smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1870

The MYSTERIES OF CoENTERFErTING.
One John B. Trout, who is serving sentence
in the Indiana State prison at Michigan City
was lately taken to Detroit as government
witness in counterfeiting case. 1t came
out in the progress of the examination that
he was thoroughly posted in the manufacture
OF counterfeit money, having been engaged
In the business fifteen years, as an engraver
OF plates and printer of bank notes. For
the benefit OF the court, counsel, jury and
spectators, he entered into minute descrp-
ton of the process of engraving plates and
printing notes, describing the various articles
which had been seized in the johnson house,
and their various uses in counterieiring.


But the most wonderful exhibition of his
skill was in telling the name of the engraver
OF plate by the examination Of a bill print
ed from it. He was Thoroughly familiar with
the work Of all the engravers. He detected
counterfeit from genuine bill at glance.
He readily designated as counterfeit an issue
which even the treasury department took as
| genuine for some time before detecting as
false, the department then being obliged to
cancel the genuine issue because the false was
| so nearly perfect. The United States Mar
| shal has book containing samples of all the
counterfeits yet issued. Trout looked at
these bills fand told the engraver correctly
each time with very little examination.


Among these bills were those from the
plates engraved by Boyd and Ulrich, and 9TH
er celebrated counterfeiters, and which are so
perfectly done as to deceive ninety-nine out of
every one hundred persohs accustomed to the
examination Of money. Trout could not
describe the process by which he distinguish
ed these various bills, but characterized
it as an indescribable instinct. He said he
had worked off hundreds of thousands of
dollars in counterfeit money while he was en-
gagged in the business. He is evidently about
thirty-fve, and seems to be on the brink of a
consumptive's grave. His term Of sentence
does not expire for two years, yet; but he
says he does not expect a pardon, though so
near his death. He prefers to end his days
in prison and has made his coffin with his
own hands.
Year: 1870

An attempt at bluster by the lato
possessor of his umbrella was quietly
met by Ned with a request that an Off
Ger of the court should examine the in
itials upon the handle. This was con
elusive. The strangers initials were
ST. w" and he had not had time to
take notice of the minute "E. s." cut
into the onyx stone.


OF course my immediate release FOL.
lowed upon this discovery accompanied
by the assurance that l left that court
without any stain upon my character,
&c. My late prosecutor was glad to
stink crestfallen away, yet not before be
had received severe rebuke, admins
tered by the magistrate.


As for Ned, he was overfowing with
gratitude. He declared with tears in.
his eyes that l had been the means of
restoring to him his lost treasure. What
was more, he insisted upon paying the
wager which l had lost, and also Of
performing the part of Amphitryon at a
capital dinner in the evening.
Year: 1870

\ writer in the London ChatterbUx
gives some good advice, but it has two
sides to il. There are times when it is
not wise to strike the knot, but if you
have it to do, do it with all your might {:
" When we were boys-littIe fellows"
he says, " our father began to teach u
TO work, and were anxious TO perform
our allotted tasks in splitting wood. 4
rough stick with most obstinate knot
tried all the skill and strength Of a
weak arm, and we were about to give
up the task, when father came along.
He saw the piece Of wood had beeT
chipred down, and the knot hack
around, and took the axe, saying, :
ways strike the knot, boys I'll
words have ever remained safe i'll my
memory, and they are precious words.
Never try to shun difficulty, but look
il right in the face; catch its eye, and
YOU can subdue it as a man can a lion.
It will cover before you, and sneak
away and hide itself If you dread diff
ficulties, difficulties will grow upon you
till they overcome you. Don't chip
round about the knot, but drive fair
and full into it.
Year: 1870

Is gathering quickly DER my head; and loud
The thunders roll above me. See, stand
Like one bewlldered. Father, take IA y hand'
And throu ugh the gloom


Lead safely home


my ch1ldI
Tn e days go fast, my Father! and the night
Is drawing darkly down My faithless sight
Encompass me. o, Father! take my hand,
And from the night


Lead up to light


Thy child.
The way is long, my Father: and my soul -
Longs for the rest and quiet Of the goal;
While yet l journey through this weary land
Keep me from wandering. Father take my
Quickly and straight


Lead to Heavens gate


Thy child.
The path is rough, my Father! many q thorn
Has pierced me, and my weary feet all torn
And bleeding, mark the way. Yet thy com
Bids me press forward. Father take my
Then, safe and bIest,


Lead up 10 rest


Thy child.
The throng is great, my Father: many a
And fear and danger compass me about,
And foes Oppress me sore. 1 cannot stand,
Or go alone: Father, take my hand,


And through the thrOng


Lead safe along


Thy child.
The cross is heavy, Father! have borne
So long, and still do bear it. Let my worn
And fainting spirit rise to that blessed land
Where crowns are given. Father, take my
hand,


And reaching down,


Lead TO the crown


Thy child.
would not have thee always walk by sight :;
My dealings now thou caTst not understand,
meant IL so: but will take thy hand,


And through the gloom


Lead safely home


My child.
The day goes fast, my child but Is the night
Darker to thee than day? in me is light;
OF fear shall vanish I viii take thy hand,


And through the night


Ny child.
The way is long. nay child but il shall DC
Not one step longer than is best for thee; =
And thou shalt know at last, when thou
Close to the gate, how didst take thy hand


And quick and straight


Lead TO Heavens gate


Ny child.
The path is rough, my child bus, oil how
Will be the rest for weary pilgrims feet,
When thou shalt reach the borders of that
To Which lead thee as I take thy hand,


And safe and blest


With me shall rest


My child.
The thrOng is great, my child, but at thy side
The Father walks then be not terrified,
For am with thee viii thy foes command
To let thee freely pass VIII take thy hand,


And through the throng


Lead safe along


My child,
The cross is heavy, child yet there Is one
Who bore a heavier for thee; my Son
Ny well:beloved, with Him bear thine Gnd
stand
With Him, at last, and from thy Father
hand,


Thy cross laid down,


Receive the crown,


My child.
Year: 1870

The way is dark, my Father cloud on cloud
Is gathering quickly o'er my head and loud
The thUnders roll above me. See, l stand
Like one bewildered. Father, take IN y hand,


And through the gloom


Lead safely home


Thy child,
Year: 1870

Could we but know
The land that ends our dark, uncertain travel
Where lie those happier hills and meadows low
All, if beyond the spirits inmost csvil,
Aught of that country could We surely know,


Who would not go?


Might we but hear
The lowering angels high imagined chorus,
Or catch, betimes, with wakeful eyes and clear
One radiant vista of the realm before US
With one rapt moment given to see and hear,


All, who would fear?


Were we quite
To find the peerless friend who left Us lonely,
Or there, by some celestial stream as pure,
To gaze in eyes that here were loyelit only
This weary mortal coil, were we quite sure


Who would endure?
Year: 1870

In response to resolution Of the Legislature,
says the Lynchburg Neics,l Gen. Candy in
forms that body that when the subject Of the
extension Of the Stay Law was under considera-
ton by him, he ascertained from corrcspon-
dence with the Clerks Of the different counties
in the State that there were from three hundred
and .f6y housand 10 .tom hundrcd thousand
judgments awaiting the repeal precipitation or Of
the law to be executed Now, suppose we es-
timate these judgments at an average Of 500
each, and we have the sum Of thirty-fye or
forty millions Of dollars as a grand total Of
the amount Of tie indebtedness which is soon
to be paid by the forced sales of the little
property that tie war has left the people Of
Virginia.
Year: 1870

Jersey wants the franking privilege abolish
ed. 4 Congressman from that State received
the following letter from prominent jersey
man: Deer Sur, Please send me copy Of
the Agricultural report and then abolish the
franking privilege.
Year: 1870

Woman's Sense and Woman's Voting


Jennie June writing to the New York Ha}i
in relation to otle Caoke-Johnson scandal. says:


There is a silly reck'essuess about the con-
duct OF many young girls with regard to mar
ried men, due partly to their ignorance aud
partly to their vanity, which mothers are priu-
cipalIy responsible f,r


Let young girls be taught the truth aud 10y
atty to every woman as part Of their creed.


Let them understand that words and atten-
tions that can have no honorable meaning are
an insult, not a compliment; aud that the man
who persists in them takes it for granted that
the girl he addresses is vile as well as foolish.


If girl at eighteen is perfectly irresponsi-
ble, and don't know what men mean when they
make love to her aud ask her to run away with
them, how old ought she to be before she has
a vote, and is admitted to work with men in
machine shops and government Offices?


S. B. A., stand up and answer.


The truth is, if women are to be good for
any thing, they must be taught that they are
responsible for themselves as soon as they have
the power to distinguish good from evil.


Men are not, and never can be, the guardi-
ans Of their purity-tbey must be their own.
Year: 1870

Ex-PREsIDENT JOHNSON FOR CoNeREss.


Ex- President johnson is urged to ac-
sept the nomination for Congress in his
congressional district. A nomination in
that district is equivalent to an election,
and il is hoped Mr.. johnson will consent
to serve. He has the example of John
Y. Adams before him, who accepted SER
vice in the House of Representatives, af-
ter the close of his Presidential term, and
continued to serve until the day of his
death, falling at his desk, in the House,
and dying with the harness on his back
We need just such men as Mr.. johnson
in Congress. His long experience in
public life, his incorrupsible honesty, his
devotion to the interests of the whole peo-
pie, his iuveterate hostility to corruption
and extravagance-to land-grabbing and
log-rolling, and the many corrupt schemes
which crafty lobby press upon toe
compliant Congress many of whose Nom
bers bear itching palms. His readiness
in debate and his fcarlcsness of spirit are
needed in the Capitol of the nation to ex-
pose the reeking corruption which "smells
to heaven y He could probably do moro
good in Congress than any single man in
/ the country, and we trust we shall see
him in the next Congress, the champion
Of economy in the public expenditure and
an honest administration of our public af-
fairs.
Year: 1870

The monetary disturbances in the Lon
don markets occasioned by the war have
not abated. There have been thirty-six
failures on the Stock Exchange since the
beginning of the war panic. The depres-
sion in the Liverpool market is still very
great. The London Times says the drain
of gold is subsiding. The amounts now
on the way there from New York will 90
long way to counteract the tendency of
pressure in the money market. The ad-
vance in the rate of interest at the Bank
of England to five per cent was precau-
tionary measure, rather than proof of
the actual scarcity of money.
Year: 1870

The election in North Carolina took
place on Thursday. 1t would be strange
If the Democrats succeeded anywhere, in
the present condition of affairs in that
State. Gov. Holden has some parts Of
the State under martial law, and has put
his negro militia into active service, os-
I tensibly to maintain order, but in reality
to control the elections The State mi
litia is supported by eight companies of
U. s. Artillery and two of Infantry, sent
hither by President Grant to aid in the
business of dragooning the North Caroli-
mans into submission. If this state of
things is to continue, it is clear to per-
coive that force must take the place of
the ballot in all our elections, sooner or
later. Il is equally certain that men who
have known what it is to be free to exer-
else the right of suffrage unawed by Fed
eral bayonets and the minions of an up


start State Executive working in the in
terests of faction, will not long brook this
state of things. The spirit of liberty is
not yet extinct in the American people,


that they should thus be treated as the
subjects of the vilest despotism on earth.


Holden, and Kirk, his commandant of
militia. are tying up men by their thumbs


in order to extort confessions that they
belong to the Ku Klux Klan. Kinks
subordinates are shameless enough to ad-


NIT the horrible torture practiced by their
leader, and criminal enough to defend it.
Year: 1870

LET THERE BE LIGHT. Six new iron
lamps are to be erected in Middletown in
addition to those which have stood SO far
apart as only to make the intervening
darkness visible. Our streets are to be
better lighted in the future, thanks to our
present active board Of feommissioners.
Year: 1870

There was q riot between whites and
colored at Harrodsburg, Mercer county,
Ky. last Monday evening. No details
are given, but it is stated that one white
and three or four colored men were killed
and several white men and fifteen OR twen-
ty colored wounded.
Year: 1870

A BANK FOR LosINGs. the chief


thoroughfare of this city / often pass
stately savings bank, built of freestone,
and l see groups of working people 60


ing in to deposit their hard learned mon


ey. Some are mechanics some are Ir-


ish domestics some are poor widows


laying by few dollars for their father
less children. But on the same street


the tempter has opened more than one


bank for losings. In some parts of the
city there is one on nearly every corner.
In almost every rural hamlet, too, is
there a similar institution. New York
city contains six thousand of them. In
each of these banks for losings is coun-
ter, on which old men and young, and
even some wretched women, lay down
their deposits in either paper or coin.
The only interest that is paid on depos-
its is in redness of eyes and foulness of
breath, and remorse of conscience. Ev.
cry one who makes deposit gains loss.
One man goes into the bank with full
pocket and comes out empty. Another
goes in with good character and comes
out with the word drunk written on his
bloated countenance. l have seen me-.
chanic enter in bran new coat aud come
away again as if the mice had been nib
bling at his elbows. l have known a
young clerk to leave his situation behind
him in one of the Devils banks of los
ings. Several prosperous tradesmen
have lost all their business there. Church
members have been known to reel out
from these seductive haunts, trying to
walk straight, but backsliding, at every
step. What is worst of all, thousands of
people go in there and lose their immor-
tal souls If the cashiers of these insti-
.utions were honest, they would post on
he door some such notice as this:


Bank for lcsipgs. Open at all hours
Year: 1870

Any amount and every class of Insurance required
can be placed at this Office in the best Companies
and at as low rates at any agency in the country
Expiration Notices Promptly Given.
Year: 1870

The bill to abolish the fra hiking privi-
lege passed the House on the 9th of
January, to take effect on the first of Ju-
ly. The bill is said to embrace more than
the repeal of the franking privilege. 1t
also repeals the provision allowing the free
circulation of newspapers in the counties
where they are published, and free ex-
change list. The Baltimore Sun starts
the pertinent inquiry


Whether the response of the House TO the
popular complaint is made in way to punish
the people for presuming to think that the frank
ing privilege could he abused lily members of
Congress, or even those in other branches of the
government, we are unable to say. 1t is possible
that the bill may not warrant the construction
which has been put upon it, The free circula-
tion of papers in the counties where published
and the freedom of the exchange list are provis.
iUns of the post Office laws, and were enacted af.
Ger careful consideration. But it is better, per.
haps that the whole should be swept away thar
present abuses continue"


les, much better. The newspapers
will be able to get along about as well al
they do now. They will, Of course, ex
change only with those papers which ar
essential to them. and will expend n
more for postage. if as much, as their cx
change lists nov cost them.


This project of depriging newspapers @
free exchange list, and Of requiring pub
fishers to prepay the postage on their owl
papers, was agitnted by our Congressiona
wlseacres, some years ago, but it was see
and understood to be blow aimed at III
proper dissemination of intelligence anon
the people, and it at once raised such a
indignant protest from the people, tina
the scheme was speedily abandoned. Th
press is SO closely allied with the interest
of the people, that blow aimed at til
one is instantly felt by the other. and
safeguard against the, consequences {
any splenetic action on the part Of on
lay-givers.
Year: 1870

THE PEABODY OBsEouIEs The Boston
Post says The funeral pageant in Port
land was the most impressive testimonial
possible to pay to the memory Of any man
who has meritcd the respect and gratitude
of his countrymen. The remains of Mr..
Peabody were delivered with all due GER
monial accompanyments on board the flu
neral train, and borne from our sister city,
the bells tolling farewell, cannon and
musketry breaking in, and the tens of
thousands of silent lookers-on. No Amer
lean was ever so honorcd whose ashes were
returned from foreign to be buried in
their native soil Their reception and de-
portation to the place of sepulture form a
memorable episode in the daily life of our
people. His grave will become an honor
ed spot in the State and nation, to be vis-
tied by his countrymeu and by strangers
with m interest that years cannot abatc.
Year: 1870

The New York World says, though we
do not credit the rumor of the Pope's
death, it is quite certain that he is serious
ly, if not dangerously. i'll. The imme-
diate result of his death would be the dis
solution of the Ecumenical Council, bill
decreeing its dissolution in such contin-
gency having been already prepared.
Most probably his successor would again
summon its members together; but no one
can tell how long it might be before new
Pope would be chosen. The College of
Cardinals would find it no easy task to
choose a successor to the mild Plus TX.
whose election would be satisfactory to all
parties in the church, and months might
elapse before decisive vote conld be Sc
cured. That the present Pope has long
been in precarious state of health is gen.
orally known but he possesses wonder
ul tenacity of life, and there is yet no
reason to regard his death as imminent.
1t is certainly to be hoped that he will
live to see the Council complete its work.
The assembling of this Council has been
the great event of his pontifcate, and his
death just at present would not only seen
inopportune, so far as his own ambition il
concerned, but would be serious misfor.
tune to the Catholic Church.
Year: 1870

The scheme for joining telegraph with
postal facilities meets with the favor of
both branches of Congress, and there
seems to be probability of its becoming
law. 1t is too late, therefore, to discuss
the subject on the side of constitutional
authority and its implied restrictions. The
objection, however, in spite of expected
benefits. will stand as strong as ever a.
gainst Government stepping in to perform
the work of the people BY the new pro-
ject messages will be much more numer-
Gus than the present, because the cost will
be minimum rate. If the companies
now organized agree to sell their lines to
the Government, the latter will become
monopolist; and whether such charac-
ter is the best possible one for furnishing
tclegraphio service we are, some of us,
pretty well able to judge from experience
with the Western Union Company.-Bos-
ton Post
Year: 1870

The reader will find thrilling story or
narrative of fact, on the first page of this
issue. The gifted author assures his rea-
ders that the narrative is strictly true, an
other illustration of the truth of the axiom
that truth is stranger than fiction"


An interesting Revolutionary Incident
connected with rhe history of Newark
will also be found on the first page.
Year: 1870

An INCIDENT IN BALTIMoRE.-Ano old
gentleman called at Baltimore police
station last week, with q complaint
against his wife, who had pulled his hair
out and otherwise maltreated him. He
wanted her locked up, because "it'l cost
a heap to keep the old woman this win
ter-she's powerful feeder" The off,
Ger said to him: " You see that long
desk covered with green leather?' He
nodded in response. Well" said the
officer, about four o'clock this after
noon you will see several savage looking
young men come in with rush and have
a squabble for the best seat. When you
see them settled down, walk up and speak
to the magistrate, at the same time hand
ing the afidavits and other documents
in your case to him. These gentlemen
will scramble for the papers, and in ten
seconds will be writing up your entire
history from them. They will tell all
you know about yourself and your wife
all that your friends, and great deal
more than any of you know. When
they get through with you, your wife
will be glad to start for Patagonia, and
you fol Greenland. Youwill never have
any trouble about it again. Just now
they are probably at some other station
house, performing the same kind Offices
for some other man." The poor man
shook his head solemnly, heaved = Sigh.
and turning toward the door. moved
slowly out. On the threshhold he pans
ed moment, and slowly sid" Ousn
can afford to keep the old LADY through
the winter
Year: 1870

A SNAKE LOOSE IN A BALL ROOM
A very interesting and exciting scene oc-
Cured at bali not many milesfrom this
city few evenings since. Among the
persons present was young lady who
had great horror of snakes, and imag-
ined--no matter what the season-if she
experienced any unusual alarm, snake
in unpleasant proximity. After dancing
awhile, she was greatly distressed by
feeling a sensation as though a serpent
had fixed itself beneath the folds Of her
dress. Grasping the head of the mon
ster tightly, she screamed aloud for as
sistance. A hasty consultation among
the gamest of the ladies was held, when
it was determined that a young disciple
of Esculapius, who was present, should
be called to their assistance. He was
quickly ON the spot, and being man of
uncommon courage, was not many mo-
ments within the circle of halffainting
females before he caught the tail of the
snake, and wound it firmly around his
hand, telling Miss. NJ. that she must let
go the moment he jerked, and to make
the act as instantaneous as possible, he
told her that he would pronounce the
words one, two, three, and that at the
moment he pronounced the last word
she must let go her hold, and that he
doubted not that he could withdraw the
snake before it would have time to strike
All stood in breathless horror, awaiting
the act of life or death, and the moment
the words were pronounced the doctor
jerked out the longest and most diaboli
cal looking hustle that ever was seen
The whole affair was soon explained; the
fastening Of the machine had become
loose during the dancing, and it haC
shifted its position in such way that i
dangled about and induced the belle
that it was snake with an enormous
head. The doctor fell down in his track
and couldn't be induced 20 undertake thu
capture of another snake on any condi
tions.-O Omaha Herald.
Year: 1870

Any amount and every class of Insurance required
can be placed at this Office in the best Companies.
and at as low rates as any agency in the country


Expiration Notices Promptly Given.