smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

A printer sat in his office chair, his
boots were patched and his coat
threadbare, and he looked weary and
worn with care. While sadly think
ing of business debt, old Morpheus
slowly around him crept, and before
he knew it he soundly slept; and
sleeping he dreamed that he was
dead, from trouble and toll his spirit
bad fed, and that not even wbell
tolled for the peaceful rest Of his cow
hide soul. AS he wandered among the
shades, that smoke and scorch in low
er Hades, he shortly observed an iron
door that creakingly swung on hinges
ajar, but the entrance was closed with
red-hot bar, and Satan himself stood
peeping out, and watching for travel
ers thereabout, and thus TO the pass
ing printer spoke:


"Corne in, my dear, it shall cost you
nothing, and never fear: this is the
place where / cook the ones who
never pay thei- subscription sums, for
though in life they may escape, they
will find when they're dead it is too
late / will show you the place where
melt them thin, with red.hot chains
and scraps of tin, and also where
comb their heads with broken glass
and melted lead, and if Of refreshment
they only think, there's boiling water
for them to drink there's the red,hot
grindstone to grind down his nose, and
red-hot rings TO wear on his toes, and
if they mention they don't like fire.
I'll sew up their mouths with redhot
wire, and then, dear sir, you should
see them squirm, while roll them
over and cook to a turn"


With these last words the printer
awoke and thought it all a practical
Joke, but still at times so real did il
seem, that he cannot believe it was al
a dream and often he thinks with q
ehuckle and grin, of the fate of those
who save their tin, and never pay the
printer,
Year: 1876

September has an or" in it, and
therefore, the truce between man and
the oyster is at an end. Since the
first of May the gentle biyalve has
has passed fair days Of response at the
bottoms of the creeks, holding sweet
converse with his wives and his
pledges of affection, but now his gol-
den dreams are over, and rakes will
begin to desecrate his bed.


The oyster is of calm and placid
temper. He is a steady diinker, bnt
yet he is never disorderly. One night
a barrel Of brandy began to leak in
the cellar of fashionable restaurant,
and when the keeper descended be
found large oyster lying in pool
of liquor in deplorable state of ia.
toxication, aud yet that oyster was
quiet and well behaved. He was what
used to be termed gentlemanly drunk.
He lay decidedly aslant, opening and
shutting his mouth in a somewhat
maudlin way, and smiling benignly
on the company. Gentlemen Of the
old school used very frequently to get
in this condition, and when so were
often more offensive in their manners
than the oyster. Besides, in this case,
the brandy came after the oyster,
whereas the gentleman Of the old
school, and of the new school, too, for
that matter, go after the brandy.
What could that unhappy oyster do
when the tide of brandy rose around
him but get drunk. Put the most ad-
vanced temperance man in pool Of
brandy, and he will necessarily get
drunk by absorption, in spite of his
temperance principles. He was as
morally irresponsible as the temper
ance twin of the compact. For the
wicked Eng used to drink the whisky,
and Chang got drunk. The oyster is
a creature of staid ard conservative
principles. He is never led off by any
new tangled notions or captivating
isms. His shell is hard, and thus he
is impervious to new ideas. When
the oysters are torn from their native
rocks and butchered to make a Ro-
man holiday, they never murmur or
lament. They come up smiling and
say Ave! mOrituri te SdLotar,t. He is
always welcome; for little, little
breakfast. he reveals all his finger
emotional and moral qualities, when
broiled and laid on toast; for little
lunch, raw, lying within his own
pearly residence, with just touch OF
lemon juice; at dinner he presents
himself in many captivating guises
and, at late supper, wicked and car
nalminded men take unholy delights
in him roasted in the shell. From
September first to April thirtieth, the
oyster is slain by thousands, tens OF
thousands and millions. The walrus
and the carpenter are equally his foes,
and he has no one to defend him. Ha
has heart; his case is very hard.
Year: 1876

Tho FIRST seeds of matrimonial dis
cord are usually sown Immediately af-
ter going to housekeeping. 1t is not
because the tender wave of harmony
no longer pulsates from soul to soul.
1t is because she insists on his doing
the marketing Immediately after break
fast, on full stomach, when he don't
care whether he has canvass back
or boiled dish-rag for the next meal.


There may not be much gold, but
there's no question about the quantity
of lead in the Black Hills. Every In
dian has a gun full of it, and isn't
stipgy.


A daughter Of a wealthy Watertown
farmer has distinguished herself by
raising eight little pigs on a bottle.
Suck cess to her literary efforts.
Year: 1876

4 AMENDMENT TO THB CRY CHARTER.-The
House of Delegates last night ordered to en-
grossme ent the bill introduced by MIR: Doc.
ley to amend the seventy, fifth section osthe
charter of the city. It provides that "any
person who feels aggrieved. by the assess
ment of his real estate, may, after the first
day Of October, 1876, and before the first
day Of January, 1877, and between the first
day of October and the first day of January


in every second year thereafter, move the
Hastings Court Of the city Of Rich
mond to correct such assessment, of
which motion FIVE days. notice shall be
given TO each asse: sor who made. the assess
ment and to the city attorney. Upon the
hearing of such motion the city attorney


shall be present to defend the interests of the
city, and at least one of the assessors shall
be examined. If the court upon such hear.


ing shall reduce the assessment, it shall give
Judgment for the costs of the proceeding, as
in its Judgment may be equitable. II the
court shall refuse to reduce the assessment or
increase the same, judgment for costs shall
be rendered against the petitioner. And in
case the assessment-be altered, the petitioner
shall furnish copy of the order to the pro-
per city officer, which shall be taxed in the
cost of the proceeding" -.
Year: 1876

The campaign committee of the Massachu-
sets Republican Association have secured
room Il, St. Cloud building, corner of Ninth
and T streets, and are working like beavers to
fully redeem the old Bay State next Novem-
Der. Massachusetts, will doubtless give good
old fashioned majority for Hayes and Wheeler,
and the above committee are doing their level
best to aid in securing solid Republican dele
CATION from their State In the Forty-fifth Con-
gress. A large Transparency has been placed
in position, and the committee will always be
glad to see their Republican friends
Year: 1876




A fight took place in Martin ReynOldss
uonor saloon at No. 2O5 Grand-st about a. yester
day. in which Felix Wing of No. 1l3 Mulberry
ST. was killed About o'clock Wing came to the saloon
Several men were inside, among them Patrick spelnan
Patrick Connor Edward Brown, the bartender and
Reynolds, the proprietor How or III what manner the
fight began is not known, but it is said that political
DISPUTE was begun IN which bottle was seized by one
of those present by which Wing was probably struck
speman was seen TO put the body Of Wing out on the
sidewalk and then 60 back into the saloon officer Lay
don OF the Fourteenth Precinct gave notice TO capt Al
are of the occurrence and together they went to the
saloon. Admission refused whereupOn they DuIsJ
open the door and found Spelnan, Brown and Reynolds
who arrested


post-lnortem examination Of the body revealed two
tagged confused wounds the left side OF The SKULL
which indicated that the deceased had been struck
with some blunt instrument, and had died from the
shock to the brain. jury was empaueled, and spell
man and Reynolds fnlly committed to await the
result of the inquest which VIII be held AT the COrOues
ofNce today al i D. IN The bartender Brown dis
charged, and ConnOr held as witness
Year: 1876

REASONS FOR THE SUSPENSION OF MINING.


The managers of the associated coal com
panies which resolved to suspend mining operations in
anthracite coal from Feb Ia March H. state that TINS
action was the diminished consumption in cOnse-
quence of the mid weather. The retail dealers had laid
In full stocks In anticipation OF severe weather Their


calculations entirely disarranged by the weather.
as the great bulk the stock left their hands


At the office OF the Chesapeake and Ohio Lumber and
Coal Company stated that the trade was generally
depressed and that the decision arrived at by the meet


ing was due to the large stocks hand the little pros
poc of their profitable disposal and the fact that the
miners aIe refusing TO work at the wages offered The
price Of coal had not been lowered as yet but tie rule
hitherto had raise rates from 10 to % cents each
month i'm TIE Winter season. thing which had not been
done as vet One Oi the members OF the firm OF Ward,
Talbot Ophant said that the business al present WAS
very dull wholesale trade heing finished for the sea
SON. while the retailers doing very little business
Mr. MOultOn sales manager OF the Delaware and Hudson
Coal Company said that the reason for the temporary
suspCnsiOn mining operations simply that the sup
py OF coal on hand was sufficiently large aud promised
10 remain so without being increased lie stated that
the price per for February Wholesale by cargo had
be regulated follOws Lump, - CO. steamer ~ -
gtate, 81 Isl egg, 81 90 stove 50 JO chestnut ~ TO-
Year: 1876

Sisters Of the Stranger The society TO be aided con-
with the Church Of the Strangers aud ts object Is
the relief OF destitute strangers in the city IL Ia worthy
aud efficient charity and IL in need OF funds to carry on
its work during the Winter.
Year: 1876

The following is the text OF speech
delivered by the ozar of Russia at Mos
COW: "I thank you for your sentiments
respecting the political situation, which
ia now more clearly defined than before.
You know that Turkey has yielded to
nv demands for an immediate armistice
to end the useless slaughter in Servla
and Montenegro. In this unequal strug-
gle the Montenegrins, as heretofore,
have shown themselves real heroes. Un:
fortunately the sau cannot be said OF
the Servians, Notwithstanding the assist
ance of our volunteers, many OF whom
shed their blood for tie SlaVonic cause.
I know that all Russia joins me Id
warmly sympathizing in the suferings OF
our brethren and co-reGgionists. The
true interests of Russia are, however,
deare, to me than all. My wish to the
uttermost is to spare Russian blood.
Therefore, I have striven and will Still
strive to obtain real improvement OF
the position of the Christians by peace
full means. In a few days negotiations
will commence at Constantinople. MY
most ardent wish is that we may arrive
at q general agreement; should this,
however, not be achieved, and should
see that we cannot obtain guarantees
necessary for carrying out what we in
tended to demand from the Porte, l am
firmly determined to act Independently.
I am convinced that the whole OF Russia
will respond to my summons should I
consider it necessary, and Russia's honor
REQUIRES it. Moscow will lead the van
by it's example. May God help us to
carry ont our sacred mission"
Year: 1876

had the storm reached Summers The
tall buildings along the wharf were
leaning roofess, one this way, another
that, as if the wind, coming over the
bluffs, had reached just low enough to
unroof them. He hastened around the
foot of the hill; there lay the brick
hotel, the boast of the town, in scatter
ed fragments on the ground, like a
wasps' nest scattered by the house
keepers broom. He looked around ;
three-fourths of the town lay in ruins.
How was it with his home2 He ran up
the street until he could see where it
stood. Gonel Not vestige of it left.
And his family2 Perhaps they had es-
capped before the storm; perhaps.
Scarce knowing what he did, he hurried
to the nearest house that was yet stand
ing, and without ceremony opened the
door. There was no one in the room,
but on q couch in one corner a white
sheet "sunk to the still proportions" OF
two silent forms. Moved by some
strange impulse, he turned back tho
covering that shrouded the faces
Nancy and the baby


Shocked, stunned, he sunk on his
knees and laid his face on that dear
form. Who can describe, who can COM
prehend, the utter iesolation OF thet
hour? None but those who have felt
it. Oh, the thoughts and memories
that crowded upon him-many Of them
bitter, regretful thoughts. But there
was one memoryfor which he was thank
full: that he had not listened to the
tempter which whispered to him yester-
morn, that it would be weak and un-
manly to yield to her request.


They found him there an hour after
ward, but he asked no questions, made
no reply to tLeir attemptsat consolation,
and they left him alone with his dead.
Year: 1876

Never allow weather or want Of time
or considerations of expense or conve-
nience prevent it, short and often if in
the same town, or if at a distance, make
it point now and then to go back to
the old home, and talk about old times,
and tell them how you are doing. They
are old now, and are very much alone.
There are no young people about the
house to attract others, and most OF
those of their own age have passed
away; they need some break in the lone
iness of their homes; every visit OF a
child is pure happiness, and when the
message comes, "They are dead, your
first regret will be that you hadnot done
more to make them happy, and TO
smooth their pathway to their last resi-


iHo place. r
Year: 1876

She led linn to sofa, and in deep
bass voice called him her SOULS idol, and
inquired what his monthly income was.
Seeing his gaze fixed on her boa con-
strictor- like mouth, sha remarked :
"Darling, I see you notice my large and
beautiful potato trap; let me explain to
you the reason of it's unusual size.
When I was quite a child I was playing
on pappy's cellar door; it gave way; l
was precipitated down into the base
ment, and caught by the mouth on a
projecting meat hook, which ripped up
my face and extended my mouth several
inches" With his eyes full Of sgmps-
thetic tears he rose from the sofa, and
replied, as he made toward tfe door :
"My angel, you are perhaps mistaken:
Probably. in the excitement OF that awful
moment, you left your mouth down in
the basement, and accidentally brought
up the cellar. We shall meet again in .
better world. Adieu."
Year: 1876

On q murk winters night, in the
olden time, when the fires from the
blast furnaces, and the lurid flames OF
some ignited pit mound, were all aglow,
the music of the mailing hammers OF
Birmingham, England, might be heard


all the country round. From the Little
huts or sheds, dotted here and .here
upon the broken landscape, with an
utter absence of order or convenience,
as though the mighty geological opera
tions underneath had shaken them ihto
the most unlikely places, the gleam OF
the hearth fires would shine from the
open shutters, and the merry songs OF
the workers, male and female, sung at
the very topmost pitch of their voices,


might be heard mile away. Up to ten
or eleven o'clock at night would these
sounds continue-no unusual clrcum-
stance in district where labor never
seems to rest, but where the roaring
furnaces and the great rolling wheels go
on increasingly day and night. Through
the open loophole, the whole art and
mystery of nail making could be wit
messed by any passer-by. The mailer
would have the ends Of three or four
rods in the fire, and taking out the ono
which had been in longest, after o pull
or two at the bellows to bring it to a
welding heat, he would taper down tho
point upon his anvil, at the same time
making q shoulder for the head. He
would then hold it over chisel or cut.


ting punch, stuck upright at the side OF
his anvil, and, giving it one tap with his
hammer, cut it halfway through, an


iron stop in front of the punch giving
him the exact guage for the length.


He would then turn down the point OF
the half-severed nail into steel instru-
ment called bore Che top of which


ormed q mold for the head, and twist
it off, and then, with few smart blows.


he would beat it down until the head
was spread out sufficiently, and assumed
the required shape, the nail just turning
from red to black as he gave it the
finishing tap. As his rods got too short,
he would weld or "shut" two of them
together, and put new rod in the tire
and so on, with the regularity Of clock.
work, probably, in thousand nails, not
one va1ying the number OF blows upon
Year: 1876

Tho Battle of DjuDis..3,UUO sefVlnns Do-


serted--How the Wounded Prisoners


Wore Treated.


A correspondent Of the London Iele-
graph writes: Thus they came on, and
presently opened so fearful rifle fire
that the bullets fell around US all like
hail. As yet our infantry were quiet;
not rifle was heard, and the foe was
coming nearer to the semi-circular
trenches of which I have before spoken.
Suddenly there is q movement In the
bushes, sharp note from the bugle, a
rattle of bayonets and steel barrels, and
then little cheer. Our men are NOV
ing, the supports are taking the empty
trenches, and the rest of each battalion
is in the reserve lines. All at once such
fire pours forth as envelops you in
smoke, and makes that still advancing
column stagger. Yet only for a minute;
there is q counter cheer and rapid
rush. Whirr how the bullets fly past
them; with what shrieks do The shells
bound in | See, the Servians are stand
ing still for moment, firing yet, but
coming no nearer to the mountain.
Their line is gradually being fed, too,
and they are extending every moment
It is only the fear of the shells and the
bullets which makes them hesitate.
Perhaps not only the fear, but rather
the effect, for now they are falling fast,
and without the aid even Of glass We
can see that they are strewing the
ground by hundreds or staggering away
to die. Harder than ever is our fire, as
theirs weakens, and more determined,
too, are our men, for they now quit the
outpost trenches and are advancing upon
the bewildered enemy. Volley after
volley from the foe fails to stop them;
they leave many comrade on the
ground, but on they 60, till at length
the Servians, seeing their red fezes COM
ing nearer and nearer, turn and fly, de-
serting 5000 of their number, who will
never see home in Russia or on the
banks of the Danube any more.
Not one WAS there but might have been
the hardy father of a numerous family.
I did not see boy among them. One
in particular I noticed-and he was but
a type of the rest-a tall, well made,
broad shouldered warrior, who, having
fought to his uttermost and received
wound in the stomach, had lain down
upon the road to Derbent in hope OF
succor. Unhsppily for him, friends
we're far away, and his comrades had
hung in fantastic fashion, on tree hard
by, Circassian, who, having fallen into
their hands, had been first tortured and
put to death. I was looking at him as I
rode by, wondering if he were yet alive,
when, horrible to relate, there came
upon the scene four Ohirkessoes. They,
too, had seen their hanging comrade,
and they thirsted for blood. At this
moment the wounded Servian raised
his head and rolled his CLASSY eyes round
in hope of deserving help. Down sprung
Circassian, and with little dagger
pierced the dying man through and
through, cut off his right hand, and
ripped him up as he lay upon the
ground. Fortunately his end was near,
and he expired; but even in death, he
was handsome giant, this victim to the
barbarous war which Russia has caused
and waged.
Year: 1876

"The American people," said an
English writer on our politics, "ls per-
petually voting for some election or
other" Somebody, it might be added,
has to bear the expense OF these per-
petual elections. Just what the expense
is, in general canvass like that which
has just drawn to close, it is difficult
to estimate with any approach to &C.
curacy for there are no statistics e1-
tant upon the subject, and the politicians
who plan and conduct campaigns are
naturally reticent upon such matters.
It is plain, however, that there must be
a heavy outlay of money. The printing
and distribution of campaign documents,
the rental of public halls, the pay OF
stump speakers, the purchase of ban
ners, torches, uniforms and other para
phernalia /; the expense of postage and
telegraphing-all these are necessary
outlays, and when the extent to which
they are carried throughout the country
is borne in mind it becomes very ap-
parent that the aggregate must be epor-
nous. A paragraph has lately been 60
ing the rounds of the press, to the
effect that the strenuous campaign in
Indiana preparatory to the recent State
election consumed ton million dollars.
This is, of course, wild exaggeration,
based upon mere random guess. An
estimate that seems to US not tar from
the truth places the average cost Of a
Presidential election at about one mil
lion five hundred thousand dollars for
each of the great opposing parties, or
total OF three million dollars. Accept
ing this as within the bounds of prob
ability, it would seem that the expense
of putting a President into the White
House is fifteen times greater than the
whole amount of salary paid to the in
cumbent during his term OF four years.
Calling the population OF tho country
about forty millions this would be
equivalent to tax of seven and one
half cents head for every man, woman
and child in the United States. The
maintenance Of the court of France for
the first year Of the second empire was
less than two cents per head OF the popu-
lation. It appears that the cost OF
making President may be greater than
that of keeping prince.


The expense Of our elections, how
ever, are borne mainly by voluntary
contribution. The burden falls chiefly
on wealthy partisans who expect to
share in some way the benefits ensuing
from the election of their candidate. 1t
takes the form of tax only in the case
of Office holders, who are assessed for
election expenses by the party in power.
The burden touches the people re-
motely and indirectly, if at all. while in
reality they derive an actual and i'm
mediate benefit. The various devices
by which their sympathy and support
are solicited awaken more active inter
est in public affairs, and the masses
thereby acquire the rudiments OF politi'
cal education, instead of remaining in
apathy and ignorance of the condition
Of the country and the administration of
the government. Great as the costs OF
our elections may be, they cannot be
lamented as an unmitigated burden upon
the people. e.-NeW York Herald.