smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

The accidents that have frequently hap
pened and the warnings that newspapers
give constantly seem never to impress
some people with the fact that leopards
and their kind have claws, and under GER
tain circumstances are apt to use them. 1t
was not long ago that the Herald an
nOunced the terrible tearing of the hand OF
a young man at the Central Park menage-
rie, while pettiDg a lion, against the adj
vice of one Of the keepers, and yesterday
another accident, similar, except that the
animal that inflicted the injury was
black Java leopard, instead of a lion, is to
be recorded. At Barnum's Hippodrome,
and near the entrance, going in from
Madison Avenue, stands the cage that
holds the performing animals, consisting
of lion and lioness, Brazilian tiger, a
spotted leopard. and the black Java leop-
ard mentioned above. The collection is
fine one, and greatly admired by those
who attend the place. Yesterday after
noon young man who had been intently
watching the man who takes care OF the
animals patting the black leopard, con-
cluded that he would undertake the same
pleasant duties. Waiting until the keeper
had turned his back, he crept under the
iron bar and thrust his hand in the cage.
1t came out, however, quicker than it
went in, and in the NEST deplOrable con-
diiiOn, being nearly torn off by the claws
of the infuriated brute. This little feat,
however, did not satisfy the animal. She
began to storm up and down the cage. and
terribly excited the rest of the animals that
were confined with her, and finally, in one
of her desperate efforts, she severed some
of the wire laciDgs that are put against the
bars to cOnfine her more securely; and in
the next moment she stood free in the
promenade. Her long, black, 1.-the body,
gliding around with as little noise as a SER
pent would make, was soon noticed by the
other animals, and then the opera CON-
menced. Dan and Pomp, the two great
African lions, opened first their bass
voices, and were soon followed i'll concert
by the howl of the hyena, and the below
ing of the sacred bull and water buffalo.
Every animal in the p ace, it seemed, took
hand in the frolic, and finally hand in
was taken by the keeper of the leopard.
She, however, did not seem so tractable as
usual, and showed fight, and might have
made it rather ugly for the keeper. had
not an unexpected appearance been put in
at that moment by Master Jack, the bull
terrier dog, whose cOuntenance is familiar
to all who visit the Hippodrome. The dog
at once made dash for the leopard and
seized him by the throat, and though the
struggle was fearful one, Jack managed
to retain his hold until the animal was Sc
cured. The keeper was cut about the
hands in the struggle, but not badly in
jured, and it is lucky thing, perhaps,
that no performance was going Oh at the
time.-Rss1 York Herald.
Year: 1875

Booker, of Plymouth County, Iowa,
was widower of 40, and is a plOdding,
independent farmer. Booker is a man of
business. He used to live in Sioux City.


While there he fell into an excavation,
and recovered S400 damages for slight in
juri received, when he moved to Ply
mouth County, where there were fewer
dead-falls. Gut his wife died, and left him
in bad fix. He must have hOusekeeper,
and he had no time to fool away. He
wanted cheap article. too. so he resolved
to marry one and have her for good or
bad, as she might turn out. He went to
Sioux City and called on an old friend, to
whom he stated his desperate case. The
friend told him where there was large
room full of sewing-girls, and thought he
might take his pick out of the lot The
idea pleased Booker. He went straight to
the millinery establishment and told the
conductresS his pressing business. She
was amused, and said: There they are,
take your pick" Booker went round
among the beauties with a palpitating
heart. He casually dropped, in answer to
their inquiring glances, that he was look
ing for hOusekeeper. One Ortwo slgnl-
fled their willingness to do housework,
and asked: What wages?" Booker then
llldJ IlC w iOOklIlO lOi wiz.
That altered the case, and the girls red
dened and warmed up to their work.
Booker picked ont the reddest one, and
asked her if she would give him mo-
ment's conversation in private. She blush
ingly consented, and the two retired to
little back room. Only few min
utes elapsed when the couple came out
with a confused sort of air, for they
knew the whole shop was looking
at them. The young girl started OF
in furry and hurry. Booker said she
had consented to become his wife, pro-
vided she could get the consent OF her
parents, and she had gone after it. He
had also referred her to several OF the
leading business men of the city. respect


ing his points of character and ability to
entertain wife and rear family. Booker
went to his hotel to await further develop
Eents, The next day physician OF Sioua
Year: 1875

A tremendous and destructive gas ex-
plosion occurred shortly before o'clock
last evening, in Great Lister Street, Bir-
mingham. So far as can be ascertained,
there has been leakage from the water
mains in the street for some time past and
this caused subsidenee of the soil Of the
roadway, forming a cavity beneath the
surface. 1t is believed that the sinking of
the earth tore away a seryice-pipe from
tie main of the Birmingham and Stat
fordshire Gas Company, AID thus large
escape of gas took place. The gas which
had accumulated in this cavity and in the
sewer adjacent, it is believed, was fired by
a person throwing a lighted iuse into a
hole which had formed in the roadway.
Instantaneously terrible explosion took
place, followed by two other explosions at
other parts of the street, right and left.
At he scene of the central explosion the
earth was torn up, and shortly a chasm %
feet in diameter and feet in depth was
formed. The other explosions took place
at manholes connected with the sewer,
the covers of which were blown away and
the pavement torn up. Many Of the


houses and shops in the neighbOrhoOd


have been severely damaged, aud four or
five persons have sustained injuries more


or less seYere.-LiverpooL Post, Dec. 10
Year: 1875

A NEAR-sIGHTED man was riding in a
Woodward Avenue car the other day,
when lady opposite bowed to him. He
returned the bow, raised his hat, smiled
sweetly, and was just wondering who she
was, when she came over and whispered
in his ear: ''Oh! I'll fix you for this, old
mani" Then he knew it was his wife,
Detroit Free Press.
Year: 1875




The gamblers laughed heartily at this
manifestation Of wit on the part of the
landlord, who shortly afterward joined
them on the porch, butrefuSed 10 give any
particulars concerning the holes he had
Just finished.


The breakfast bell was rung soon after
ward, when the boarders pushed into the
dining-hall. While they were busily en-
gagged in satisfying their hunger, Dolly
entered the room, made his way TO the
head of the table, laid pair of silver
mounted revolvers in front of him, then
clearing his throat with an ''ahem," said :
"GENTL LEMEN: When l decided upon
building this tavern, / had an idea that !
knew how to keep hotel, and dog me ef
| amt jess dern fool enough 10 believe that
| kin do it yet, notwithstanding that many
of you have been giving me pretty
rough deal. furnish jess as good meal
as the country produces my rooms are
kept in good order; and no man kin say
that he has ever gone away from my house
| hungry. To do this have TO draw upon
my own resources, because many of you
have failed to pay me. NV, can't keep
! hotel if I'm hectored this way. have
always tried to be on the square in this
Year: 1875




STATE BoNDs-Quiet.


SToCKs-Quiet, with tho exception of
Lake Shore and Western Union; the
market through the greater part of the
day has been dull. After II o'clock there
was lively demand for Rock Island and
New York Central, which advanced one
per cent. During the afternoon there
was general dropping of, particularly
in Erie and Western Union. Pacific
Mail strong; it is stated that the company
has made contract with the Burlington
Coal Mine ON Puget Sound for the trans
portation of the product of the mine and
also for supply Of coal for the COM
psnys steamers at the rate Of $3.50 per
ton at the mine, which will make saw
ing of about 40 per cent in the cost Of
fuel; in addition the company has closed
a contract with the Government Of Brit
ish Columbia for carrying the mails and
received II subsidy of SO 600 per annum.
Tie transactions Oh the Stock Exchange
were $1,000 shares, of which 5000 were
Pacific Mail 10000 Western Union, 5000
Rock Island and 1900 Lake Shore.
Year: 1875

CHICAGO, July PA man of about
so and woman Of IS years old were found
drowned in the lake at Waukegan yer
terday. They had b,en lettering about
the place on Saturday and were entirely
unknown in this vicinity. 1t is sup
posed that they deliberately committed
suicide by walking into the water
Year: 1875

The Danbury Netcs says: hnocklhg
worm nests from apple trees is a common
occupation at present. In impetuousIy
removing nest from tree on Spring
street, Yesterday, two of the worms fell
outside the nest, and went down the neck
of the woman who was watching the op-
Grafton. She emitted II piercing scream
and went plunging under the trees utter
ing shrek after shrek. The husband,
knowing nothing of the cause OF the out
break, very di,creetly took to the cellar
and crawled back ofa cider.vinegar bar
rel to wait for the disappearance OF what
he firmly believed to be a serious attack
of insanity. The unfortunate woman


pranccd and screamed until she DrougEt
together some sixty five ncighbors Of her
own sex, who were determined to afford
her Immediate relief until they learned
what was the matter, when they precip'
itatelv retired outside the fence, but


showed there was no abatement of their
sympathy by asking her, individually
and unitcdly, why she didn't take the
dreadful thing out. AT this juncture MIR.
Rouse the baker, drove by, and he soon
restored peace with the aid of two OF the
most courageous neighbors. The hu'-
band now Unexpectedly appeared from
the cellar, and explained his course by
saving that he had on his best coat and
was afraid she would tear it in her fury.
Year: 1875

Rumors prevailed yesterday in the absence OF any
proceedings in the Beecher trial that one of the par
ties to the suit had withdrawn, and that there
would necessarily follow discontinuance of the
case The rumors doubtless grew out of the reports
which have prevailed for several days to the effect
that one of the principal counsel had resolved to
withdraw in consequence of the neglect to his other
business which attendance for two months in the
Brooklyn Court had caused. He had been induced,
however, to remain in the case, and will doubtless
conduct it to the close.
Year: 1875

peculiar by telling the private matters of the
counsel"


The whole of the "True Story" has never been
published in other than q disconnected and almost
uninteliGbe form Its Importance to the clear
comprehension of the warrants lis publication
as below. in correct shape.
Year: 1875

Harrisburg, Pa, March l6.-The
House bill to repeal the local option law
passed the Senate on the third reading
to-Gay, with a stringent license law
added, and sent back to the House for
concurrence. 1t is thought the House
will not accept the bill, and the local
option will stand.
Year: 1875

GAMBLING IN WASHINGTON Senator
Sherman's bill concerning gambling in the
District of Columbia has turned attention
in Washington to that subject The
Chronicle has the following:


The passion for gambling, and its effects
on the character of those who become
fascinated with its alurcmen:s. is the
frequent occasion of misery and ruin.


The story so generally circulated in the
press Of tho scenes at gambling. house in
this city few nights since, when a prom.
inent citizen lost large sum of money,
and his remorse and grief at the life he
was leading,is not an unusual occurrence.
One OF the keepers of a gambling house,
on being questioned concerning his life,
among other things said :


81 have been in this business about ten
years. Have had about 100000. i'll
should add all that had to-day together
it would not amount to $4,000. Whu,
good does money do me? may be rich
to-day and pauper tomorrow. No as
sociates but gamblers Ind prostitutes
What prospect have before me? A
miserable old hulk, at forty five years al
the longest. l have a home, father, moth.
err sister. aud brother"


Then he spoke about the life of fallen
woman. Some girls say they have an
easy, gay life, which is not true. 1t is
the most miserable life that is led. lie
adds


II am glad to have you come 10 here
aud see us, but don't waste time on us.
There are great many young men who
are just commencing taking little wine,
going to bad houses, gambling a little.
They don't realize what it will lead to
Speak to them. They have situations,
and there is chance for them to reform
But for us. the chances to be better men
men and to enjoy what any man who
lives an honest life does. arc few. Ny
God if knew that my sister and my
brother were to live this kind of life |
would shoot them"


This man knew what no was talking
about, because he had had ten years ex.
pericnce. And be meant al! that he said.
Year: 1875

the great Christian tragedy to the com.
monplace of spectacular drama. The
time is rapidly coming - provided, of
course, that those who have the theater
in charge stand, as good men and women,
by their obligations to the public, and
uphold the dignity Of their art-when
Christians will seek amusement in their
presence, from their performances when
they will discriminate between theaters
as they do between novels, and when the
premium Of their presence and patronage
will be offered to those who serve them
conscientiously.


As q people, we have no such super.
huitY Of amusements and recreations that
we can afford to hold one under ban, that
is in itself harmless and legitimate. We
work under great pressure and need much
more recreation than we can get. If
man thus pressed feels that a pure dra.
matte representation refreshes him, no
ought to be at liberty to avail himself of
it, and the time is certainly coming when
he will do so. The histrionic art is as lie.
gitimate as any art, and any man or wo.
man who practices it worthily and well,
deserves our honorary, our honor and
our sympathy, for the art.life is a hard
life to live under any circumstances. To
be obliged to rely for livelihood upon
the platdits of the multitude, and TO be
subject to the caprices of the press and
the public, and the jealousies that are in.
separable from all art-life, is hardship
from which the bravest man and woman
may we'll shrink. If, among those who
have SO many temptations to strike low
key that they may at least please "the
groundings, there is considerable nun.
Der who appeal to the nobiities ofhuman
nature, let us give them our hands and
help them to build up pure taste in the
public mind. We have only TO remember
that it is with US, that it will stay, and
that the church has great responsibility
concerning the stage Of the future. If it
supposcs that condemning it at streets
length, and Unfortunately, will dis
charge its duty, it will find itself sadly
mistaken DR.. J. G. Holland
Year: 1875

In Missouri, the Legislature. composed
Of strong majority of Democrats, has
apparently determined to abolish
the free school system ard to encour-
age sectarian educational institutions.
The effect of this is not at first apparent
but it will virtually give the control of
the schools of the State to the Roman
Catholic Church. OF course the adhe.
rents Of that Church will do all in their
power to second the efforts OF tho Demo.
Gratis in the direction Indicated, and strive
generously to sustain the ascendancy in
local politics of the party which in other
States, has played so successfully into the
hands Of the priests,
Year: 1875

SPURIOUS RELIGIOUS PEAcE.-It is il
religion as it is in science, when all ques
tions are answered all thought is ended
1t is doubt, not belief, that leads to in
vestigation, and so drives the menta
machinery of the world. Put an end tt
doubt, hush questioniugs, settle all thing
by an arbitrary dictum, and you hav,
peace, but it is the peace of inaction, the
peace of death. To answer all question,
that haunt the religious soul with any
positiyoncss is impossible but there arc
enough who pretend to answer them, who
by somo wizard spell. have get beyond
our sight, and acquainted themselves with
the secrets of tho hidden world. They
know God 80 well that they will paint his
picture. The plan Of the universe is all
open to them, and they tell what the AL.
mightys original calculations we're, how
he has modified his projects from time tc
time, just what scheme is now being put
hrough,-they give you the geography
Of the other world, picturing, With infinite
minuteness of detail, purgatory, heaven
and nell. The effect of these afIirmatiors
upon those who receive them as inal, is
the same as though they were final. 1t
is said they give the believer marvellous
quietness Of spirit. But is this quetness
such very desirable condition Is it
the condition out of which the best results
will come TO the soul Incidence, relief
from toll for mind and body. drowsy list.
lcssness, is an agreeable enough state tc
be in. but it is not the state 10 which
Doblest achievement is reached. No more
is urquestionablo peace of mind the
ground on which the manifest virtue is
grown.


We need not fret, we need not be
wretched because so much is yet dark to
us. Amidst all our pcrplexities and
doubts, there is iD our souls an eternal
certainty, and mistaken sense that all is
well-that however blind we may be,
there is an Eye that sees; however We
may falter, Hand that guides. Every
seeking of ours, every wish to pry into
unknown, is more than hint that there
is something there to be sought, Every
question has somewhere an answer and
however we mag be baflcd in our at.
tcmpts to find it, We may always bo sure
it is good one.
Year: 1875

WASHINGTON, Oct 3O.-The following is elected
from the very highest source


Considerable interest is manifested here in the
coming election in Mississippi, regarding the
matter of full protection OF the public peace in
that State on election day. All the advices that
have been received here by agents Of the govern
ment upon this subject have been favorable and
Geographic dispatch were received by
the Attorney General this morning
from representatives of the department
Of justice now in Mississippi rei;erating the i'm
pressions heretofore sc.t, that the pacific
arrangements that have been made by the op-
posing political organizations in the State will be
fully carried out. Inasmuch as the authorities
of the General Government have been assiduous
in arranging for a peaceable election, every pre-
caution has been taken to secure it, and there
are assurances that everything is in readiness to
compel obedience to law and order should, un-
fortunately, necessity arise for any such inter-
ence on the day of the election.


SAN Francisco, Oct. 80 The proceedings of
the Bulletin and Cal libel have commenced. The
court has under advisement molten to strike
out the com plaint and everything relating to the
Bank OF California which would debar the BuI-
letin from presenting evidence justifyng It's re-
ports,
Year: 1875

From Philadelphia comes n story of
brutal treatment to an old man nearly
seventy-five years of age, by his son,
secondhand clothes dealer, in one of the
slums of the city. The old man had
about 5000, which the son succeeded in
getting hold of, and soon the father dis
appeared. The police got wind of the
affair and made a search about the
premises for the missing man. The son
was asked what he had in his cellar, and
he Immediately replied that he was keep
ing his dogs there, but denied that his
aged father was imprisoned in the
wretched hole. This denial, however,
did not satisfy the officers, and they con
cluded to explore the cellar for them
selves. The door was unlocked and the
two officers went down into the Gimme
rian darkness. They had provided them
selves with a candle, fortunately, and
struck a light. The white-haired old
man was discovered lying upon rotten
straw mattress in one corner of the black
hole, in a terrible plight. The atmos-
phere of the damp abode was staggering
and poisonous, there being no ventilation
in any nook or corner.


Around him was a pack of savage
dogs, while the dirt floor was strewn
with bones and half-eaten plucks in an
advanced stage of decomposition, and
emitting a horrifying stencil. The un-
natural son had not q word of apology
10 utter in extenuation of the cruel usage
of his father, but the latter complained
bitterly. The son was ordered TO take
his parent out of the dog pit, which he
did. Not satisfied with the persecution
he had already inflicted, the son took
the old man across the street TO an empty
house which he had rented, and locked
him up in it. There was no bed in it
for him to sleep upon, no chair upon
which to sit, 10 light to dispel the night
ly gloom, and no companionship but the
huge rats which thrive in great commu-
mites among the shambles and dens of
the street. In this miserable rookery
the old man existed for three days and
nights, his son taking him water and
cold scraps of victuals once day with
which TO ward off starvation. Finally,
another son. who had heard of the fiend-
ish treatment which the old man was
receiving, came and took him away to
his home in West Philadelphia.
Year: 1875

The Bridgeport (Ct.) Farmer says
that city possesses wonderful material
izing medium. The story is as follows:
1t was only few weeks ago that the
person to whom we refer became con-
scious of his peculiar powers, but since
his discovery he has continued to exer-
else them and they have rapidly devel-
oped. Thus far the seances have been
held in the presence of n small party of
his acquaintances, in darkened room,
which, with the exception of small
table, is utterly destitute of furniture.
No believer in spiritualism had yet at
tended these sittings, so that it cannot
be said that any of his audience were un-
duly prepared to give credence to the
genuineness of the manifestation, and
yet all of the spectators with whom we
have conversed are convinced that there
was no collusion or trickery in the effects
produced. One of the remarkable feats
performed by the spirits is the bringing
upon.the table supply of fresh tropical
flowers. The flowers exhale beautiful
fragrance, are fresh with dew, and of
varieties which cannot be produced in
this vicinity. The members of the circle
the other evening were also regaled with
splendid cigars dropped upon the table
by spirit visitors, and the medium him
self was refreshed a day or two ago with
n plate of ice cream furnished by the
same mysterious agency. The medium
can also materialize the spirits so that
they become visible to those in the room.
The spirits also play on musical instru-
ments and write messages on the wall
and table, which to the ordinary observ-
ers are mere hieroglyphics, but to the
spiritual vision of the medium are really
Ineligible" "
Year: 1875

For years l have been almost daily
besieged by able bodied mon asking for
food, and not being able to discriminate
between worthy persons and professional
beggars, have invariably given to all, on
the principle that it is better TO feed
some who are unworthy than that the
innocent and honest should go hungry.
Within few months l became almost
convinced that information was com
municated from one tramp to another
where to call for their meals, and L de-
termined to try another method, which
has worked admirably so far. Iset every
one To work now who calls for food,
and when he has worked as long as L
think is just, he gets his meal. No one
has yet refused to work, but from pres
ent indications l need not flatter myself
much on the amount of work | shall get
done this way. They very seldom give
me call. | have work planned i'll adj
vance for all comers, and they have
probably heard of the new METHOD
Cor. Now York Tfi6uae.
Year: 1875

IRON beds and furniture, artistically
worked. and by a new system of paint
ing. initiating perfectly rosewood, are TO
be one of the chief contributions of Italy
at the Centennial Fair.