smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876




The recent Kentucky meat shower,
bad as it was, has been eclipsed by
still more recent and Objectionable
shower, which occurred in California.
It was restricted to the narrow area of
single city lot, on Van Ness Street,
San Francisco; but it was of unparallel-
ed violence and malignity. Early one
evening the Van Ness Street family was
quietly seated around the social center
table, the father explaining to casual
Eastern visitor the unequaled beauties
of the California climate, and the moth
er hushing her baby by reading in .
monotonous murmur the report Of the
days sale Of mining stocks. Suddenly
a loud pattering was heard on the roof,
mingled with the last despairing cry of
some strange tom-cat in his agony.
The pattering and the cries increased,
and a shower Of heavy objects fell from
the caves and ratified on the pavement
below. The whole family rushed to the
front piazza, and, by the increasing
light of the full moon, beheld scores Of
cats pouring from the roof. Cats Of all
sizes and colors were sliding over the
shingles and turning wild somersanlts
in the air. At one moment gigantic
tom-cat would clutch at the pitiless
gutter pipe, and failing to break his
fall, would shoot, meteor-like, with out
stretched tail, through the astonished
night, and impale himself on the iron
spikes Of the front fence. At another
moment staid tOrtoise-shell tabby, Of
untarnished reputation, would make the
fatal plunge, uttering blasphemous
and blood-curdling yells until she
Drained herself on the brick pave
ment. The Mortified family fed to the
cellar, where they passed the night in
denouncing the weather bureau, in vain
ly attempting to convince their Eastern
guests that an occasional cat shower in
no way detracted from the unequaled
excellence of the California climate, and
in searching pocket New Testament
for the account of the destruction OF
Sodom and Gomorrah. The shower
did not last more than fifteen minutes,
although it sprinkled cats at intervals
until morning. When daylight came
every fence-spike was ornamented with
an impaled cat, and the yard was SO
thickly strewn with the dead and
wounded that an experienced meteorol.
ogist, who subsequently investigated
the affair, reported that at least eight
inches of cats must have fallen during
the night. The theory put forth by this
skeptical man of science in order to &C.
count for the shower hardly needs to be
refuted. He invented small boy,
whom he accused of greasing the ROOT
with imaginary butter, which caused
some hundreds of cats, assembled or
the ridge-pole with a view to singing
the praises of love and mice, to lose
their footing. Inasmuch as he failed
to produce either the boy or the butter,
and also failed to explain how q boy
could keep his footing on CREASED
roof, where the most skillful cat, ever
with the aid of four feet and full sci
of claws, could not maintain position
we can only pity the weakness and
despise the effrontery of the scientific
skeptic. York Times.
Year: 1876



 A meeting of the citizens of Sheffield was held at the town hall on Saturday af- ternoon of last week to appoint committees for transacting the business preparatory to our centennial celebration. which takes place June 18th and 18th. There was not as large an attendance at this meeting as there should have been, for every citizen should feel that it is his or her duty to take part in the coming festivities. We feel to sympathize CD with the jealously inclined who did not get into office at this meeting, and who went to their homes grumbling that my wife and r had beens sighted by the nominating committee! The pro- gramme is as follows, or so we are in | formed. On the 18th we shall have the I pleasure of listening to some fine sermons appropriate to the day, and on the follow ing day procession, headed by band mu- sic, will march from the green on Shef' field Plains to the Congregational church, where historical addresses will be delivered and short speeches given, enlivened by fine music. Prof. George F. Root is expected to take charge of the singing. Then { march to the pine grove west of the M. E. church, where collation. will be given to all. In the evening centennial dress par tY and promenade concert will take place at the town hall. Let everyone look uE the old relics of dress and come forth, fol one evening at least, and imagine ourselves | tTN hn Ni Sunday evening last, Rev. Germond of this place did not deliver the sermon he prom lsed us, but we learn that it is postponed to next Sunday evening. His subject is The recognition of our friends in Heaven, and as everyone feels interested in this, we hespeak for him full house. May he GroI some words of comfort for those who doubt, yet long to believe, that we shal know each other there.' A.
Year: 1876

It is currently reported that valiant few of this town, as an illustration of the ad vance made during the past century in civ ilization, toleration and liberalism, both in politics and religion, have organized with the ultimate object in view of re-enacting the famous code of Blue Laws, being of the opinion that the only true and proper way to elevate and improve the morals of community is to force into the people re- ligious teachings of that particular kind and quality which usually emanates from a narrow and bigoted mind and although history teaches us that this forcing opera tion never yet was successful It may be that the tables are about to be turned, and that the eyes of the. whole world will be di- rected to this quarter of the nutmeg state in admiration of the valiant band who have triumphed our history and achieved a sue cess never before accomplished. ....The so ciable at the town hali Friday evening last was complete success in every respect. A select company of ladies and gentlemen from this town were in attendance and passed most enjoyable evening in that mo ost rational, sensible and graceful amuse- ment-dancing.."..The preparations for summer boarders are less extensive than in former years, but goodly number may be expected The Pleasant View House has been refurnished throughout, and is now ready for the reception of guests. Those who wish to pass few months in truly delightful place, surrounded by all the re- quirements for real enjoyment, cannot do better than to secure quarters of Mine Host Bartram at once. ALPHA.
Year: 1876

'I WONDER WHAT BILL BARNUM WOULD GIVE TO BE ABLE TO FIX PRESS HIMSELF IN PUBLIC AS I CAM"

 For a more particular description of the moral and intellectual worth and character of henbills, we refer without permission 10 the back files of the Winsted Press, pub lished by his former associate and partner, Editor Pinuey.
Year: 1876

Subscription Accountable date on the colored slip of paper with the name of the sub scriber shows the time to which tho sub- scriptiOn is paid thus. R. B. Smith 5Jul77,

 indicates that MT. Smith has paid for his paper to July 9th, 1874. It is hoped that subscribers will see to it that their account, as indicated by the date on their papers, is always correct and when they pay for renewal of their subscription, will observe whether their date is changed to indicate the proper credit and in the event of an error to inform us for correction at once. No claims for errors in these accounts will hereafter be consid

 cred unless presented within thirty days after the payment is claimed to have been made, as the regular receipt of the paper with the date to which the subscription is paid plainly printed thereon, is prima facie evidence of its

 ceptance as correct. J. l.. PEAsE.
Year: 1876

Es~ A story is told of couple of queer old Spanish planters on the banks of the St. Johns river, between whom there eX- isted a deadly feud. After the death of one, his will was found to contain dircc- tions to bury him in close proximity to his enemy's fence, that he .might be able to haunt him and show him that even in death he is unforgiven.' While the burial was taking place, the unforgiven neighbor was hopping about on the other side of tue fence, COW. bell tied to each knee, shoot ing gun and blowing horn as charm to Hull the evil spirit. After the friends of the departed had retired, the old man built large fire on the grave, and then went to his home, perfectly satisfied that his form CT enemy's evil spirit is laid and will not annoy him.
Year: 1876

PLAYING HANG.-The Troy Press says, q few days since seven year old lad named Willie Hamilton, in company with another lad of about the same age, went into an unoccupied chamber in their fathers house in Cohoes, to play. The room had been used for drying clothes, and the clothes had been left hanging. Willie, seeing this, conceived the brilliant idea of playing sui eide; so. arranging bench to stand on, he mounted it and fastened the rope securely about his neck. His companion then took the bench from under his feet and stood by and laughed at the strangling lads contor tions. Soon Willie's little sister appeared upon the scene, and she was in turn seized with an immediate fit of laughter at the funny faces her brother was making.- Round and round the minimizing children danced and laughed until the noisy demon strations attracted Willie's mother to the scene She, mortified at the childs black ening face and protruding tongue and eyes, with shriek sprang to the rescue, and seizing the little fellow ill her arms relieved the strain, and none too soon, for respira- ton had well nigh ceased and the heart bea,ings of the child in another instant would have ceased forever. The lad was taken from his perilous position and efforts were made for the resuscitation of the al most lifeless form, and it was only sitter a heightened suspense that signs of returning animation appeared. Willie is now himself again. On being interrogated as to hls ex

 periencc while hanging, he says it didn't hurt after the first minute; that after the bench was taken from under him he tried to tell his playmate to put it back, as he

 was choking, and was much surprised and

 frightened when he found he could no, | talk
Year: 1876

Eg- We are informed by postmasters the fol- lowing named subscribers have left the places where they have been regularly receiving THE NEWS, and as they did not notify us of their change of post t-ofice: and are in arrears to the fish their only address known to us and if any of our readers know of the whereabouts of any Of them they will do us a favor by informing us- Is it exactly HONEST treatment. to receive news paper till several dollars are due and then leave the postmaster to inform us the paper is not re- ce ived, and the subscriber gone, nobody knows where The following have done this: Does anvhndv A EnANN " here they are
Year: 1876

WAR IssUEs.-This business of raising
war issues in the canvass as reasons for or
against the election of candidates is small.
Many good, patriotic men questioned the
wisdom of the war against the South. They
had right to their opinions. Why should
those opinions be recalled by truculent
politicians, anxious only for power, who
supported the war, if the truth were known
for power and not for patriotism. These
men appeal to passions that should die and
hatrcds that should be forgotten, and they
should be frowned upon as mischievous
dernagogues.
Year: 1876

The decease Of Mr.. Kerr, which is ex-
pected from hour to hour, will be serious
misfortune to the democratic party and q
loss to the public life of the country. His
firm integrity, amiable temper, modest man.
ners and irreproachable life have always
commanded the confidence of political
friends and the respect of political oppo-
nents, and he will be sincerely mourned by
all who have been associated with him in the
national councils. Tho death of such a
man in these degenerate times is q public
calamity. He falls in the prime of
manhood. when new opportunities of
distinction and usefulness were opening
before him, and his political party is de-
privcd of the services of one of its few
members of ripe and trained capacity for
public affairs. Mr.. Kerr was more remark
able for clear head, sound judgment and
power Of perspicuous statement than for
what is called intellectual brilliancy, his
talents being solid, not snowy, and match
ing his character, which was steady. faithful
and manly, but not impulsive He dies
with the calm resignation Of Christian.
anxious only for his family, whom he leaves
in honorable poverty.


A vacancy in the Speakership takes away
ono of the legal safeguards for keeping
the Presidential Office always filled, but
this is perhaps Of little consequence. as
the contingency against which this provi-
sion is made seems very remote. Ordinarily
four lives stand as q protection against an
executive vacancy-namcly, the President
the Vice President, the presiding officer of
the Senate and the Speaker Of the House.
The four will be reduced 10 two by the
deaths Of Vice President Wilson and Speaker
Kerr, and an accident to Mr.. Ferry would
leave the Presidency suspended on the un-
certain thread of n single human life. There
is no reason for expecting danger, but still
it is always desirable to have Mt least three
Of the four Offices always filed as an in
suranco against the confusion which would
result from government without an ex-
ecutive head.
Year: 1876

Many members of Congress made stren-
uous opposition to the bill authorizing
the enlistment of twenty-five hundred
additional cavalrymen to serve against
the Indians. The ground of opposition
was that there are abundant troops in the
South that might be employed against the
Indians Even without any minute investi-
founded. It is preposterous and incredible
that with On army of twenty-five thousand
men the government cannot 'muster force
of more than three or four thousand for
active service in an emergency. Act
ing on this presumption we have caused
careful inquiries to be made, and the
result is stated in detail in our correspon-
dence elsewhere. The reader will find full
and authentic statement of the number
of federal troops in the Southern States,
with the name of each company and the
place where it is stationed. The conclusion
regiments might be spared from the military
posts in the South to reinforce Crook and
Terry in their campaign against the Sioux.
There is, of course, no reason why these
troops should not be- kept in the South
for precautionary purposes so long as there is
no employment for them elsewhere; but
it is n wasteful absurdity to maintain idle
soldiers in the South while we are prose-
cutting an active campaign against the In
dians with an insufficient force. The State
militia should be adequate for every
emergency in the South, or if the
militia of any particular State can
not be relied on to put down
riot, and federal assistance should be
needed, it is lawful for the President to call
out the militia Of the States whose loyalty
and fidelity could be safely trusted. We
ask attention to the striking exhibit pre-
sented by our Washington correspondent.


The order from Secretary Cameron to
General Sherman, which we also print,
shows that the administration has had
very definite use to make of these troops all
the time, and we at once see why Crook
and Terry have been deliberately left with
out adequate support. 1t is expected
that the five regiments will carry four Of
the Southern States, by whipping the
negroes into line who have either become
listless in politics or wandered off to the
democracy, and by terrifying the 'dendish'
white liners into subje By keeping the
outrage mill slowly grinding, and sending
platoons of cavalry hither and thither, it is
evidently hoped to revive the bitterness which
has been rapidly disappearing between the
races in most parts of the South. We wish
to see oil citizens protected in their rights,
but this turning Of the army Of the United
States into bands Of drummers for the negro
vote is pushing partisanship so far that
it would be grotesque if it were not
infamous This is doubtless the work
to which General Sherman referred when he
said the ''highest authority" must answer
why the troops could not be spared to fight
the Sioux. The desperation Of a move
which dares to saddle the country with the
expense Of extra soldiers while keeping
nearly four thousand idle for political pur-
poses is apparent, and adds another stigma
to the rule of the party in whose name and
for whose aid it is unblushingly done.
Year: 1876

The FRENCH CHAMBERS have passed law
making elementary education obligatory on
oil the children in France. This is the
wisest measure that has been passed by the
Republic. There can be no true liberty
that is not based upon education, and what
France needs now is law something like
that presented to the Convention by Robe
sperre-one of the best laws on the subject
of education ever conceived.
Year: 1876

TROUBLES are looming up in Crete, where
Turkish rule only exists by the aid of strong
battalions. AS a diversion in favor Of Ser
via the uneasiness in the island comes lit
tie late !; but while the Moslem is in difficulty
is the Cretan opportunity for gaining an ex-
tension Of privileges.
Year: 1876

The Presidents theory that Congress
should not interfere with the prerogatives
of the Executive by abolishing missions is
new one. We have no doubt the President
has been advised that his position is ten
able one, or he would not have taken the
trouble to address the Senate on the subject
The words of the constitutional provision in
reference to ambassadors would seem to
carry out the point involved in this Message
But we cannot think of any absolute power
over the subject in the hands of the Presi-
dent If an ambassador under our govern
ment was like an ambassador from other
governments the Presidents prerogative
would be obvious In monarchical countries
the ambassador represents the person of the
monarch. He can claim more than royal i'm
munities and almost royal honors. Our
ambassadors are not representatives of the
Presidents person, but of his Office. It
follows, therefore, that If the rep
resentatives Of the people do not SEQ
the wisdom of embassies it is not for
the Executive to interpose his will. Any
thing under our government that looks like
concentration and Capitalization, anything
that adds to the powers or prerogatives of
the President should not be encouraged.
Now that the President has advanced this
right we trust that Congress will take it up
and decide the question. There should be
no question of this kind between the Presi-
dent and Congress-


The President, in reducing the ministers
in various countries to the rank OF charges
datfaires, accepts the decree of Congress in
o proper spirit. At the same time he
should have gone further. Now is the time
to revise our whole diplomatic service AS
it now stands it is an imitation of tho mo-
narchical system, for which we have no need.
We are not in such relations with foreign
nations as to need these elaborate diplomatic
systems. We do not need an embassy in
Germany and Russia and France. We have
no particle of use for ministers in Italy,
Austria or Turkey. We should have a Min
lister at the Court Of st. James and another
resident on the Continent, in Paris or
Geneva 1t should be the duty of this Con-
tinental minister to visit courts where we
happen to have any business. Thus Ban
croft Davis is competent to transact every
matter Of business that we have had with all
the Continental Powers since he crossed the
ocean, without any more hardship than is
involved in journey from one capital to
another. In small kingdoms, as in CONNER
cial towns, we could have consuls, whose
duty it would be to look after the business
int nc nf an,,1a Ac {ho hoe
are now constituted they have a social
value no more. They are pleasant resorts
for wandering Americans whose time hangs
heavy on their hands. The President has
done so we'll in handling these appropria-
ton bills, and especially in reducing the
bill for the Improvement of rivers and har-
bors, that we regret exceedingly his failure
to take hold of the diplomatic business and
give the country genuine reform.
Year: 1876

RAPID TRANsrr.-The decision of Judge
Let us welcome it, and let US thank Judge
Van Hoesen for his prompt and just action
This heated term and its effect upon the
poor are melancholy arguments in favor of
rapid transit
Year: 1876

In the performance which took place last
night at Baireuth, and lasted seven hours
and half, the most important part of waE-
ner's music drama was reached and success
fully accomplished. The hero Siegfried is
the central figure, around whom gods


nymphs, dwarfs and giants revolve. Our
special correspondent at Baircuth refers to
the enthusiasm Of the audience and the
striking effect Of some of the scenes
Of tho opera. The intermissions were
two hours in length. leaving FIVE hours and
a half of solid music-enough, one would
think, to satisfy the most insatiate appetite.


No wonder that poor Betz weakened at tho
prospect of such an ordeal after two nights
expenditure of lung power in "Rheingold"
and ''Die Walkiire." The selections from
the score of the opera which We present to-
day have been very carefully made and
will convey an idea, stronger than words
could express, of the characteristics of the
music A very interesting account Of the
first grand rehearsal OF the introduction to
the Trilogy also appears in our columns
to-day. Tho conscientious earnestness and
unfagging industry of the composer are un-
deniable, whatever may be the divided opin-
ions regarding his music Although many
will be inclined to differ from Hueffer in his
glowing tribute to Wagner. when he says
''he has crushed the hard fctters of petrifed
formalitics in tho firm grasp of his hand


remoulding the dead metal by tho burning
breath of his genius into new shapes of har-
monious fashion" yet all must pay homage
to tho greatness of an intellect that has
created such marked revolution in the
realms of music. In the vast and varied
history OF the divine art the four perform
anoes at Baireuth of the Ring of tho Nibe-
lungen" will occupy q most prominent place.
Year: 1876

Once when Victoria was at Bal
moral with her retinue of lords and
ladies, her musicians and her
grooms, a neighboring nobleman,
not remarkable for his depth of
mind, came to see the royal pageant.
His Scottish ear was charmed anew
with the music squeezed out of the
bagpipes by the royal piper, and he
resolved to add such a charm to his
castle.


Taking with him his attendants,
and putting on the pompous airs
Of a great man toward an inferior,
he approached the piper, who was
prouder of his victory over that
doleful windbag than ever Alexan-
der was of his conquests, and ad-
dressed him thus


"My good man, I like your pipes,
and the music you make on them /;
and I've resolved to have a piper of
my own"


swell, sir?" asked the naughty
Holus, in a tone which meant,
"What do / care if you have?"


81 came to ask if you can get a
piper for me?" continued the lord.


81 can, sir "a score of them. if
you like. What kind of a piper do
you want?"


81 want Just such a piper as
yourself!" exclaimed the lord, with
the air Of man who felt that he
had bestowed great boon on an
humble person.


This was too much for the pride
of the piper, and, drawing himself
up to his greatest hight, he roared
out, in contemptuous tone:


+" That, my lord, / Gamma do
for while lords like ye are plenty
pipers like me are verra scarce"


Line lord walked away, not lit
tie crest.fallen, and, understanding
the reproof to be: A humble MAJ
at the head of his profession is o
more worth than a nobleat the foo
of the line. A cobbler who mend
a shoe well is a more valuable mar
to the world than the ship-builde,
who through careleSsness or incom
potency sends ship to sea will
imperfect machinery. The ditchel
who drains worthless swamp thar
it may yield seed to the sower anC
bread to the reaper is worth mucl
more to his fellow-men than thC
lawyer who by unwise counsell
complicates a difficulty, thus max.
ing a bad matter worse. Whatever
we do, let us do it well, and try tC
stand first in our line of labor.