smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873

t-g Extract from n Knoxville
news man's letter to his mother in
Kentucky:


#* = Mother, I think it probable,
that you remember the winte:. Of
1880, what a d'alling off there was
among your fat hens, how they came
up missing at meal time and you
wondered to us children what was
going with them; well, mother, dear,
being as how | am out Of reach, [
will explain the mystery.


You know Josh and were great
fellows on wild varments about that
time. We lived in new log house in
a wild part Of Kentucky, and to IA
cilitate the catching of these var
.mente, we set large dead fall in
that sink in the edge of the wood
above the house. .rp


We went to look at our trap early
in the morning once day, and l am
sorry to say generally found one of
your fat hens mashed as fiat as a
pan cake, and consequently. very
dead Josh and persevered-(you
taught us perseverance,, in trying
to catch yarments until your hens
came up so scattering that we feared
that you would begin to look around
and discover our dead fall, SO we
coacludod to suspend operations for
the winter. and 60 into quarters. |
remember also that. we trapped some
very fine Thomas cats, that winter.


l suppose you remember
the time old Tige numbered rapidly
down the avenue and in endeayoring
to Jump the fence, stile blocks and
all, what a wonderful failure he
made, and fell fainting and exhaust
od on the other side, and how Josh
allowed that it had knocked the wind
out of him. Well, | can explain
that undertaking on the part of old
Tigo !. Josh and / had tied dried
bladder with beans In it to old Tige's
tail, and he was exerting himself to
get from before it. There, !
Sec you reaching for the hearth
broom, and am obliged to these
Cumberland mountains that inter
vention in my behalf.
Year: 1873

HoRsE DIsEAsE.-A gentleman
who returned to the city yesterday
from trip in upper East Tennessee
and whose statements can he relied
upon as trustworthy. informed us
that there is considerable serious
sickness among the horses in that
section. Some believe it return
of the disease which prevailed last
year TO such IN alarming extent,
while others think it violent form
of distemper, The latter opinion is
generally credited. though the sick
ness is attended symptoms other
Than those OF usual distemper. A
feeling of .uneasiness prevails. lest
the disease may assume fatal fea.
lures. Knonrtile. Press and Herald.
Year: 1873

Suicides as the result of financial
troubles are multiplying, which shows
how near many men are to the verge
of insanity erdesperatien ut all times,
and how little pressure is required
to topple them over iato ruin. Men
should be made Of stronger staff.
Year: 1873

HE experiences OF the Tag OF the Dan
| bury NeaoS were no doubt realized by q
number of people in this vicinity within
the past As hours. He describes bis pere-
ginations along the slick by-ways of Dan
bury thus:


"Right in front Of me, on the slippery
sidewalk, strobe two independent Knights
| of st. Crispin. They were talking. over
tbeir plans for the future, and as | overlook
them l heard one OF them say: i have
only my two hands to depend upon, but
that is fortune enough. to any man who is
not afraid to work. intend to paddle my
own canoe; believe can make my way
through the wctld;' bis feet slid out from
under him, and he came down in the shape
Of big V. / told him he could never
make his way through the world in that di-
rection unless he came down harder, and
that if he did he would go through among
the 'heatben Chinee,' and he was really
grateful for the interest manifested. He
invited me to plac6where ice never forms
on the sidewalks.


"Maria Ann went to the front door, last
evening, 10 see if the afternoon paper had
come. She had been delivering short ad-
dress TO me concerning what she is pleased
TO term my cold lnolasses styls' of moving
around. As she opened the door she re-
marked, Il like to see a body move quickly,
promptly, enp5atic'-that was all; but l
heard some one humping down the steps in
a most prompt and emphatic manner, and l
reached tb,s door just in time to see my bet
ter-half sliding across the sidewalk in
sitting posture. suggested, as she limped
back to the door, that there might be such
a thing ass too much eeierity; but she did
not seem inclined to carry on the con7ersa-
ton, and started for my Office.


"rhen slid along behind loving couple
on their way to hear Madame Anna Bish-
op. Their hands were frozen togethePs
their hearts beat as one. Said he: "My
own, shall think nothing of hard work il
l can make you happy. It shall be my
only aim to surround you with comfort,
my sympathy shall tighten every sorrow,
and through the path of life will be your
stay and support; your-he stopped. His
speech was too howery for this climate,
and as passed them she was trying to lift
him up.


"Two lawyers coming from the court
house next attracted my attention. 'Ah,'
said one, Judge Foster would rule that
out. We must concede the first two points.
We can affordtO do it if the evidence .sus
tains US in the third; bat on this position
we must take our firm stand'-his time was
up. LEFT him moving for new trial.


81 unused. What lesson the ice teaches
Us. How easily is man controlled by cir
cumstsnces and the attraction Of grayita-
ton. What sermon might be based--I
got up and took the middle of the street TO
prevent further accidents"
Year: 1873

The Springfield Republican says: One
OF our subur0s has a romance. The hero,
eighteen years ago, with the devotion of a
young lover, sought fame and. fortune in
the mighty West. But while he toiled, his
inamorata married his brother, but, filed
with remorse, commended to our hero her
little sister, then nine or ten years old.
The little girl sent the pilgrim. her picture;
he saw it and was glad. A correspondence
ensued, resulting in an engagement before
the parties had ever met. At length the
soul of the ardent Idahoan burned to
behold his bride. In the east wind he
heard her calling, and in steamy vapor be
sped thousand miles toward the sun
rising. OF their meeting and their greeting
we will say little. Suffice it that ere again
the voice of the turtle is heard in the land,
there will be another cottage among the
mountains OF Idaho, in which the person
OF our idyl shall sit at eventide and review
those years of waiting, which to both may
hap were as few days, because of love.
Year: 1873

FISHING is. not always a remunerative
business, neither does it always pig as q
reereative sport. a man went ont for a
days fishing last week, and when he
returned he had walked fifteen miles, lost a
gold watch, sprained his thumb,
spoiled a ten-doliar psir Of pants
By sitting down Cn his luncheon,
and caught one bad cold and two
toad-fish. On his srriyal his fayorite
cat attempted to get away with piece Of
clam that he hsd left on his hook, whereat
said cat caught the hook in her throat and
couldn't cough it up; and his son, in trying
to assist her, got another hook into bis toe,
aud tbs doctor had TO cub it out; and to top
all, his wife was disguised and snappy. He
says fishing may do all very well for man
who is bOrn lucky, but no more for. him.
Year: 1873

In almost every one Of the United States the
question as to the rate of interest on money in
vested or loaned is now under discussion In
m1ny, the Legislatures have been called upon TO
pass laws on the subject, and some have declared
that the rate sha be six per cent, unless special
agreement makes it eight per cent, or less others
have voted the whole enactment doWn by the
weight Of the county m SmbeFs. This detsfmina-
tion to keep those who borrow money in the
hands Of lenders at ten per cent.-Which rate thew
have perfect right TO get If money is worth ii
as tits often-is Of the most curious instances
Of want OF foresight and lack Of enterprise that
ers. It is dong incslcolAble damage 70 our own
State, and is driving away annually millions OF
Of clpital, and yet the prospect Of any amendment
does not ssem any nssEsT; and no leverage will be-
brought, as far aS at present known, upon the
nezt Legislators, except such has failed repeat
ediy before. baltimore Gazette.
Year: 1873

The recent Convention Of Democrats and Liber.
al Republicans Tor the State Of Michigan adopted


the following among the Eesolnsions OF. their plat
form


"Ihat every actor in and promoter OF the recent
tegisiation which, disregardihg the great burden
OF the national debt and the stringency Of money
now seriously affecting all classes Of business, with
out necessity or propriety doubled the salary of
the President and the pay OF members Of Congress
retroactively, and is in the future increased to
more than SEQ per diem for all the time of their
actual attendance on sessions, ought to be whelm-
ed IN such food of scorn and obloquy as 10 Sc
cure speedy change OF this law, ana to deter all
their successors from repeating the scandal and
lniamy of such enRctmemtS.p


This describes in appropriate language one OF
the most scandalous transactions in our history
There is one fact connected with the affair how
ever which has not yet been presented to the peo-
pie with sufficient force ana prominence. This
TACT Is that President GRANT personally exerted
his influence with members of Congress to secure
the passage of the bull He lobbied for the IN
crease of his own salary. He had agreed to serve
Us President for $4,000 a year, but forgetting
that he was bound IN honor by such agreement,
he went TO members of Congress and besought
their aid TO accomplish this unprecedented act Of
pinnder. Ii the members OF Congress who voted
tor the bull merit the public concentration, Pres-
dent GRANT merits it much more than they.
Year: 1873

The murder in Broome-st. on Sunday night
was one of a kind too common to excite
general attention and sympathy. Francis
Gillen, aged 23 steam-ftter and rowdy by
trade. murdered his wife, miliiner, aged 1S,
on the sidewalk as she was going home to
her fathers house. The man was in blind
fury of passion, for he stabbed the poor
young woman six times, intlicting no
less than four mortal wounds. He had
no cause of quarrel with her, except
that he had treated her so badly she
could not live with him, and so she was earn
ing her own livelihood under her fathers pro-
lection. The case affords no material for
public excitement or comment. 1t will not be
discussed at tea-tabes, nor in the col
umns of newspapers. 1t is all common
place and unheroic. The parties are all
mechanics the poor victim will be
missed from her shop until her place is filled,
the murderer will be missed from no place
we can decently mention, and the heart
broken father will drive his cart as usual to
gain his daily bread, as he belongs to class
that cannot afford the luxury of senti-
mental sorrow. 1t is an item of police news
of no general interest.


Yet this case contains within itself the whole
question of domestic authority. A pretty and
willful young girl, only 10, with blue eyes
and blond hair, two years ago attracted the
attention of a prohigate young fellow, who
found her pleasant relief from the worse
women he generally associated with, and won
her fancy. This is an easy thing for disso-
Lutte youth to do. These flashy, idle,
rowdyish boys, whose vices give them
leisure, are creatures of romance to certain
class of working girls. If they know how
worthless the boy is it makesno difference. An
innocent woman never admits, even to herself
the existence of the worst forms of wickedness
"a little wild" is the vagae formula that
covers the most groveling infamies, and the
prospect of reforming the fascinating truant
from the paths of virtue presents an irresisti-
bic allurement. Parental opposition adds
only fuel to the flame No girl IN
love, Or in what she calls by
that name, is capable of thinking that her
father can tell her anything worth knowing
about the object of her fancy. The father OF
this unfortunate woman found out this as soon
Year: 1873

as he warned her against her dissolute ad
mirer After infinite trouble and wranglp0
he had her consigned to the House of tbo
Good Shepherd, whence she was released. and
Immediately made a clandestino marriage with
Gillen. Her honeymoon turned quickly 70
gall. She found she was but one among hi,
many indulgences. And her position was worsa
than that OF his most deprayed companions
Tor she belonged TO him by law, and was The
helpless victim Of his cruelties. After few
weeks Of this frightful punishment, she left
him and went home to her father again, and
by his help obtained respectable means Of
earning her living.


But this brutal ruliian, though he recognized
no obligations resting upon himself from tho
marriage tie, considered himself grossl,
wronged that his wife should renOunce be,
allegiance to him. He looked upon her "a a
runaway slave, and meeting her the Other
night upon the street he ordered her 10 On
home with him, and when she refused he
stabbed her to death in the open thorouglfare
He had probably no more sense of response
bility in this than an angry teamster who
beats his horse. He considered himself thor.
oughly in his right, and when he Was a.
rested and the policeman asked him why be
committed the crime, he said, "YOu wouM
"have done the same if your wife refused 10
Give with you" He evidently saw no Other
course open to a man of spirit. He nigh.
abuse, outrage, and trample upon her he
might make no secret of the vices with
which he daily dishonored the marriage cove.
H. s.IA Ill l.,
hers in his own debaucheries, and yet the
idea never seemed to occur to him that she
had any right to escape from this torture
May not a man do what he will with his
own9 was the only shape in which any ques-
ton Of duty presented itself to him.
This idea of marital right is not confined to
men like Gillen alone. The policeman who
saw HIM just before the murder is said to
have acknowledged that he feared some
trouble, but did not like to interfere between
man and wife. This man, Gillen, it is re-
ported, has long been known to the police as
q vicious and dangerous character. Yet the
law, which muzzles harmless dogs under
the superstition that they may 90
mad, does nothing TO prevent this
wild beast from stealing young
girl from her father, marrying, maltreating.
and killing her-nOt all at once, but diffusing
the crime over two years. We need not draw
a moral which would be as commonplace az
the murder, and would touch upon two com.
mOnpace and evident faults of the time-the
claim Of children that their parents have no
right to interfere with their bestowal of their
affections, and the claim Of husbands that
their wives are their property.
Year: 1873

The first effect of THE TRIBUNE's exposures
of the designs of the Ring of Brooklyn to in
crease taxation from So SO hundred to S. 25
were visible at the meeting which we reported
yesterday. The Board of Estimate took pains
to announce that the rate of taxation would
not be increased. These are fair promises !;
perhaps they will be kept to the ear and
broken TO the hope.


Those citizens of Brooklyn who have been
aroused by oppression, in the manner of taxes,
to jealous scrutiny Of their rulers, will do well
To watch those who are TO make the assess
ments. The Board of Estimate will bs forced
Year: 1873

TIE LEGISLAIUhE dNO IHio CiAi'


Our Albany correspondent in another part
of this paper gives a careful summary OF 80
much legislation, particularly relating to New
York City. as had become law by receiving
the signature of the Governor mp to Tuesday
night 1t will be seen that the city IS still
most decidedly governed by the Legislature
Local self-gOvernment remains almost myth,
so far as this metropolis is concerned. The
Legislature has given us an entire new char
ter to begin with Besides that, il has passed
special acts regulating the police force and in
creasing the pay of firemen; reorganizng the
police courts and the public school depart
ment providing for the construction OF new
armories and new city prison, and for the
completion of county buildings; establishing
n commission of charitable correction, and
making important financial arrangements. by
the common will and consent of the Legisla-
ture, the officers of the City and County Gov
ernment, and the taxpayers, the noble debt
of the municipality continues vigorously to
increase. On the whole, it must be confessed,
we have escaped from this last Legislature
with fewer injuries than we anticipated,
thanks to the independence of few high
minded men in the State Senate. The City
Government, taking it altogether, is now more
honestly administered than it has been Tor
quarter Of century. For the fact that 1t Is
so we have to thank the voters Of the city
The force of public opinion prevented the
Legislature from tbwarting the will OF the
people, and has defeated the professional
highwaymen called politicians in many con
tests both at Albany and Mt home. While we
are not such UtOpians as to hope for unmlxed
good we yet feel some confidence that the
people Of this city can be trusted to elect
good men for places of responsibility We In
sist that the Legislature shall let them carry
out the experiment.


The last two Legislatures have done all
that Legislatures can do to give the city RAPID
transit 1t remains to be seen whether capi-
talists have sufficient confidence that there is
a real necessity for quicker and more com
Portable means Of getting about than those
now afforded. This will probably be deter
mined in year or two. If by that time
there shall be no prospect Of practical solu-
ton of the rapid transit question, let the City
do the work.


The number of laws enacted relating to
charitable and religious societies shows that
the will to do good work is still strong and
active, as it ever has been in New-York. We
may mention as instances of this principle
that three new hospitals have been incor-
porated this year, Young Ladies' Christian
Association instituted, and an organization
perfected for building a grand cathedral for
the Protestant Episcopal Church. At every
session charitable corporations are forced to
apply for amendments to their charters to
permit them to hold property exceeding in
value the original limitation. Whatever the
character of the Legislature, there is always
some pleasure to be found in reviewing this
mart of its work
Year: 1873

by public opinion not to Increase the rate OF
taxation; but the swindle will come IN when
the assessments on property are increased.
This is an old time prevarication OF the Rlng
leaders, but it will not serve them on TING
occasion. Brooklyn property is not increasing;
any owner of it will tell the Ring so. There
fore the assessments should not be increased
and every taxpayer will tell the Ring so.
Year: 1873

On the second page of THE TRIBUNE we
print an important report of Count Pourtales
20 the United States Coast Survey, respecting
the reported diminishing of the Oyster-beds Of
this region. The report to which we call at
tention justiies the apprehension that the
supply of oysters is steadily decreasing, and
may eventually cease altogether.
Year: 1873

Mr.. Conway, in his last London letter to The Cm
cinnGi Commercial, mentions supposed advertise
ment from the Want Column Of The London Times
The Want" ii question was of An American who
could make a speech in England without saying
any thing about Americans being of the same race
that produced Shakespeare Mr.. Conway goes Oh
to say that Mr. Motley, one might have supposed
would have been able TO render such. a prospective
demand unnecessary yet at the dinner of the Roy&
Literary Fund he fell into the old Shakespeare
rutp If this be anybodys fault, it is shakespeares
and not Mr.. Motley's. We are bound TO England by
the links of its old literature. This is American ai
well as British English history is our history up to
the beginning of the seventeenth century. Ii Is
growing hackneyed to say that we speak and write
the English language; but how, pray can we help
ourselvesi How are our men of culture TO ignore
the great, original sources of their cultivation
Year: 1873

The decision of the Court in the case of
Miss Susan B. Anthony, accused of illegal
voting, is substantially identical with that of
the United States Supreme Court in what is
known as the Myra Bradwell ease. Judge
Hunt holds that the right of voting arises
under the Constitution of a State, not of the
United States; that if the right belongs to
any person, it is because he is entitled to it
as a citizen Of the State where he offers to
exercise it, and not because of citizenship of
the United States. The Fifteenth Amendment
provides that no State shall deny the right of
suffrage on account of Grace, color, or previous
Condition of servitude." The question of SEX


therefore, is not touched by this addition to
the fundamental law. Further, the presump-
ton of the defendant that she had a right to
vote is not admitted in bar of conviction of
the offense alleged. The Judge charged that
ignorance of the law excuses no one; and that
every person is presumed to understand the
effect of his own acts. There was no ignorance
of the law in this case, but an undertaking to
settle principle. These are the main points
involved in the charge to the jury; their YER
dict of "guilty" was, therefore, in strict
accordance with the instructions of the Court.
Year: 1873

That something must be done to facilitate
the transportation of freight between the
West and the Atlantic seaboard is universally
admitted. OF the various projects which have


been suggested, one of the boldest is that
which is designed to commit the Federal
Government TO the building and control of a
freight railroad. Such plan was introduced
and discussed, yesterday, at a meeting of the
business men of this city who are Immediately
interested in solving the problem of rapid and
cheap transportation by rail. The insuperable
difficulty in the way of securing quick time
for freight trains, as the roads are now or
ganized, is the fact that these must wait for
the frequent transit of passenger trains. 1t
has been proposed to add double tracks for
the exclusive use Of freight. Having the fear
of consolidated mOnOpolies before their eyes,
some of the heavy customers of the railroads
favor a Government ownership of such chan
nes of transportation. The need is. crying
one; but government railroad would be a
dangerous experiment, as well as an anoma-
lOus undertaking.
Year: 1873

The WILMINGTON AND WESTERN RAIL
ROAD The bondholders and other interested
in the Wilmington and Western Rail Road,
met at the Clayton House on Monday afternoon
last, to take into consideration the state Of the
road.-We are informed that Mr.. LObdell re-


ported that he never knew a new road TO in
crease its business 50 rapidly. That in two
years il would not bnIy pay its running expen-
ees which is rare thing for new road, hut
the interest on its bonds and a profit. The
interest ON the bonds was due yesterday. We
have not heard Is TO whether any provision
was made Tor ills payment. Ii is very probable
the financial crash will prevent this Bat in
the end there is little doubt that the Interest
will be punctually paid il not at this time


We are informed that the business Of this
road has increased so rapidly lately, that the
wonder il where all il comes FROM. Also tha'
arrangements, have betn made TO carry pOr


tiOn OF freight for the Pennsylvania Rail Road
Company. The rolling stock is now taxed Il
do the business, and more cars and Locomotives
will soon have 10 be provided. As this road
brings great deal oftrade 10 Wilmington, VI
all feel an interest in its success.
Year: 1873

No CAsKs.-P Polics business is dulIer than ever
and this morning not even an Ordinary case oi
drunkenness appeared upon the records. The
times are 60 hard and duh, that people wont even
get drunk to vary the monotony of existence.