smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

One cold winter night since the war, three
gentlemen set to a late hour around the stove
in the counting room of one of the party
They had been companions in arms during
the conflict that had not then long closed.
They talked of the days and times before
the war, of the "hair- breadth escapes" and
incidents of the fearful conflict. They dis
cussed also the future prospects of the ris
ing little city where they resided, and tried
to forecast its destiny. They were men of
the world; but with an eye to business and
responsibility, they discussed among other
matters the Importance of church. The
place and name their little city bore was
quite high,sOunding. 1t bore the name of a
celebrated thOrOughfare in our great north
ern metropolis; but whereas the latter de-
rived its name from its magnificent breadth
and dimensions, the city of our trio took its
name from the fact that in days gone past it
had not borne very enviable reputation for
regularity, but on the contrary was regard
ed by the thoughtful mothers of the neigh.
borhood as, to say the least, not the straight
and narrOa0 way that leadeth to better
abode. These shrewd, far-seeing, business
men came to the conclusion that it would be
better for the welfare of the community to
have a church. 1t was always more respec-
table, and then it must be an admitted fact
that community of church goevs were more
orderly and regular, and it added to the
value of real estate to have house of wor-
ship in the vicinity. As far as one at least
of these gentlemen was concerned, no higher
motive influenced him, for he did not pro-
fess to be believer in revealed religion.


Well all agreed as to the necessity of a
church, and they drew up subscription pa
per, heading the subscription, each with a
liberal sum. The thing started thus. 1t
was wealthy community, and every one
gave something, so that in few weeks
enough was realized in good subscriptions to
put the church under contract. This was
accordingly done, and the work was prompt
ly finished After this came the dedication
and the settlement of a minister, with regu-
lar Sabbath services. Soon quiet and large
congregations became regular attendants
The preaching of the faithful servant of God
who was located here was eminently blessed
and what is most worthy of note, all three
of the gentlemen who first set the enterprise
in motion became hopefully subjects of the
work of grace. Two of them are honOret
elders in this little band of earnest workers
and faithful servants of the King, and if tht
writer mistakes not, the third is an active
deacon.


There may be principle here underlying
the providence of God worthy of our study
The Centurion who, though heather By
birth and lineage, loved Gods ancient peO
pie, and built them synagogue, met will
the loving favor of Jesus, and was blessed
by visit from the Saviour and enjoyed in
member of his family the healing virtue o
the Son of God. We do not claim any meri
on the part of the gentlemen alluded to-
Their motive may have been worldly, bu
we do claim that God Disseminated in faVo


Of whatever good may have been in the ac
Year: 1876

ton; at any rate he blessed them in the dis
pensation of his favOrs, and has made them
a rich blessing to their whole community.


God is sometimes found of those who
sought him not, but the surest way to abtain
the blessing is to watch daily at mercy's
gate and wait daily at the post of his doors.


D. B. Z.
Year: 1876

The infdel hastened on to take his seat in
the cars but the simple words of that hymn
or chorus had found lodgment in his mind.
He could not drive them from his thoughts.
They were fixed. A world where there is
no sorrow This was the great idea that
filed his minds5 He dwelt upon it-revolved
it over in his thoughts. 1t was the message
by the Spirit that led him to the Saviour,
who delivers the lost and ruined from Sin
here, and raises them to that world of JOY
where sin and sorrow are unknown.
Year: 1876

IT IS RELATED OF SYDNEY SMITH that
once on entering drawing-rOOm in West


end mansion, he found it lined with mirrors
on all sides. Finding himself reflected in
every direction he said that he supposed he
was at meeting of the clergy, and there
seemed to be very respectable attendance. "
Year: 1876

A YOUNG LADY who recently renounced
Romansm, being told chat as she was born
in the Catholic Church, she ought to die in
it, promptly replied, Z" l was born in sin, but
have made up my mind not to die in it"
Year: 1876

tween him and home. No one there
Of the thousands who rested at Ft.
hearney drea!ued OF there ever being
a rail road through this then wild re
gi"n. much less The possibility of one
in less than tweu.y years. Now. from
the site Of tile old Fort may be seen
the cars Ou two roads.


Bat We cross the Plate u. this place
on n long low bridge, and after run
OF four mics we are at Kearney Junc.
ton, at which place the B. & NJ. and
Union Pacific roads join. The Platte
and islands that must be crossed here
are perhaps two and half miles wide.
but the river is almost on level with
the surrounding country; the bridge is
low, and consequently Lot very expen-
sive.


kearney Junction is young village.
but must some day be one OF much
Importance. 1t now commands n con-
siderable trade, and is situate almost
i'll the center of the State. The coun-
try to the East, West and South of the
village is a level plain, and when prop
erly cultivated will be productive. To
the North the country gradually rises,
and becomes more broken. This great
East and West thoroughfare. the
Union Pacific will always afford an
outlet for produce, and a good invest
meDt of capital along its line in Ne
braska at least.


Having travelled now across more
than one half of the State of Nebraska,
and almost entirely across the settled
portion, l am prepared to repeat, with
emphasis, what have heretofore writ
ten, that there is nothing now needed
but an industrious, enterprising popu-
lation to make Nebraska one of the
finest States in the Union. Nature has
done her share to that end, and not
many years will elapse until all this
vast territory of upland and valley will
be the happy home of an intelligent
and wealthy people. Rail Roads will
cross the country in every direction,
and be taxed to their utmost in carry
ing off the productions of this most fer
tile country. Cities, towns and vii
lagos will be at every desirable location,
and churches and school houses all
over the land will bear witness to the
intelligence and morality of the people.


INDIAN AGENT.
Year: 1876

had sympathy with his political views;
and his heroism displayed when racked
by the agony of his last illness. has in
creased the respect with which he was
everywhere regarded.


President Gran and fImilv left the
city on Stturda for Long Branch.
where he proposes remaining until Oc-
tobcr, but the White House is visited
every day by large numbers of strangers
temprarily in town.


About forty clerks Of the Treasury
Department; have taken advantage of
the proposition Of the Secretary to give
to such as would voluntarily resign, two
months pay, and have sought their bread
and butter by other avenues. But only
such as were assured by their natural
timidity, or by more tangible evidence
that their heads would come off. are
likely to yield until the lightning strikes.
OF course every clerk hopes up to the
last hour that his name is not on the
fatal list, and when the shock comes, and
they cast into the outer darkness, there
is the usual amount of weeping and
wailing observed. maxwell.
Year: 1876

UNCLE SAM HOSTS THE BLACK FLAG.-The
little speech made by Governor Tilden to
militia company in Albany on Friday is
worthy of note as his first public expression
since the nomination. The Governor
sneers at his rival as " negative" adopted
to save a system upon which the party i'll
Office has iattened. This speech Of Cover
nor Tilden is in marked contrast with that
of Governor Hayes, who went out of his
way to pay compliment to Mr.. Thurman,
who was then a prominent candidate for
the democratic nomination, and to incul-
cate harmony and good feeling in the can
yass.-N. y. Herald.
Year: 1876

WHAT WAX WOMAN Can DO.-She
can it ut the open window Of a railway
carriage a stiff notheast wind blowing in,
that chills everybody in the vicinity to the
maIro ". for two hours in Il thin muslin
dress without hinching.


She can dance or waltz down the captain
of j marching regiment, and at the eleven
o'clock supper put away lobster salad, ice
cream. champagne. cake and coffee without
iiuciiine, sufficient for weeks nightmare
e q strong man.


She can comb her hair all back so as to
leave the roots Of it to the full play Of a
December breeze. and wear bonnet on
top oI a chign0n, leaving ears and head eX-
POSED with impunity with the ther-
laometor at ten degrees below zero.


She can pull over a thousand dollars
worth Of dry goods for the investment OF
fifty cents.


She can study music for ten years sufi-
c!ently to enable her to perform eXcellently
when not in the presence Of those who de
sire to hear her.


She can balance herself on the ball other
great toe and d shoe heel the size of dime
ali day in the public streets without fal
ling.


she caH occupy three seats in horse cal
and be utterly obliyious that any of her OWL
sex are standing up.


She shows unusual strength and firmnes
in the holding of real estate, solitaire dia
mOnds, and other valuable property which
her husband places in her hands previou
10 his compromising with his creditors 70
twenty cents on a dollar-Bosto,. C6amey
c,1l Adrertser.
Year: 1876

For the first time in the history of the
government the doors of the United States
Treasury were closed on Saturday, and all
payments suspended, as there was neither
Secretary of the Treasury nor United
States Treasurer.
Year: 1876

n BEAUTIFUL SENTIMENT.-I confess that
increasing years bring increasing respect for
those who do not succeed in life, as these
words are commonly used. Heaven is
said to be place for those who have not
succeeded upon earth, and it is surely true
that celestial graces do not best thrive and
bloom i'll the hot blaze of worldly prosperity
Ill success sometimes rises from superabun-
dance of qualities in themselves good
from conscience too sensitive, Il taste too
fastidious, selfforgetfulness too romantic,
modesty too retiring. | will not go SO
far as to say. with a living poet, that the
world knows nothing of its greatest men,
but there are forms of greatness, or at least
excellence, that die and make no sign !;
there are martyrs that miss the palm, but
not the stake; there are heroes without
the laurel, and conquerors without the
| triumph.
Year: 1876

p, a PIoUs FAMILY.-Of Gov. Hayes DIR.
Iatft says in the Northern Border: ellis
Wite, whom we knew in her grlhood as
Lucy Webb, was educated at the Wesleyan
Female College ut Cincinnati, and is con
slstent member of the Methodist Church ::
ana he is himself regular attendant upon
Its services. There is one fact which we
cannot forbear to state. Though not a
professor OF religion, so far as we know, he
mas always maintained the beautiful habit
of reading the Scriptures night and morn,
ing in his family and after the chapter is
read they all kneel down and repeat the
Lords Prayer, as if they believed in God 5
providence and goodness for guidance and
protection. Should he and his estimablc
wife have the fortune of taking possession
OF the White House, we are morally certain
that each day will be opened and closed in
the same manner. = From, tie Methodist.
Year: 1876

Gen. Wool's headquarters in this city,
and dispatch was instantly re ~


ed ordering Col. Burke back to ort
Lafayette. He had not heard of the
Sheriff's attempted visit, but when
he received the dispatch he started
forthwith to obey it, wearing torn
calico dressing gown, a skull cap
and slippers, and leaving his orderly
to bring over, later, his camp cot,
uniform, coat and cap.


Since the close of the war Col.
Burke has resided continuously at
Fort Wood, on Bedloe's Island, and
when he was permanently retired
from the army, he obtained permis-
sion from the War Department to
remain there as long as he chose.
He lives almost entirely by himself,
his only indulgences being his pipe
and an occasional toddy. The
French statue Of liberty which is to
be erected on Bedloe's Island, will
occupy the site of the present fort,
and should Col. Burke live until
that work is begun, he will probably
be turned out of that particular spot,
but he will still be able to live on
his beloved island.
Year: 1876

Nice girls may be classed under
two heads-thc nice naturally, and
the nice artificially. The quality of
niceness depends much upon the
light in which it is received by the
outside world. Unless a young lady
be faultlessly beautiful, when there
can or should be no difference of
opinion, no two men entertain the
same estimate of her personal attrac-
tons. 1t is well known fact that
two people never see the same rain
bow, the individuality Of the prisms
being dependent upon the point of
vision. A mans appreciation of fe-
male loveliness may be subject to
similar influences. Let us take class
number one, the "nice naturally
Under the head we include those
young ladies gifted with beauty or
amiahility of style, or that indefua-
BILE attraction which comprehends all
these niceties, without being distin-
guishlngly prominent In any particu-
lar. These young ladies are nice
without effort. Beauty in women is
the initial charm by which mans
attention is arrested. With nothing
to back, beauty is merely a decoy for
the shallow-minded. Not that men


of sense are not often chained to
frivolous, idealess women, fond of
dress and amusement. In these cas-
es, the mans judgment has not die
tated his choice. 1t he marry a
pretty coquette, the match has prob
ably been one of convenience or
compulsion; or if, apart from all
this, he has really of his own unbi-
assed will selected a fllrt, il IS one of
those freaks of nature which, as
Dundreary says, mo feflah can un-
derstand." Heart has conquered
brain and warped Judgment. And
then woman may be pretty, hollow
and vain, and yet be sufficiently
clever actress to deceive, by the aid
of her superficial charms, many who
fancy themselves shrewd judges Of
Year: 1876

HOPS are considered valuable as
fertilizer, but when used fresh from
the brewery they ferment quickly,
generating almost as much heat as
fresh horse manure. The gardeners
about New York use hops for their
hot beds, also for banking them up
on the outside in cold weather,
mulching for small tender plants and
for composing with other less-heat-
kinds of fertilizers. But before hops
can be absorbed by plants as tertil-
izer they must become soluble in
water, the same as any other kind of
manure. Consequently, the more
thoroughly decomposed before ap-
plying the sooner will they be used
by the growing plants. Still the
hops mixed in the soil may have a
mechanical or chemical influence
highly beneficial, independent o.
their manurial value.-Moore's R1'
al.
Year: 1876

Don't stop to tell stories in business
hours.


If you have place OF business be
found there when wanted.
No man can get rich by sitting around
stores and saloons.
Never fool" in business matters.


Have order, system, regularity, and
also promptness.


Do not meddle with business you know
nothing of.


Do not kick every one in your path.
/ More miles can be made in day by
going steadily than by stopping.


Pay as you go.
A man of honor respects his word as he
does his bond.


Help others when you can, but never
give what you cannot afford to, simply
because it is fashionable.


Learn to say no. No necessity of snap
ping it out dog-fashion, but say it firmly
and respectfully.


Use your own brains rather than those
of others.


Learn to think and act for yourself.
Keep ahead rather than behind the
times.


Young man, cut this out, and if there
be any fallacy in the argument let vi
know.
Year: 1876




one time assumed formidable proper
tions, embracing, as it did, nearly all the
Northern States of the Republic, and
seeming to be thoroughly organized, is
practically at an end. The defeat of the
revolutionary forces in Oaxaca, on the
29th of May, with loss of two thousand
men in killed and wounded, is blow
from which the revolutionists will not
recover. The day preceding this inn
portant battle was marked by another
defeat for the revolutionists in Tiaxcala.
The steady advance of the government
forces northward and eastward has been
unbroken by single reverse. AT every
point where the revolutionists have
made stand they have been broken and
scattered like chaff. 1t is fortunate for
the Administration and the country that
this attempt to plunge the Republic
into anarchy and give it over to the wild
ambition of military chieftains, whose
main occupation would be to dispossess
each other, has ended in speedy and dis
astrous failure. Prior to this attempt
Mexico was assuming the character of a
country in which law is enforced, au-
thority maintained, and stability in
sured. There had been marked i'm
proyement in the social and industrial
condition of the people. Schools had
been opened in all the States. and the
children receiving that education with
out which representative government
can not long endure. Railroads that
had lsng remained uncompleted, owing
to the chaotic state of the country, were
completed, and new projects formed.
The financial condition and credit OF
the government had steadily improved.
Revenues were collected with reasonable
promptness and regularity, and the obli-
cations of the nation met with punctu-
atty exceptional in Mexico. The annual
budget made a favorabl impression
upon all interested in Mexican securities,
and the creditors of the Republic saw
remote prospects of return for invest
ments long since made and well nigh
despaired of. These evidences of ma
tional progress were but indices of indi-
vidual prosperity. The fresh revolution
threatened the pleasing prospect with
ruin; but, happily, the steps taken by
the administration to put it down have
been wisely considered and effective
Indeed, so quickly have the revolution
lists gone down before its advancing
forces, that there is reason to doubt
whether the revolution had, as was at
one time represented, a strong hold upon
the sympathies of the people of the
States where there seemed to be the
greatest disafection. And now we shall
presently hear of the revolutionary
leaders flying across the Rio Grande, ol
escaping to the West Indies, to save
their necks from the halter they merit;
for to try them by eourtmartial and
shoot them would be distinction they
do not deserve.
Year: 1876




Maggie White, of Cohoes, July 5, 1874,
was found drowned in the Mohawk
River, caught in the cable that hangs
suspended from shore to shore on the
south side of the bridge that spans that
stream at echoes. Maggie was charm
ing girl-a reigning belle-and when it
wasdeveloped that she was enceinte, sus-
picion fastened upon Marshall Rich, who
had been very attentive to and intimate
with the girl, and the inference was that
he, knowing her condition, had muir
dered the victim to hide the evidence of
his guilt and shame. At the inquest the
evidence was very conflicting, and the
cornoner's jury returned their verdict:
''That Maggie White came to her death
on or about the 9th of June, 1874, by
violence at the hands of some person
other than herself, and in our opinion
Marshall Rich was implicated in the
causing of the death of said Maggie
White" After the finding of the verdict
by the jury, Coroner John Fleming gave
the case into the hands of the district
attorney, but as no more evidence could
be adduced than that furnished at the
inquest, there not being enough to war
rant Rich's arrest the case went by de-
fault. The sequel is as follows: Miss
O'Hare, of Cohoes, is in correspondence





with some friends in Illinois, and she re-
ceived paper published in that locality
containing an accsunt of the death Of
Marshall Rich, and the story of his con-
iession of the murder while on his death
bed. He recoupts his criminal intimacy
with Maggie, and says that the knowl-
edge troubled him, as he was not in fit
condition to marry her. On the evening
of the 9th of June, he met her shortly
after she returned from Troy, and, as
usual when the met, they walked and
conyersed together. After walking some
time some strange fatality led them in
the direction of the high railroad bridge,
and still they strolled along, she little
dreaming of danger. AS they neared
the middle of the bridge, she con6dingly
leaning on his arm, she on the south side
of the walk and nearest to the edge, at
once the damnable notion seized him
with irresistible force that by throwing
her from the bridge he could in one briei
moment end at once his care and relieve
his mind of the anxiety as to the conse-
quences of their illicit love. The idea
once conceived was Immediately put into
execution, and, releasing her hold on his
arm, with sudden push he threw hei
from the parapet of the bridge, and with
smothered shrek her form sank into
the turbid waters of the Mohawk. He
watched few brief moments the spot
where she disappeared from view, to see
if she again would rise to the surface
but his watching was in vain; he never
saw her again until he gazed upon the
bloated and disfgured corpse of his vic
tim, and lost no time in again returning tC
Ovid. As no one had seen him in thu
city during the two days previous to tht
murder, he hoped to escape suspicion
At last, taken sick and stricken with
death, he felt that he must relieve hi
conscience of the weight imposed upol
it since the commission of the crime
Hence the confession of the murder tina
forever sets at rest all speculation as t.
how the beautiful Maggie White cam
to her death in the waters of tn
Mohawk.
Year: 1876

GENTLEMEN's suits for travelling and
business are of plaided goods-and to
cut very swell" appearance are large
and rather light and conspicuous in
color. The trowsers are very wide and
straight. The vest is single breasted,
made without collar and high in the
neck. The coat is cut away and has
patch pockets"


NOTHING can exceed the anxiety felt
by that man who has been left to take
care of the house during an afternoon,
with instructions to see that the bread in
the oven don't burn and that the cat
doesn't get at the canary, while at the
same time he is obliged to keep the neigh
ber's hens from scratching up the garden
seeds.


SOME old friend says, /" Get up with
the sun if you want to be healthy and
wise" 1t is easy enough to follow this
advice in the winter, when the sun acts
sensibly, and doesn't get up until seven
O'Clock; but when he commences to get
up at four o'clock, we have observed that
the wisest men give him about two hours
start, and let their wives accumulate
health and wisdom.
Year: 1876

NOVEL ScRUBBING BRUSHES. = In
Jamaica, where oranges are drug in the
market, they scrub floors with them.
1t was done at the house of friend of
the writer's. The floor was of hard, pol
ished wood, and, before the family were
out of bed, two or three colored servants
scrubbed over the whole of it with sour
oranges, cut in halves. When the juice
was rubbed out of one piece, they would
take another, and they used upa big
trayful of them. A polish was put on
by rubbing with cocoanut husk, and the


floor looked as if it had been waxed.
Year: 1876

NORWICH Bulletin: Woman" said
the fat man on the cracker barrel, reAec-
lively, woman is like boil. When
another man has her we laugh at him ;
when we have her ourself we cherish and
protect her." He seemed to be man OF
pure and lofty sentiment, and when he
said he guessed he'd go home and give
his wife a chance to do the chores, every
body respected him.
Year: 1876

A CLERGYMAN was turned down !"
at fashionable spelling-bee for spelling
drunkenness with one en-" Shortly
afterwards he returned to his parish, and
found himself very coldly received by
his parishioners. He sent for the parish
clerk and asked him what was the cause.
"Well, sir" replied the man, ga report
has come down here that you was turned
out of great lady's house in London
or drunkenness" M