smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1871

Reports have been circulating here and
there in the city during the past few days
and some politicians have taken good care to
repeat the rumor-to the effect that Collector
Murphy was about to resign his position under
the United States government. The extrem-
lists Of the busybodies asserted that Mr..
Murphy had been, or was about to be, removed
from Office by President Grant We have the
most excellent authority for giving denial to
both statements. Mr.. Murphy is not about to
resign. His removal by the government would
be a mistake. What would be gained !?
He is an efficient officer, acquainted with
the complete routine of his duty.
A stranger, his successor, would have to
learn all this. His new experiments in Gus
toms revenue finance would be conducted at
the government expense. Just as a stiff
fingered adult in attempting to learn the
trade of barber inficts many un-
necessary cuts and scrapes on the
cheeks of the customers, so does an
inexperienced executive fiscal officer slash the
pockets and purses both of the mercantile
community and the people at one and the
same time. We cannot afford such changes in
relation to the vast interests which the Ameri-
can people enjoy in the proper conduct of the
trade of the port of New York. Collector
Murphy consequently remains.


BUNcoMBE DAY IN THE HOUSE. Half a
dozen members of the House of Representa-
tives availed themselves of the opportunity
yesterday of delivering in the House, for the
purpose of having printed in the Congres-
sao,oal Globe and distributed among their con-
stituents, essays on various subjects. This is
a most curious custom, known and practised
nowhere else among legislative bodies. 1t is,
if not grand, at least gloomy and peculiar.
But then it amuses those who participate in it,
and does no harm to any one else except in
swelling the pages and increasing the expense
Of the Congressional Globe We presume that
the pressing business of the session will ex-
clude the chance OF any more buncombe days
between now and the 4th of March,
Year: 1871

The American minister, Mr.. Schenck, at
tended Friday evening the annual BANQUET of
the merchant tailors of London and responded
to toast in honor of the United States In the
coarse of his remarks Mr.. Schenck said that the
treaty of Washington had been very much
criticised in England as well as in his own
country, but both sides were content to accept
It as wise termination of what had seemed
likely to be an endless difficulty. Mr. Schenck
alluded to the kind manner in which he had
been received by all classes of society in En-
gland, and expressed the belief that the present
era Of good feeling between the two nations
would be lasting one. He concluded by
declaration that an alliance between the United
States and England would be irresistible.


A Paris dispatch states that by the explosion
Of a powder magazine on the eastern side of the
city, thirty persons were instantly killed and n
large number terribly injured. The greatest
excitement exists in the vicinity of the ex-
plosion, many believing the building was blown
up by sympathzers with the commune. The
authorities will probably order an investigation
into the circumstances attending the case.
Year: 1871

A HARD CAsE.-Patrick O'Brien is a tough
customer. Half his time for a few years past
has been spent in jail, and yesterday he was ar
rested again because he displayed a disposition
to carve up his mother and the several members
of his family residing on Burt street. He is a
rolling-mill hand, but, when taken, appearances
indicated that he was about to enter on the
shoe business, for he had large shoe-knfe in
one hand and heavy iron-handled awl in the
other, both of which were waving threateningly
in the air when officers johnson and Sprague
were called in to take the troublesome mem
Der of the family to quarters where he
would ne longer endanger the lives of the
people in Burt street. His arrest and removal
to the lookup interested several hundred peo-
pie, each one of whom ought to be ashamed of
themselves for so crowding around officers
when only the ordinary duty of caring for dis
orderly drunken man was being performed,
After having been taken inside the station house
he conceived strong desire to wrestle with
some of the officers, and in every possible way
showed off the qualities of a vulgar brute, from
whose violcHce the public is only safe when the
restraining influence of a lock is held over his
career.
Year: 1871

The City of Houston, which sailed from New York for Galveston, Texas,

 would have gone down with all on board, in the late gale had it not so happened that some naval officers and U. s. sailors were on board as passengers. Seeing that the ship was manageable and that the Captain was incompetent to navigate

 her, and had become confused, Lieut.. Schelky and Lieut.. Commander Stroud took command, and summoning up their sailors, barely saved the vessel from the breakers. A terrible tale IS told. For twenty-four hours the wind blew hurri- cane. All sail was carried away. The tiller-rope broke and rebroke {; the fire room was filled with water and the fires put out. The cabin was full of water, the boilers broke loose from their fast enings, the saloon was carried away, and the ship wreck. The gallant naval officers took command when the ship was in this condition, and the captain had given up, and by rigging up the donkey pump, splitting up furniture and using two barrels of pork, fire was kindled under it and the ship pump ped out. A false rudder was rigged when the ship was rolling so that no one could stand on her decks. The boilers were strengthened up and fire kindled under them and the engine backed until they got clear of the coast.
Year: 1871

The Grand Lodge I. O. o. E. of New York at their late session, transacted the following business It was decided to be improper and inconsistent for a District Deputy Grand Master to hold the office of Noble Grand during his official term. The Noble Grand of 8 subordinate lodge can give the P. W. of the Rebekah degree where there is a regular chartered lodge of that degree if a member of the Order commits suicide, his family by such act is not deprived of benefits motion to adjourn lodge meeting to another day before going through the regular order of business is illegal, but if without day it is right a lodge must close, not adjourn ; mem Der more than 13 weeks in arrears for dues is not entitled to receive the F. w.; lodge is not compelled to reinstate suspended member withdrawal cards of applicants for a new lodge need not be presented to the District Grand Committee for their approval the charge-books cannot be taken from the lodge-room. Subordinate lodges have right to appropriate their funds for pic. nics or excursions. Grand Lodge cards shall be furnished to members of de- funct lodges, suspended for non-pay ment of dues, at S$1 each. Lodges are empowered to return money paid for de grees, when the degrees are not received provided that the certificate be returned Charters were ordered to 39 lodges in stituted under dispensation in New Yorl | State.
Year: 1871

The terrible accident on the Staten Island ferry-boat, by which hundred lives were lost, and hundred persons crippled or injured, still continues to ab- sorb the attention of the whole commu- nity, who demand greater safety in steam boilers, or in the management of them.

 From the contradictory views express ed by persons who are considered ex- perts, 1t is apparent that comparatively little is in reality known about the causes of boiler explosions. The opinion pre- vails generally that the most essential thing in safety is, that the boiler should be very strong.

 A different and novel doctrine on this subject was recently advanced in our hearing by 8 practical engineer. He ex- pressed, with great confidence, that there is only one cause ever, for the ex- plosion of boiler, and that is, letting the water get too low. He says you cannot explode boiler in 8 way to cause any considerable loss of life by any other means

 But the most curious point in his theory is, that the stronger the boiler, if the water is allowed to get low enough to explode it, the more disastrous will be the consequences.

 He contends that if cold water is let suddenly into heated boiler, an explo- sion is inevitable, no matter how strong the boiler may be; and the greater the force employed to confne the steam, the more terrible will be the explosion. Familiar facts seem to sustain this doctrine. If you fire powder in a>gun without any wad over the powder, it ex- plodes with very little force and scarcely any noise whereas, if you put tight wad over the powder, ram it down hard, then put shot and another Wad over that, the powder explodes with great force and loud noise. Moreover, it often causes the gun to recoil, and sometimes bursts the gun-barrel. Sportsmen are very careful about too tight wadding, o1 too heavy charges of shot, which confine the powder too strongly, as the powder, when ignited, must force whatever con- | fines it assunder,

 And yet how in principle, are the tight wadding ana heavy charges of shot different from the strong steam boiler

 Another thing men engaged in blast ing rock know that the success of theil operations depends, in a great degree, l upon the thoroughness and strength o1 the tamping.

 Drill a round hole in a rock, and fill it up with gunpowder; apply 8 match t. the powder you produce 8 flash and g little smoke, and that is aI The rock remains unmoved and unbroken.

 But place few pounds of powder ir the bottom of the hole, tamp it down hard with broken stone and other sub. stances very difficult to remove, then light the powder, and you have loud explosion, sending the small stones high up in the air, and frequently breaking in pieces tons of the rock into which the hole has been drilled

 These views are thrown out as worthy the consideration of men of science. One conclusion we are obliged to come to, and that is of great practical i'm portance !: Whether steam-boilers are strong or weak, they are very dangerous unless closely watched, and faithfully and wisely attended to.
Year: 1871

MT. George Partridge contributes the following in an article descriptive of his visit to the California Geysers

 "We now commence to descend the mountain down the Fulton Canyon to the Geysers, descent of nineteen hun dred feet in few miles. The road goes down in a regular grade around the ribs of the mountain. Commencing near the summit, you see the depths of the can- yon several hundred feet below you and what is peculiar about the road is it IS cut around the sides of these steep ribs of the mountain, sometimes through hard gravel, sometimes through conglomerate rock, leaving nearly per pendicular cliffs on the one side, while there is very great descent on the other to the abyss below. And this is not so only on the outer ribs which you ride round, but also in the inner circle be- tween the ribs. What gives a further interest to the scene is the fact that the road itself in very many places is so nar- row that person sitting on the upper side of the wagon can discover nothing on the other but the abyss below. See ing no ground on that side for the wheel to run on, and with nothing to prevent your going to the depths below but the skill and carefulness of the driver this condition of things your surprise and fears are awakened very soon after starting down the declivity by finding that, instead of the horses walking or going upon slow trot, they are started off upon brisk trot, and sometimes run into d gallop, and you go whisking around these corners and short turns at full speed, having nothing but the brake to govern your carriage, and, if not ap- piled at the exact moment, all is lost :; all at the risk of the lives of the passen- gers, horses and driver and you hold on to your carriage with all your might, expecting every moment to be thrown overheard. To expostulate with the driver is of no use, for they know thein own business better than you ; they have never turned over yet, and they don't expect to do it now. And you feel that you have taken your life ir your hand, and you are ready to cry out Lord save us ! They still push on, whir1ing around these bends, as though the road was straight and of the utmost width, when to our expectation, but not to the drivers, in turning round one of the inner circles, at full speed, our carriage upset, throwing us all out on the ground and rocks, endangering the lives of us all.

 Fortunately, no one was killed, but all received some bruises and hurts one lady, confined to the bed for nearly a week, struck on her side. I looked up on it as miracle that we were not all killed To show the narrowness of the road where it was done, the carriage had to be pulled up into the road, as it was righted, to prevent it's being thrown overheard. It is said this was the first accident that ever happened on this road, which was built but three years ago. If so, can only say it is mir acle of Divine Providence which has prevented it.
Year: 1871

THE ONIoN.-Some one wrote to the English Mechanic lately, desiring to know what was the cause of the anti-mag- netic property of the onion and in re- ponse to his request, correspondent relates than King Charles the Second once propounded as a problem to the Royal Society the question, why a live fish might be put into a vessel full of water without causing it to flow over, while dead one produced the opposite effect. After long debate, in which strenuous efforts at an explanation were made, a member suggested that possibly it would be well first to show that the monarch's assertion of fact was true, and it was then ascertained to be with out foundation. The asserted anti-mag- hectic property of the vegetable men, toned seems to be of like character, as the strongest obtainable onion did not in the least affect very delicate magnet.

 ARsENICAL ORNAMENTS. few days ago little girl had a bunch of artificial grapes given to her. After amusing herself with the toy she gave it to play mate of her own age, who presently picked grape off the bunch and sucked it. The next day she was a corpse. An eminent physician, who nalyzed the fatal plaything, deposed that ten of the grapes yielded three grains of arsenite of copper-a deadly poison-and that each vine-leaf on the bunch contained enough to kill child. Another childs cupboard, in which it's toys were kept, was lined with green paper. The poor little thing sickened and died, obviously from the effects of poison mysteriously imbibed Dr. Letheby analysed the paper-hanging of the cupboard, and found that a piece of it only six inches square contained nearly thirteen grains of the deadly compound-enough to kill two grown-up persons !-Loradom ha- quirer.
Year: 1871

The other day, says 8 recent writer, I heard of an incident which shows that even men of society do not understand all the mysteries of the feminine toilet. A gentleman, who devotes large part of his time to the society of ladies, and who believes himself coaaaaoisseur in all that pertains to them, was much annoyed by observing that fair friend of his, fav- orably known for her style of elegant dressing, would insist, when the weather would allow it, upon wearing an old shawl devoid of any claims to beauty or good taste.

 The gallant endured this for long while. He walked up Broadway and Fifth Avenue, and rode in the park with his friend, and often looked at the odious shawl in a way that he thought would convince her of its unfitness for so ele- gant a woman as herself.

 continued to display it on every possible occasion. He lost patience at last, and said to her one day:

 "May be permitted to inquire why you will wear that miserable shawl all the time? It ruins your dress. You look SC exquisitely otherwise that I can not com prehend why you will deform yourself with such faded rag as that It has nothing in the world to recommend it and I believe if you were to throw it of in the street nobody would pick it up. J

 The bright eyes opened with surprise, and strange expression fell across the pretty face.

 "You are testing, are you not ?" the lady asked. "You do not really dislike my shawl, do you ?"

 "I never was more serious in my life. I thoroughly detest this thing which you call shawl"

 "Well, then, I'll inform you that this IS camel's hair shawl and, though think it in very bad taste to speak ot prices, it cost $S3, ,OOO, and is one of the finest ever brought to this country"

 The young man was astounded but his taste was correct.
Year: 1871

A few days ago a gentleman who is en- gagged in farming in Tennessee was walk ing through his field, near where his hands were blowing, when he discovered q cat at some distance coming toward him. Presently the cat turned aside, and squatting very low, appeared to creep stealthily along, as though in search of game. He quickened his steps to see if he could discover what was up. He soon discovered snake about foot and half or two feet long, and as the cat approached, the snake coiled and put himself in striking position. The cat instantly walked directly up to the snake and held out one foot near his snake ships head, as if daring him to strike. Master snake, being full of spunk, was not the chap to take dare consequent ly he responded with his full strength, but when his head should have been in direct contact with the cats paw, the paw, like the Irishman's flea, want thar and before the head could be withdrawn, it treceived a heavy blow from the cats foot, and the paw was again presented, with similar results. About four rounds of this sort occurred, when the snake seemed to remember Che who fights and runs away may live to fight another day." and with this understand ing uncoiled and started to quit the field

 "How vain are all our earthly hopes'' his snakeship had DO sooner com menced his retreat than pussy bounced upon him and bit him entirely through the body in three or four places, each of which, our observer thinks, was 8 fatal bite. After this the cat appeared to be satisfied, and quietly withdrew.
Year: 1871

A large piece of coal fell on Virginia miner the other day, and crushing him to the ground, forced the stem of his pipe through the roof of his mouth and out of the top of his head,
Year: 1871

SPoTs ON MAHOGANY. Stains and spots may be taken out of mahogany with little aquafortis or oxalic acid and water, rubbing the part by means of cork, till the color is restored, observing after wards to wash the wood we'll with water, and to dry and polish as usual.
Year: 1871

EARN WHAT You SPEND.-Three-
fourths of the difficulties and miseries of
men come from the fact that most want
wealth without earning it, fame without
deserving it, popularity without temper
ance, respect without virtue, happiness
without holiness. The man who wants
the best things and is willing to pay just
what they are worth, by honest effort
and hard selfdenial. will have no diff
Guilty in getting what he wants at last.
1t is the men who want goods on credit
that are snubbed and disappointed and
overwhelmed in the end.


Happiness cannot be bought by the
bottle, nor caught up by the excursion
train, nor put on with any robe or Jewels,
nor eaten at any feast. 1t does not ex-
ist in any exhileration, excitem ent or
ownership, but comes from the use of
the faculties of body and mind. To live
truly, is to have happiness wherever you
are.
Year: 1871

THRILLING BALLOON ADVENTURE.


A very exciting balloon ascension was


made at Dayton, Ohio, few days since
the aeronaut being one Professor Torrey.
The balloon was inflated with hot air
by means of furnace set in the ground
the chimney or tube for insertion in the
mouth of the balloon being section of
steam boiler. Just as the balloon clear
ed the tube, the flame flashed fiercely and
set fire to it. The ropes we're let go,
when the immense canvas globe inflated
with the heating air, rose rapidly upward
the daring aeronaut clinging to the trap
eze suspended from beneath with ropes,
and performing number of graceful
feats as the air-ship scared aloft, and was
borne along by the wind, which was blow
ing almost a gale at the time. Mean
time the fire, which had been communi
Gated to the lower portion of the balloon
at starting, continued to blaze around
the edges, but the professor, apparently
oblivious to the dangerous position in
which he was placed, kept up his daring
feats on the trapeze, hanging alternately
by one foot or one hand, and performing
sundry graceful evolutions while carried
at an elevation of about one hundred
thousand feet from the earth.


The balloon was borne eastward for
some distance by the current, when
the heated air having cooled commenced
a rapid descent, landing about half mile
from the starting point. While ap-
preaching the earth with considerable
force the balloon came in contact with
willow tree, when the professor, releasing
his hold of the trapeze, took refuge in
the branches, and broke his fall by seiz-
ing hold Of limb, which gave way, and
he came to the ground, ending his peril
Gus journey without serious injury,
though his ankle was slightly sprained
bv the concussion. The ascension was
witnessed by hundreds of people, who
we're thrilled with the spectacle of the
daring aeronaut dangling in the air, and
performing astonishing acrobatic feats.
while the flames threatened to consume
the frail bark which bore him along.
Year: 1871

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


Expiration Notices Promptly Given.
Year: 1871

Stick TO ONE THING.-Every young
man, after he has chosen his vocation,
should stick to it. Don't leave it because
hard blows are to be struck or disagreea-
BILE work performed. Those who have
worked their way up to wealth and USE
fulness do not belong to the shiftless and
unstable class, but may be reckoned
among such as took off their coats, rolled
up their sleeves, conquered their preju-
dices against labor, and manfully bore
the heat and burden of the day.
Year: 1871

Was compounded for those not inclined to ex
treme bitters, and is intended for use in cuSes
when some alcoholic stimulant is required in
connection with the Tonic properties of the Bit
ters, Each bottle of the Tonic contains one bot
tie Of the Bitters, combined with pure SANTA CRUZ
RUN. and favored in such manner that the ex-
tremS bitterness of the Bitters is overcome,
forming = preparation highly agreeable and
pleasant to the palate, and containing the medici
nal virtues of the Bitters. The price of the Tonic
$3.50 per bottle, which many persons think too
high. They must take into consideration that the
stimulant used is guaranteed to be of pure
quality. pure article could be furnished at
cheaper price, but is it better to pay little
more and have good articlel A medicinal prep
aration should contain none but the best ingredi-
ents, and they who expect to obtain cheap COM
pound will most certainly be cheated.
Year: 1871

of the various ways and means by which We take
a severe cold, or it may be caused by fatigue.
The symptoms are extreme nervousness, intense
pain in the muscles and joints, the flesh Is sEol-
len and sensitive 10 the touch. One popularity
of this form of Rheum stism is that it frequently
changes from one portion Of the body to another
even when no external application hes been used
TO drive 1t to any other part. The entire Iys-
TEN is prostrated by suffering. We long for reIt


but the acute, dartipg pains will not permit rs
that pleasure. External applications are use


less and often prove dangerous, by driving the


pain to some vital organ. Drive it out Of the


evstem instead of driving it in, and Taylor's
StomAch and Liver Correetor Is warrentea to
give relief. It viii &c to the seat Of pain,
strengthen the nervous 81 stem, and effect cure.