smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1871

TIE KING ACCEPTS THE IMPERIAL CRowN-
The King of Prussia has issued this in procla-
nation:


/" In consequence of an appeal of the German
Princes and Free Towns for us to restore the
German Empire, after the lapse of sixty years,
we announce we consider it our duty to Father
land to accept the Imperial dynasty Hence
forth we and our successors will bring to the IT,
tie of Emperor, the hope that God will vouch-
safe blissful future to Fatherland, and under
our auspices its ancient splendor We under
take the task, conscious of our duty to pre-
serve with German fidelity the rights of the En-
pire and its members, to maintain the peace and
support and strengthen the independence of Ter
many in the hope that the German people will
reap 10 a lasting peace within our boundaries
the fruits of our bloody battles and be safe
against the renewal of French attacks. God
grant we and our successors may protect the
empire, not with war-like conquest, but by
words of peace, freedom and civilization"
Year: 1871

How VANDERBILT SrARTED.-Every little while
the newspapers contain an account of Wander
bilt's beginning, Most of these accounts are
apocryphal. His own statement of his first real
success is this He was young man on Staten
Island. He was master of rowing. He was ath-
letic, strong and daring One night a stranger
came to the landing and wanted to be rowed
over to Gowauus The night was dark and
stormy, and the wind blew gale Not boat
man could be found who would leave The
landlord said " There is no body who can row
you over but Con. Vanderbilt for so he was
called. 1t was doubtful, he said whether he
would do it. Vanderbilt was found and in an
swer to the request replied; "It's pretty rough,
but if you'll give me ten dollars lay down in
my boat, and not stir, and do just what bid
you, Pll try it." He rowed the man over and
back in safety. As soon as he landed at Staten
Island the stranger said Young man, how
would you like to run an opposition steamboat ?'
"Nothng would suit me BETTER" was the reply
" Have you pluck enough to obey orders p said
the stranger. 81 have" was the response
:" Suppose | was to tell you to run into steam
boat, what would you do Y' "Run into her,
by" The bargain was sealed amid the
storm that night on the island, and Vanderbilt
entered ON his well-known career as a steam
boat man.-Neao York. Letter.
Year: 1871

Although the following anecdote is an old
one, we do not remember ever having seen it in
these columns, but believe it will bear repeating
anyhow. 1t originally appeared several years
ago, in the columns of the Rockford Chief:


Last July, at the close of one of them hot
days, two "lovyers" might have been seen
seated upon the roof of one of our beautiful cot
tages, which is fiat and covered with gravel and
pitch, after the manner of our city bridge Yes,
there they sat


Through the few hours the happy moment few,
So warm with heart, so rich with love they flew,
That their full souls forgot the will to roam,
And rested there as in dream at home"


The sun during the day had been very warm,
and thus they met to spend the heetng hours of
twilight enjoying the pleasant breeze that hoated
up from the garden beneath. AS the evening
grew cooler they g hitched up nearer together,
and gently "squoze" each others hands, and ali
passed quietly and lovingly until the bell tolled
midnight,


"None but the loving and beloved
Should be awake at this sweet hour"
| The tolling of the bell reminded them that
"Tired natures sweet restorer balmy Sleep"
was requisite for lovers as we'll as others.
Seated near eaah other, the plighted vows were
again and again exchanged and sealed with
kisses, like


Linked sweetness long drawn out"
AT length, after many vain attempts to sever
these pleasant pleasures, the transported pair
found that they were bound to each other by
more sticking bonds than lovers VOWS. The
hot sun had melted the pitch, and after sitting
so long, and the night air having cooled the
resinous matter, they found they were both
''stuck fast" The young gentleman first at
tempted to disengage himself, but found, like
| "Aunt Jemmts plaster,
The more You try to pull it of
1t only sticks the faster"
The young lady then ATTEMPTED to get up,
which she did, minus the skirt of her dress and
all her under-clothes as far as the pannier we be-
lieye that's what they call it. In this plight she
attempted to relieve her disconsoated partner,
but it was of no use-he couldn't come. After
some parey he came to the conclusion that he
could manage it by slipping off his pants. Ac-
cordly, he asked of his companion if she could
lend him another pair until he could go home.
She thought her pas would do if they were not
too long. With this information he slipped of
his boots, and, loOsenng his suspenders, drew
himself out of his pants as easily possible,
and the disconsolate couple took themselves
down stairs in very bushing manner, and
looked very much like our first parents when
they discovered their need of fig leaves The
lady procured, as quietly as possible, pair of
her fathers pants, which were run into pretty
quickly, and the Adonis decamped with them
rolled up about six inches.


Moral-Before sitting down to spark on a
pitch roof, always grease the seat of your panta-
| looms.
Year: 1871

THROUGH telegraphy, it has been ascertaned
that all the storms in this State during the pres
ent Winter, have commenced at the North and
travelled South, Notwithstanding the fact that at
the time of their occurrence South wind was
blowing next the earth.
Year: 1871

man in Brsin:ree, Mass, exclaimed on
Tuesday that his fortune was made when he
was told that his wife had presented him
with four fine boys at birth. And he is
very worthy man, too, the Boston Journal
Year: 1871

Three hundred and thirteen applications
for divorce were brought before the New
Hampshire Supreme Court last wear Two
hundred and twenty two were decided,
divorce being granted in one hundred and
fiftv seven cases
Year: 1871

There is q horrible suggestion In brief
paragraph in q California paper, wherein
arc told that a wild duck, with the skin
nnbroken, and apparently healthy, was
found to be full ofparasises, Sin the form of
Year: 1871

NEW 7 ORk, May 10.


Its announced from Washington that
the first bonds of the new five per cent
loan will be ready for the signature Of the
Register of tho Treasury this morning.
They will also be ready for delivery 10
the subscribers after to-day, as rapidly as
they can be prepared and forwarded by
the Department. The subscriptions
made good progress last week, and now
amount altogether to Se4,477,05O.
Year: 1871

sPlease, Sir, Give Me just One Penny s,,-


Boy Tn Years Of Age Sent Into the
Street TO Keep His Mother in silks and


safins.


Among the prisoners arraigned before Justice
Cox al the Jefferson Market Police Court yesterday
morning, during the discharge OF the watch re.
turns, was o dirty, ragged little urchin, ten
years Of age, named William Houghton, whose
hair presented the appearance Of being total
stranger to brush or comb. Oicer Stewart, OF the
Sixteenth precinct, appeared as complainant against
the lad, ana preferred charge OF vagrancy against
him. The officer stated that every night
during the incement weather OF the past
winter the youth had been seated in front
Of the Grand Opera House. on STOOL
with small basket Of haZelnuts, suspended to
which was large Tin sign requesting the passers
by TO purchase the poor boys wares as he was CON-
PEELED to support an invalid mother, who had been
cruelty deprived OF her property in New Orleans in
1862 by some partes and turned into the streets to
starve


Captain McDermott surmising the lad was forced
to Sit there IN order to support party parties
in idleness ordered officer Stewart to arrest him
and convey HIM TO the station house In order TO
ascertain his pedigree The boy had been wei! drilled
and refused TO tell where he resided or anything in
reference to ms domestic affairs. Yesterday morn
Ing, as the officer was preferrlng his complaint, a
rustllng OF silk was heard in the court room, and
the form OF TALL good looking female strobe up in
front OF the Judges bench, and placing small
delicate white hand which was ornamented
with four large, expensive gold rings, on the head
OF the shlverlng ragged urchin. stated he
was her child. The Judge looked astounded at be-
holding the contrast before him. the mother being
dressed In mink iurs an expensive velvet sacque
and other apparel to correspond She pleaded to
take her son home with her. but the Justice refused
ana committed him to the care Of the Commission
ers OF Public Charities and Correction where he
Will be furnished with comfortable nome.


AZ the boy was going down into the prison the
mother remarked that II her was a foreigner he
would soon be released, but as he was native born
she supposed he would have to suffer. This remark
came very near costing her trip to Blackwels g
Island. Finding she could not prevail upon the
Justice to return her her son. she produced large
roll of greenbacks from her pocket and offered to
pay any price from $40 up to 800 II she could have
her boy returned to her.
Year: 1871

The Cuddy Coterie assembled In force last evening
at Irving Hail. The handsome Alderman, after
whom the organization is named, was present IN
portrait and In the ncsh and received the csngratu-
latiOns or his myriad friends with his usun becOu-
Ing mOdesty Colonel Funk had all the necessary
arrangements provided 10 make the affair pleasant,
and that was so can be fully sustained by ANYBODY
who was present
Year: 1871

Iron the San Francisco News Lsttsr.1


10 an impartial outsider-and we are an
impartial outsider-the present condition
OF our national politics is eminently pleas
ing The attitude of the Republican party
has always been so, either in the sense Of
satisfactory or in the sense of diverting,
and bow the Democratic attitude is mildly
absurd. The wizard Vallaudigham wav-
ed his wand and opportunely dies, and 10
the Great Pugnacity struck hands with
is mouthing opponent, mounting squarsly
upon his platform to do It. The " new
departure" is forcibly suggestive of the
sudden waking of man who has been
FOR some time conducting somnambulist-
ic campaign against the sharp east wind,
in neither garment of distressing thinness
and orevity, and without other armor.-
and yet there is something about it that
calls to mind my lord Byron's couplst re-
garding the afrigbted seamen.


They vow to amend their lives. and yet thsy


don't,


Because if drowned they saa't--if spared.


they won't"


For some years the two political parties
have devoured one another with an apps-
tite as raneorous as that of empty tigers.
They tugged and wrestled with fervor
hitherto unknown in the political arena
that is to say, unknown in the world. Te
quote again, they


each pulled different ways with many


an oath,


"Arcades ambo' i'd est-blacksuards both"


An now the under dog suddenly con-
fesses that he has nothing to fight for, con-
cedes the superior animals title to the
bone for which he fought, "bides > wee"
to steal it from him unawares. If there
is anything more purely ludicrous in polit-
ical history than this, it has escaped our
observation, and that of our father before
US While we do not at all believe in the
sincerity of the Democratic adhesion to the
new gospel of peace, and feel serene
confidence that should they attain power
that party would calmly relegate it to an
honorable obscurity among the apocrypha
and swear they never accepted it, the fact
Of its PRONUNCIATION and endorsement is
significant one. Usually in times of dull
ness, when there is absolutely nothing to
fight about, the politicians hang on to dead
issues and past differences with jealous
tenacity of grip, and only "let up" to lay
hold on some rising doctrine that shall pull
then upward into power. In this case it
is not So the new "question" has not ap
peared, and the Democratic grip seems to
have loosened from the mere stiffening Of
the fingers.
Year: 1871

An American citizen Of African descent,
in this city, who was once upon tims
slave wav down in Dixie, but not enjoying
that mode Of life. shortly before the rebellion
left bis master in the 'lurch" between two
days A short time since our colored friend
thought that be would let his old master
hear from him, and accordingly wrote him
friendly letter, which he sent by a gentle.
man about to visit that portion of the country
where his early years were spent in bond
age A few days ago he received a letter
from his old master asking a remittance for
the services he had been defrauded Of We
presumed his desire will be grati6ed ?-Pla-
cerville Republican.
Year: 1871

RoMAhTIC BURIAL-The following
beautiful paragraph is from the pen of Cal
vim B. Mcdonald, of the Oakland News ::


Near the Bridal Vail falls in Yosemite
Valley, is tho grave Of a little girl. Here
was the first natural death of a white per
son that occurred there, though two or
three had been slain by Indians in the
first settlement. 1t is strange place for
the Angel of Death to pursue his con-
quests, aud is a lonesome place for child
to be buried in-in her little grave on the
banks of the Merced. "the river Of Mercy"
almost under the icy spray of the eternal
Pohono, who pours his mighty baptism
nine hundred feet upon the Interchangeable
rock No child of our race reposes in
sepulchre so majestic, so awful in its sur
roundings, with the Bridal Vail waving
above her, and with the great waters
laundering down ike valleys of superua-
tural artillery But so sublime is the
Christian faith which requires us to be-
lieve that when her sleep is over the good
angel of the resurrection will not forget
her, even there, but will come aud uplift
her tenderly and send her heavenward,
like snowflake returning to the clouds.
Year: 1871

We have got S460, 900 lsss to pay
than we had six years ago, and we have
five millions more people to help pay what
remains we have got ten times as much
to paw with than we had then we have es-
tablished a first class national credit, which
could not have been done by pursuing any
other policy we have reduced public ex-
penses to very large extent, and have d.
miuished taxation SIT, 100000 a year,
with the certainty Of being able to make
further reduction if we keep on as we have
been doing. We have built railroads
faster than all other nations combined, and
are making immense additions to the iron
tracery which will some day connect all
parts of the Union We have largely ex-
tended our manufactures and rendered our
selves more Independent of foreign coun-
tries We are constantly turning out more
mineral treasure-more gold and sill, er-
than all the rest of the world put together.
We are extending the fields Of enterprise
and protective industry, and reaping rich
reward When the policy of paying off
our public debt was commenced in 1865,
nobody found fault; every one felt that
necessity of getting rid of it as soon as
possible, although our resources were then
at their lowest ebb, and one half the couu-
try was almost wholly unproducing. But
now, in the midst of almost unparalleled
prosperity, insatiate grumbIers utter their
means against the Administration because
it has been successful and prosperous
They have made a most unhappy choice
Of subjects, for its financial policy has
been, and is, one of its strongest points.
Commercial Herald.
Year: 1871

How TO SEE Down A WELL.--It is
not generally known, says the Lancaster
PENN Intelligencer, how easy matter
it is to explore the bottom of we'll, cistern
or pond of water, by the use of a common
mirror. When the sun is shining bright
ly, hold mirror so that the reflected rays
of light will fall into the water. A bright
spot will be seen at the bottom so light as
to show the smallest object plainly. By
this means we have emamiued the bottoms
Of wells City feet deep, when half full or
more of water. The smallest straw or
other objects can be perfectly seen from
the surface. In the same way one can
examine the bottom of the ponds and rivers,
if the water be somewhat clear and not
agitated by winds or rapid motion. IF a
well or cistern be under cover, or shaded
by building so that the sunlight will not
fall near the opening. it is only necessary
to employ two mirrors, using one to reflect
the light to the opening, and another to
reflect it down into the water. Light may
be thrown so or 100 yards to the precise
spot desirable, and then downward. We
have used the mirror with success, to reflect
light around the house to shaded well,
and also to carry it from south window
through two rooms, and then into cistern
under the north side of the house Half
dozen reflections of light may he made,
though each mirror diminishes the brilli-
ancy of the light Let any one not fam
il ar with the method try it, and he will
not only End it useful. but a very pleasant
experiment 1t will perhaps reveal mass
of sediment at the bottom of the well that
has been little thought of but which may
have been frightful source Of disease by
its decay in the water.
Year: 1871

a nioe young man at Portland kept
looking into the window of a married lady
until he saw her shake handkerchief,
whel, he called at her room After being
picked up at the bottom Of the stairs, and
having his bones set, it was explained that
she was only shaking some apple peeliDgs
from napkin.
Year: 1871

Another object was also kept In view IN
making the present, and that was TO in
crease the value Of real estate at Long Branch
by establishing there the Presidents resi-
dence during the summer Tho correspon
dent OF the Chicago Times also afIlrms that
cottage worth twenty thousand dollars
was likewise given by the same party 10 Gen


HORACE PORTER, the most prominen. mem.
Der of the military court which, in violation
Of law, the President retains about his per
son.


OF course we have no means of ascertain.
ing whether all the statements which we
have quoted nre accurate, though there is no
doubt whatever that the cottage at Long
Branch was O present to Gen GRANT, and
that it was given with view of obtaining
from him in is official capacity as President
some valuable thing. At any rate the sub
jcct is Of such serious nature, and tho
statements in the Chicago Times so expressly
accuse the President of the grosscst form of
bribery and corruption. that one of the first
acts of the House of Rcprcs ntatives on its
meeting In December should be the ap.
pointment of suitable committee to inves.
tiaate this matter, and to ascertain whether
the statements made by this correspondent,
and those Of similar purport made previously
upon the subject by the Hudson Gdzsttc and
the Buffalo Courier, are founded in fact or not.
II they should provo to be founded in fact,
1t will not be possible to avoid the impeach.
mcnt Of Gen. GRANT and his removal from
office. No moro otrocious acts of Official
misicmeonor have ever been charr>, against
any public officer than tldso set firth IN
these allegations In the case of President
GRASr aud his house at Long Branch.
Year: 1871

among the latter was declined by the leaders.
although they belong to a class which is
most urgently in favor of the adoption
of tho ballot in place of the existing sys
TEN of voting in England 1t indicates a
want OF that unity Ct sentiment which is
usually supposed TO characterize such movo
mcuts, and Suggests ihat their energy and
persistence may be largely due to the active
generalship of n few strong minds
Year: 1871

A Colored Justice OF the Peace Probably


Fatally Wounded by "a Government


Clerk.


Yesterday afternoon, about two o'clock, great
excitement was occasioned among the people in
the vicinity by the shooting of o. B. s. Wall,
colored Justice of the peace, by Captain M. l..
Davenport clerk in the Office of the second
Auditor. 1t appears from the statement of the
wounded man thatsome days ago Mrs. Wright
an employe of the Howard University, called
ON Wall and said that she had purchased a
stove from a clerk named Davenport in the
Second Auditors Office, for $40, and that 1t was
not what he had warranted, as 1t would not
bake bread, and she wished TO obtain redress.
Wall said that perhaps he could arrange the
matter, and called on the appointment clerk of
the Second Auditors Office, and stated to him
the circumstances. Davenport was sent for,
and a conversation occurred between him and
Wall, which resulted In the agreement of
Davenport to take back the stove.


Subsequently, Davenport called on Wall near
his office, and said that he had determined not
to take back the stove. Wall saw Mrs. Wright
afterwards and advised her to see the Secretary
of the Treasury about the matter, which she did,
in company with another woman, and a stormy
interview occurred on the same occasion be-
tween her and Davenport, who had been sent
for as before.


Davenport. yesterday afternoon, walked into
the Office of Justice of the Peace Wall, and,
drawing q seven shooter, fired two shots at him.
one of which took effect in the abdomen about
an inch and half to the right of and just below
the navel. The parties in the Office at the time
Immediately knocked Davenport down, cutting
him severely, and he was taken to the station.
house near at hand and locked up.


Wall was taken to his home, on Seventh
street, above the Boundary. Officer Robert
French soon succeeded in obtaining the attend
ance of physicians, and DR.. Robert Reyburn
dressed Walls wound, but did not give an
opinion as TO whether it would prove fatal,
though he said the affair looked ugly.


Davenport, when arrested, had evidently been
drinking, but would make no definite state
ments as to the motive which prompted the act


The physicians, having been unable to find
the ball, are unwilling TO express any opinion as
TO Walls chances esforrecovery, although they fear
the worst Washington Patriot yesterday.
Year: 1871

A Brother and Sister Shot Dead.


The st. Louis Republican of the 14th has the
following


The usual quiet of jefferson City has been
disturbed by a tragedy which occurred on Sun
day evening, resulting in the death of Mrs. Berry
and her brother, Hofus.


There was German picnic on the outskirts
OF the town on Sunday afternoon. which was
attended by the above-named parties. On re-
turning 10 the house of Mrs. Berry, 1t is said
that an alteration occurred between Hofus,
the brother of Mrs. Berry and Mr.. Schirenberg,
the editor of the Fortscbrit German weekly
newspaper.


Schirenberg, 1t is stated, had been paying
some attentions to the widow, but whatever
was the cause of the quarrel, the widow stepped
In between The parties to stop the difficulty,
and she received pistol shot In her side aimed
by her brother at Schrenberg. Her brother In
a moment of desperation, seeing what he had
done, rushed up stairs and shot himself, dying
instantly from the effect of the wounds in the
head.


verdict was rendered that deceased came to
his death from a pistol shot fired by his own
hand. Three of the jurors, including the fore
man, refused to sign the verdict but as the
body needed burial. on the score of humanity
they signed 1t under protest.


The result of the verdict did not satisfy the
community, as 1t was thought by some that the
manner of Hofius' death was open to doubt A
bullet had lodged in the wall near where the
body was lying, and there was q mark showing
that another bullet had glanced off. How Ho-
fus could have fired the shot which made this
mark was the question.


The citizens were In a high state of excite
ment, and the same jury was summoned to ex-
anime the case over again.