smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

Mr., Frank Buckland thus explains the
manner in which the oyster builds his
shell:


The body of an oyster is a poor, weak
thing, apparently incapable OF doing
anything at all. Yet what Q marvellous
house an oyster builds around bis deli.
cate frame. When On oyster is first
born he is very simple, delicate dot, as
it we're, and yet he is born with his two
shells upon him.


For some unknown reason, he always
fixes himself on his round shell, never
by his flat shell, and being once fixed he
begins to grow; but he only grows in
summer. Inspect an oyster she'll close
ly, and it will be seen that it is marked
with distinct lines. As the rings we OBJ
serve in the section of the trunk OF q
tree denote years of growth, so do the
markings on an oyster tell us how many
years he has passed in his "bed" at the
bottom Of the sea.


Suppose the oyster under inspection
was born June Is, 1870. he would 60 on
growing up to the first line we see well
marked; he would then stopfor the win
ter. In summer, 1877, he would more
than double his size. In 1873 and 1874
he would again go on building, till he
was 'dredged up in the middle OF his
work in 1875; so that he is plainly five
and o half years old. The way in which
an oyster grows his shell is q pretty
sight. I have watched it frequently.
The beard of an oyster is not only his
breathing organ-i. e., hiaS|npss-but
also his feeding organ, by N116h he con-
veys the food to bis complicated mouth
with its four lips.


When the warm, calm days OF June
come, the oyster opens his shell, and,
by means of his beard, begins building
an additional story to his house. This
he does by depositing very, very tine
particles of carbonate Of lime, till at last
they form a substance as thin as silver
paper, and exceedingly fragile. Then
|, he adds more and more, I'LL at last the
new shell is as hard as tte old shell.
When oysters are growing their shells
they must be handled very carefully, as
the new growth of shell will cut Like
broken glass, and wound on the
finger from an oyster shell is often very
dangerous.
Year: 1876

uIEHbEEr Srksckn says that the gold
ring now worn by married women In the
sign Of the iron ring that was worn
about the neck or ankle in olden times,
and indicates the submission OF the
M,arer. Mr. Spencer is Q bachelor.
Year: 1876

NEW LoSDoS, August II, 1870


The New York Yacht Club have reason TO
complain Of want of wind the run from Shelter
Island 10 this port, Its members with the
squadron easily recall the when the weather
was more inclemcnt Rain, at first drxzing COM
menced fall the boats prepared to leave their
anchorage in Greenport Harbor. but it soon in
creased In violence until staying deck and keeping
dry or comfortable was impossibity. You would
become soaked TO the skin nvo minutes This
state Of affairs however, did not frghten many OF
tho owners as with rubber suits they bravcd the
storm, and remaining deck rewarded with
interesting struggle


AT sh. 3Om the flagship fred gun and slgnalled to
''prepare get under way" All hands then turned
to shortened chain, and the capstans were spun
around with a will 1t breczing gently from the
south southeast with signs of increasing, which *erc
realized All hands aloft club ,opsais oosened
jibs ready for the summons TO be away
which was agreed TO be given at nine O'Clock. The
Rambler, Wandcrcr and even the flagship Alarm broke
anchor before that hour evidently with the intention Of
improving their positions, but gave them all advantage
which some OF tho others did not possess The second
gun given time. and in instant seemingly
all were on their Journey Tho sight rareiy
witnessed, as the numerous fleet, with clean and trim
appearance and gay and varied coored signals floating
all felt the influence of the lavorng tide and fresben





cony Of the Manhanset House chccrcd Justify and the
ladies waved handkcrcheis, whi!c some


eascd with the sight that they attempted to join the
sterncr in their shouts In less than half q mln-
ute the seventeen yachts making their way down
the shore of Shelter Island except the Dreadnaught
but she laggard only by compuision there
not enough Tor her to swing with the balance In
few minutes the Rambler hauled up round Hay Beach
Point but it must be remembered she started fully
fifteen minutes before the rest and following after
the Vision, that darted away with alacrty; the
Estcc next then the Arrow Josephine and Meia with
the balance In bunch cable length astcrn Captain
Monroe Bggs, of tho lstelle, worked her very
shrewdy out OF the poor position which she held
quickly getting away which somewhat astonshed his
brother sailing masters; but then the Captain was
at home and he knows every inch OF tho about
Grecnport as he does his own house. The W ind
dropped little for moment, and the splendid sloop
Arrow came skmming up with tremendous jD top
sail and cndeavons to go by the Estee to windward;
but that scheme frustrated AS the glorious
pageant passed OF sight from the Manhansett House,
the side Of tho hotel looking over Gardeners Bay
filed with people, and Goulds cannon. the hull
side. busy in frlng the goodby salute The leading
yachts shot by the point as under:--
Year: 1876

The booksellers of New York are in a peck
of trouble over the fabulous am1unts Of money
locked up in the pool-boxes. Ordinarily the
money would have been paid over TO the win
ners long before this, for no reasonable doubt
would have existed as to the result. but the
election Is in dispute, and with little probabil-
itv that the votes Of the Presidential electors
will settle It on the sixth proximo, the date OF
their meeting. To secure themselves, the
booksellers will not feel authorized, should
Hayes be counted in, TO part with the money
they hold in trust until It Is positively and
finally determined who's who. One seller de-
clares that if it Is apparently conceded that
either of the candidates has It. he must, be
fore disbursing. have Il in black and white
from the other that he relinquishes all right,
title and interest in the election; that, in
short, he gives ii up, and would advise the
pool-man to 20 and do likewise.
Year: 1876

We gladly make place for the follow
ing letter from General Chalmers in answer
to ~. R. of the New York Times, and
ask for It a fair and candid consideration
at the hands Of those who differ with US politically;
those Of the Republicans who are not In the secrets
and IN conspiracy with Grant, Sherman and Sher-
idan 10 oYerawe the people, intimldate them from
the assertion of their liberties, and prevent the con-
summation Of their purpose as expressed at the bal
lUt-box on the seventh instant. General Chalmers
IN this letter. his assailaHt IN most conyinc
Ing terms, and makes plain the manner and method
OF victory without parallel In the political history
Of the country.
Year: 1876

The Independent ArkaHSion calls atten-
ton to the open letter addressed by Poker
Jack Mcclure to the Radicals Of the third
district of Arkansas, in which the judge is
quite severe on the apathy manifested in the
late election by his party. He shows them
that If the Republicans had voted for himself
FIVE hundred votes He charges that Milt
Rice received more than six hundred Re
publican votes, while less than hundred
Democrats voted for RICE, and that in this
way Rice caused his defeat. The gist Of the
letter II showing the importance Of discipline
in the party. Much of what tue Judge says
to the party. remarks the ArkGnsi0a, is good
advice TO the Democracy also.
Year: 1876

THE Natchez Democrat concludes an edito-
nal upon the political situation with the fol-
lowing significant sentence: The south is a
powerful unit, whose strength Is well worth
oourting; It's impulses are right, and so its
vote goes, but if the northern Democracy il
too timid to uphold the right, or unequal to
the maintenance Of the victory achieved by
our help, there Is no tie 10 bind the south
forever to defeat, when It can secure the tri-
umph Of the right in other paths"
Year: 1876

TIE Philadelphia Inquirer jRepubhcanl
has It's say IN reference to the counting of the
electoral vote and says that g if a single cleo
toral vote throws the choice Of President into
the house of representative, and, as matters
now stand either party may succeed in throw
ing out the vote of the State Of Louisiana on
the grounds Of fraud, false count, or, last
resort, on the allegation that the Comnqg-
wealth has not arepubican form Of govern
ment II this should be done it Is the opin-
Jon of some leading Radical statesmen that
congress viii assume the right to choose the
chief-magistIate or order a new election for
President and President IN the State
thrown out, or in all of the States.
Year: 1876

Below we give the opinions Of many Of the
leading newspapers Of the country upon the outrage
perpetrated by the Radical thieves in South Carroll
ma, abetted BY the Radical thieves in Washington,
and sustained by the national police force, called
the army and navy Of the United States. 1t will be
seen that Grant gets but little comfort and 50 far
public opinion IS concerned counts without his host
Year: 1876

When our prosperous city was in its
infancy, a young blacksmith and his
wife lived near the junction of North
First street and Hennepin Avenue.
Not successful in business at that
time, the young husband, whose real
name was John Felix, though he bore
the most tender affection for his young
wife, as the sequel shows, started
for the far West, with the determina-
ton to obtain wealth and independence.
Here he remained until the break
ing out of the civil war, when he en-
listed and became a Union soldier.
While under the command of General
Sherman, he met comrade from our
city, who told him of the sad misgiv-
ings of his former wife, and of her
marriage (she for some reason had
never heard from him, though he had
written her several letters), to a second
husband. Felix then informed his
comrade that he should never return
home until he had acquired the inde-
pendent fortune he had first unsuccess-
fully strived to obtain. Upon the close
of the war, he once more turned his
sorrowful footsteps toward the West,
and there soon laid the basis of that
! fortune he had been so long searching





Territory, his flock grew in number,
and his fortune smiled as blandly as his
ambition could desire, and he was, most
naturally, as time passed, overcome
with the desire to once more visit the
spot where his happiest moments had
| been spent. About six months since he
wrote to his son, who at the time re-
sided near Minneapolis and received the
| letter. The boy, who was an infant at
| the time of his fathers departure, and
never knew him, could not understand
| its meaning, and gave it to his mother,
who instantly recognized the writing,
and, with a woman's nature, her first
! love so dwelt in her heart that she told
| her second husband, without a mo-
ments warming, that she could not live
with him any longer. During the past
week, John Felix, after an absence of
over II years, returned to our city, and
! having learned that she who was once
| his wife was keeping boarding-house
on North First street, he Immediately
went thither. He called and recognized
! her voice and figure, those charms he
| had admired in days past. He appealed
to her charity by telling her he had no
money. She told him he was welcome
to such fare as her home afforded.
While waiting upon him, he asked her
> numerous questions, and finally wound
up by asking her if she ever knew a
man in the city by the name of John
Felix. Her curiosity being greatly
aroused at having a name pronounced
she had seldom heard for years, and di-
vining through the magnetism of love
who the man before her was, she threw
herself into his arms and gave way to
the joyful tears that remained unwept
through all her long waiting, and John
says he cried too. John further informs
us that he intends soon to return with
his family to the land that has pros
pered him, and where we arecreditably
| informed he is reckoned among the
wealthy ranchmen who inhabit the fer
tile plain.-MinnedpOLiS Tribune.
Year: 1876

NOT A GENTLEMAN.-Abou a year
ago, while on my way to a city in Ten
nessee, was seated in a first-class car,
and directly in front of me sat a rough
looking individual reading a newspaper
and smoking a cigar, seemingly una
ware that smoking was prohibited in
the car. The conductor, passing through,
saw him and said:


Gentlemen are not allowed to smoke
in this car, sir"


The man, coolly taking the cigar out
of his mouth, said:


''I amt no gentleman, never was one,
and never expect to be ~ and then con-
tinued smoking, perfectly at ease.


This cool answer seemed to petrify the
conductors tongue, for, after contem-
plating the smoker in silent amaZement
for few moments, he walked off and
bothered him no more about the rule
against smoking.
Year: 1876

a sad incident occurred at the funeral
of young girl near Berlin the other
day. Her mother, an old woman of
sixty, who was standing on the edge of
the grave with head bowed down with
grief, suddenly uttered a piercing
shrek, and fell headlong into the open
pit. She was raised at once, but life
had fled
Year: 1876

IMPORTANT CONVENTIONS IN PHILADELPHIA.
There has been an almost apparent con.
cert Of action on the part of the various
bodies holding their anniversaries at this
season to make Philadelphia the point of
asscmblagc. General conventions of an in
tercsting character are announced to be
held there during the whole of the Centen.
NAL period and it is probable that there
will be scarcely day that some association
will not be in session, and generally several
Will be transacting business at the same
time. Last week there were SIX of these
Conventions. either of which in ordinary
times would have attracted the full atten-
ton Of the community. The most notable
of these meetings were the National Tenn
pcrance Association, the Association of
Medical Superintendcnts Of Institutions for
the Insane, and the American Society of
Civil Engineers. The Temperance associa-
ton varied its proceedings by holding Il
session on the Centennial grounds while
the action of the authorities in permitting
the sale of liquor on the premises was
reviewed in lively fashion. The meeting of
Superintendents was the means of assem-.
bling Il greater number Of earnest and
learned men, devoted to the care of the
insane, than have ever met on any similar
occasion. The discussions took a wide
range, covering both the question Of the
proper administration of Insane Asvlums
and the causes and methods of cure OF
mental diseases. All the gentlemen con.
cerned say that the great cause never had
as bright a future before it, either in
America or Europe, as at present.
Year: 1876

The SEASON Ann DIET.-Howeyer doctors
may differ rs to the proper methods of
treating di caseF, all seem to agree as 10
the Importance of the proper regulation of
diet as sanitary preventive. The extreme
warm weather admonishes to eat sparingly
OF meat and other heating articles OF food.
and to substitute as far rs possible good
fresh vegetables and fruit, milk and bread,


Ball. SIN.
Year: 1876

There was rather Il serious railroad
smashup at Wyoming last Saturday morn
ing The passenger train which leaves
there at $50 in the morning was standing
on the side track, where it had been
switched off the night before, as usual.
But the switchman, after switching the
train off, forgot to set the switch back. So
the next morning, a freight train, in at
tempting to 80 by Wyoming, was diverted
by the misplaced switch, and ran off on the
side track where the passenger train was
standing. The result was a smashup. Two
or three cars were completely wrecked and
one or both of the locomotives. Simon
IIillyard, an engineer, was badly hurt, as
were also a fireman and brakeman. 1t
was all the result of stupid carelessnesS.
Year: 1876

as when Secretary Fish sent his last
to the British Govern
ment. The Earl Of Derby's reply will be
considered at the Cabinet meeting on
Friday, and the reply then decided'upon
will 1t 10 thought close the correspond
enoe.


Governor Kellogg,


OF Louisiana, had an interview with the
President with reference to obtaining
prompt assistance OF the Government
In case of any further disturbance In
of which he thinks there is
great danger. He was referred by the
President to the Attorney General, on
whom he Immediately called, and had q
very long conference, setting forth all
the details OF the recent trouble between
the whites and blacks in that
State, and urging the necessi-
ty .of the Government being
ready to act promptly In the future. The
Attorney General gave him TO under
stand that if he aided 1t would be in ac-
cordancs with the laws of the Constitu-
tion and would be readily Afforded.
Ever since the war 1t has been the habit
OF the State authorities of Louisiana and
other Southern States, in case of any
little disturbance, to call upon the Gen.
eral Government for military assistano
without attempting to quell 1t them
selves, as II it were In time Of war in
stead of peace. Governor Kellogg In
tends having another interview with the
President upon the subject.
Year: 1876

BY American Press Association to the STAR.


NEW ORLEANS, May 1s.-The latest re.
ports from Feliciana show that every
thing is now quiet there. Gen. Augur
will cause an Investigation OF the
trouble by staff officer, and not until
it Ia over will the whole truth be known.
Year: 1876

There u . great deal of naturalization
going On, the election being in the near
perspective. Deputy clerks are active, be-
Gauss, doing all the extra work, they have
. rVasoR to expect . generous share OF the
extra fees. But one of them was noticed
the other day a. very disconsolate. Being
asked why, he said he had done all the
work of naturalization. then his boss had
taken half the fees and left the balance to
be divided between three. The other two
had seized on theirs, and he, having given
his to candidate to pay his party tax, was
broke He could't treat, and was too mel
ancA6ly to smile. He waited for better
things after election.


At jury trial lately the foreman put
himself on record with q clean character,
as to that case at least. With the best PEN
manship he could command he put his
name under that Of the accused on the
back of the information for larceny, so that
it appeared that both were on trial, and in
his official capacity indorsed the finding OF
mot guilty" on the reverse fold.


The clerks of courts are moro than usual
" lazy, partly because lawyers file no new
suite, partly because they have got all their
work up to date, but mostly because,
election coming on, they either want to fix
themselves for another four years and are
looking for the man, or else they don't care
Q duces tecum for tho result, or wish q
mandamus would make any but the winner
Q custodian Of the Office.


The only court in perfect order 10 that to
which al judges, iniudicislly, of course,
clerks, suitors, attorneys and witnesses re.
Sort 1t is reached through "Hole in the
WALL" Once 1t was called tha Ninth Court,
but whom the Seventh and Eighth vanished,
it Was too proud to 60 back to lesser mum.
Der. But it will cater to the intelligence Of
the new courts, and after election day will
put hot soup, fish, beef, beans and other
Intellectual caloric into the brains of its
rivals to ths extent of their powers Of abb
sorpu0n.
Year: 1876

suspecting couple for awhile, the rain
subsidized, and he left the house but.
instead of continuing his tramp, he
seized Il heavy club from Il woodpilc
near the door, went back into the house.
and assaulted the old man. striking him
on the head. In his attempt to ward
off the blow, Mr.. Hazard was consider
ably hurt in the arm, but succeeded in
getting away from his aSsaiant. and
running out of the house. hurried foI
help toward the house of his nearest
neighbor, George TillotSon. After he
had gone, his aged but plucky wife at
tempted to punish the villain for his
attack on hel husband. by taking club
and giving him Il severe blow on the
back of the head, whereat Wood pick
ed mp an axe and hit the old woman
thee times in the face and head with
its edge. intiicting wounds from which
she died in two hours. Hazard and
TillotSOn arrived in il very few mo-
ments, and finding Wood still in the
house. secured him. though not until
he had used his club again with good
effect.


Jeptha Hazard and wife were known


in Otis and vicinity as worthy old
couple of most peaccable habits, and
Wood does not intimate that they were
in the least unkInd to him. OF that there
waS any sign of Il quarrel between him
and them.
Year: 1876

"WAIT FOR THE GRAVEL TRAM
a vote WAS taken on an Erie railway
train, last week. and Hayes and Wheeler
stood three to one. When the train
stopped at Il station one of the passen-
gers, seeing an Irishman at work on the
track, called to him: Say, Pat. we
have Just taken Il vote on the train and
we stand three to one in favor of Hayes
and Wheeler; what do YOU think of
that >" Pat took his pipe from his
mouth just long enough to say go
HI wild your fashionable ears; Just
wait till the gravel train comes along"
Year: 1876




Sunday is Gods special present to the
nottingham, and one of its chief objects is
to prolong his life, and preserve efficient his
working tone. In the vital system il works
like compensation pond it repleuishes the
spirit, the elasticity and vigor, which the
last six days have drained away, and sup
plies the force which is to fll the six dals
succeeding and in the economy of exist
ence it answers the same purpose as the
economy of income is answered by savings
bank. That frugal man who puts away a
pound to-day, and another pound next month
and who, in quiet way, is putting by his
stated pound from time to time, when he
grows old and frail gets not only the same
pound back again, but good many pounds
besides. And the conscientious man, who
husbands one day of his existence in week
who instead OF allowing Sunday to be
trampled and torn in the hurry and scram-
BILE Of life, treasures it up-the Lord of sun
day keeps it for him, and in length Of days
and hale Of age gives it back with usury.
The savings bank of human existence is the
weekly Sunday.-Norh British Rerie,c.
Year: 1876

al ALWAYS did love to gaze on the chill
dren in their sports, said Potter, as he pen
sively contemplated crowd Of urchins |
am carried back TO -" just then the
baseball came over his way aud tried to get
into his vest pocket and doubled him up.
When his breath came back he shouted,
4" You young ragamuiiin, you, If catch you
playing ball on the street again I'll get the
police after YOU"
Year: 1876

DECLARATION OF WAR.-As soon as
the Cincinnati convention was held,
Bristow went out of the Cabinet and
Grant threw aside all further reserve.
The Pratt, Bluford Wilson, Jewell
and other peremptory dismissals I'M
mediately followed Belknap was let
off without even vote of censure
from the Senate; Printer Clapp's name
was sent in; Mullett was brought out
again at the instance of " Boss
Shepherd Joyce, Avery, and the
wriskey thieves received notice Of the
executive favor which was ready for
them, and Grant lectured and detied
a democratic House for its legislation
with special messages. But Congress
had been adjourned little more than
twenty four hours when the order is
given By the President through the
war depaTtment-an order more Gar-
ing, defiant, and reckless than any
tha. ever came from the executive
for ;he General Of the army 10 hold
all the troops that are " not engaged
in subduing the sayages on the Wes-
tern frontier in readiness to be used
upon the call or requisition of the
proper legal authorities" for terroriz-
ing the Southern people and COMPEL
ing a vote FOR the party in power.
Only a few days ago be sent in
message TO Congress calling for more
troops for the Indian war now he
assumes, what he knew perfectly well
before, that no more troops ere needed
for The Indians, but there are enough
to fight them and to put down the
Southern people besides. That special
message and this order TO Gen. Sher-
man are to be taken together. The
one is false pretence, the other is an
open menace.