smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1871

The story of abduction which we print to-
day is in the highest degree improbable and
revolving. But we are assured of its entire
truth by persons of the best character and re-
spectability. Ii cannot be rejected except
by rejecting evidence which would be con-
elusive in any court of justice. 1t throws
lurid light upon phase of crime
TO which we have before referred with that
reserve which the horrible nature of the sub
ject requires. The gilded dens of infamy to
which this report refers do unquestiOnably
exist in some of our most fashionable thor
oughfares. Most of their operations are, it is
true, based upon the prospect Of succeeding in
the corruption of their victims through their
avarice and their vanity. But it is too well
established to be doubted that, these
means falling the vile hags who
pursue tins terrible trade do not scruple to
resort 10 bold and cruel violence. Some
Year: 1871

Another of the painful pictures of New-York
criminal life, which we have felt called upon
to present for the warning of the public and
the information of the police, will be found
ON our second page this morning. The dens
which are there described are of the most low
and Infamous character, and their occupants
well l-knovn criminals. The gambling dens and
panel-houses which we described, it will be
remembered, were located within few blocks
Of the headquarters of the police. The lodg-
ine-houscs of which we now give an account,
il will be observed, are in the shadow of the
principal City Court and Prison.
Year: 1871

The Presidents proclamation, which we pub
lish this morning, is at once an appeal and a
warning. The appeal is addressed to the peo-
pie of the South, and calls upon them to sup
press, through their own local laws and by
their own voluntary efforts, the organizations
which violate the rights of citizens and the
laws of the country. The warning is addressed
to the Ku-Klux, and intimates that, while re-
luctant to exercise the extraordinary powers
vested in him by the new law, the Executive
will not hesitate to do so when other means
fail. And it is plainly intimated that this
alternative will be promptly taken whenever
it is apparent that local laws and efforts are
inadequate to restore quiet and security. The
language of the proclamation is unusually
earnest and positive for documents of this
formal character; it ought to have an imme-
diate good effect in the South, and will, if
those engaged in the hazardous and criminal
enterprise of restoring the South to Democratic
rule by the murder and banishment of Repub-
licans are not absolutely mad.
Year: 1871

We invite the attention of families in want of a


nurse-maid to a woman named Agnes Norman, who


seems to have had extensive but peculiar experience


in that capacity in various parts of London 1t ap-
peared recently at n cOroner's inquest that about
a wear ago the child of lady visiting in the house
where Agnes was employed was found dead in bed,
under mysterious circumstances. In her next place
Agnes one day brought child home insensible say
ing that il had fallen from her arms. The infant
recovered, and within three weeks she took it out
again and brought it back dead In her third situa-
tion, boy of seven awoke with a choking sensa-
tion and afterward told his father that Agnes had
placed her hand over his mouth and given him
money to say nothing about it. At another house
where she was employed child was found insen-
sbe in bed, and on recovering showed great terror
at the sight of the girl At another. she locked a
child mp in wardrobe, took it out and put it to bed


where it was found dead shortly afterward. Birds
aud domestic animals died as suddenly and strangely
as children in houses where she lived. Finally she
was employedby the family of Mr. Beer, who three
days afterward returning with his wife from din
ner party heard violent in the nursery, qnd
rushed up stairs to find one child lying on the
floor and another between the bed and the
wall dead. with two compressed marks on its
lips The verdict of the coroners jury was Death
from suiocatiOn, accidentally caused" with which,
as we read in the London papers, the father said
he was dissatisfied" The case is to be further i'll
vestigated. mania for murder is a recognized
though happily not a common form Of mental dis
ease. The case of female in Of the con-
tnental hospitals, who confessed that she had been
in the habit of killing her patients with other
motive than an insane eageness to see them die, is
fresh in our recollection We are not prepared to
say that women more frequently give way to such
horrible impulses than men; but we recall at this
moment several instances given by the books, in
each Of which it was woman who felt the insane
DESIRE and generally child that she wanted to kill
Year: 1871

Another Church in Philadelphia has plunged
headlong into litigation to settle the rights of
its Rector and assistant. The worst of such
scandals is that, no matter how the suits end,
the Churches are brought into contempt, and
an injury is done to the cause of religion.
Year: 1871

instances Of prompt and rigorous punishment
are imperatively demanded to strike terror to
the souls of these fendish creatures who
prowl about our streets on their errands of
infamy
Year: 1871

At Staten Island wedding there are to be ten bridesmaids but no grooms- man.

 A novelty in wall decorations is leath- CT paper, which has the effect of fresco and is very beautiful.

 Very few ladies at Saratoga seem to be willing or courageous enough to appear in the same toilette twice.

 All the ladies in Paris now dress in deep mourning, and the gaiety is con- fined entirely to the foreign visitors.

 The Chinese crepe dresses have found unusual favor this season at the sea shore as they do not shrink or wrinkle with the dampness. .....

 A man is in no danger as long as he talks love, but when he writes it, he is impaling himself on his own pot-hooks most efectually.

 Oversklrts are now worn so very long that the underskirts are usually made ot an inferior quality of silk, with founces the same as the overskirt. A lady at Long Branch appeared at one of the chops" in dress of yellow satin trimmed with founces of black lace, on which were fastened iue Brazil ian bugs.

 A cynical man says the reason women are so fond of writing letters is that they rejoice in the opportunity of saying all they wish without the possibility of an interruption.

 Bronze boots have entirely gone out of fashion, as the least dampness turns them light purple color, and the polish used to renovate them stains all goods with an ineffaceable stain.
Year: 1871

An oysterman can tell the ages of his flock to 8 nicety. They arein perfection when from five to seven years old. The age of an oyster is not to be found out by looking into it's mouth; it bears its years upon its back. Everybody who has handled an oyster shell must have observed that it seemed as if it was composed of successive layers or plates overlapping each other. These are technically termed shoots," and each of them mark years growth, so that by counting them we can determine at a glance the year when the creature came into the world. Up to the epoch of its maturity the shoots are regular and successive, but after that time they be- come irregular, and are piled one over the other, so that the shell becomes more and more thickened and bulky. Judging from the greatness to which some oystershells have attained, this mollusk is capable, if left to its natural changes and unmolested, of attaining patriarchal longevity.

 Among fossil oysters, specimens are found occasionally of enormous thick ness; and the amount of time that has passed between the dispositions of the bed and rock ln which such an example occurs, and that which overlies it, might be calculated from careful observation of the shape and number of the layers of calcareous matter composing an extinct oystershel. In some ancient formations stratum above stratum of extinguished oysters may be seen, each bed consisting of full grown and aged individuals. Happy broods these pre-Adamite con- gregations must have been, born in an epoch when eplcures were as yet un- thought of, and when there were no workers in iron to fabricate oyster knives. Geology and all its wonders make known to us scarcely one more mysterious or inexplicable than the crea- ton of oyster long before oyster eaters and the formation of oyster-banks before dredgers. What a lamentable heap of good nourishment must have been wasted during the primeval epochs.
Year: 1871

Is there really anything more glorious than day in the woods, whether it be in solitary musings or in the skillfully planned picnic? Most of us have our recollections of glorious picnics in the woods. Old fogies will tell us that it is better to go and have look at the woods and then come home to a satisfactory dinner round the mahogany. But that IS not our opinion, my young friends, is 1t? We know what it is to get into some sequestered glade, some clearing of Ma lures own in the forest, and then, be- yond any pathway or reach of outer sound, to hold high revel, spreading our white cloth on the messy carpet and cooling the long-necked bottles in the stream. We know what it is to pitch an actual tent in the wilderness, and to gather faggots for our woodland fire, and to raise the woodland shout that shall bring all comrades together before the homeward start. These woods are ever beautiful, whether in the delicate full flush of the green of spring, or in the high noon of settled summer, or in the magnificent variety of tints in the autumn; even in the "chill October of MT. Millias' picture j; and Longfellow seems to give distinct preference even to winter itself. Or perhaps you will especially enjoy woods in long solitary rambles. You cannot at the same time, except in an audience fit and few, have much both of nature and of society You seem to need special kind of train ing and education to enjoy the natural beauties of the woods. And there is something provocative, iu the stiffness and solitude, to quiet thought. You seem to have escaped into another world. You have left behind you shadows and mocking voices for the reality of peace. To me 8 wood is always 8 region of a kind of happy enchantment.. I finger there till the latest moment I can spare myself, even when I Ihave had to go on to my next resting place in utter gloom, so intense that could not see my hand before me, but satisfied that am in a well-wor1i path. and feeling my way with a stick. Perhaps you are startled sud denly rousing the whirring pheasant, or you may feel uncomfortable at the thought of meeting some poachers. I know man who, in 8 lonely wood in the middle counties, came upon 8 cross bearing an inscription that some help less traveller had been murdered there. Perhaps he quickened his step until he came out of those dubious paths. But there is witchery about the woods; nor can I look back upon any days that have so thoroughly holidaycharacter as those which have spent solitary or social in the woods.
Year: 1871

A novel plan for the propulsion of ca nal boats by steam was presented to the State Commission by the Hon. Chas. Howard, of New York, one of the oldest shipping merchants in the State. He exhibited miniature canal filled with water, with two curves, or one reverse curve. The canal has chain on each side, one for ascending boats and the other for descending boats. These chains are kept in their place around the points of the curves of the canal by spars, one end of which is shackled to the shore, the other end to the chain. These spars prevent the chain from being drawn ashore on the point of the canal by the boatsthat are towing on it. On the con- cave side of the curve is short chain attached to the shore at one end and to chain drawing from the concave side of the curve. The spars above described have also a short brace chain that leads from the outer end of the spar, diagonal ly to the shore in such 8 manner as to take all the strain off from the main chain beyond that point, which divides the tension as often as necessary, so that light and convenient main chain can be safely used, and if any accident occurs to any one section, it can be repaired, while the balance of the chain each side is intact. He also ex- hibited several miniature canal-boats, made on the same scale of the canal, with small wheel on the side oi the boat near the bottom, secured to shaft that extends through the side of the boat. The wheel has groove in it's periphery, with projectiles for the link to drop into. The main chain is laid into the groove, and when the engine turned the wheel, it drove the boat along with great speed with two or three other boats in tow, and turned the curves of the canal, passing the spars and guy chains with perfect freedom and ease. The chains are continuous the whole length of the level, but do not extend through the locks. The plan contem- plates the plan of having only one boat in five fitted with an engine, and this eng1ne boat to take about 16O tons cargo, and the other four 210 tons each, and tow them from Buffalo to the Hudson, and then ship pair of Indian paddles, which are rigged very simple, on each side of the boat, and continue the voy- age to New York and back with her fleet of barges or common boats. The paddles were shipped in two minutes of time, and made very rapid speed through the miniature canal.
Year: 1871

KILLED HIS MoTHER.-A young man of nineteen shot his mother, in Brooklyn, in an attempt, as it appears, to defend himself from an assault by third party. The history of the case shows how recklessly personal violence is re- sorted to in these days. The young man was accused by his assailant of sIan- dering him, and threatened with fog ging. Thus threatened, he applied to a friend for advice and aid. The first was given in the shape of an admonition to shoot his assailant if he were struck, and the second in the shape of loaded revolver. The offended man came, with 8 companion, to the home of his alleged slanderer, and endeavored to beat him. The mother attempted to separate them, and the son fired, killing his mother.
Year: 1871

The grass of the field shall be now my theme,


For when winter is past. and the snow
Has melted away from the earth like a dream.


No flowers that in Ioveliness grow
More dear, or more beautiful ever can be
Than the simple grass of the field to
1t springs up so quick. when showers call aloud


For every thing glad to come forth
And when the sun bursts from his rainbow cloud


As the rain passes off to the north
1t shines in his glory, and laughs in his light,
The grass Of the field, glistening and bright.
Happy children love in the grass to play,


Thick and soft for their dancing feet
And there the wild bees gather honey all day


From the clover so blushIng and sweet,
And find stores that the garden can yield
Are richer than those from the grass of the field.
The lark makes his nest in the twining grass,


And methiuks when he to the skies,
And sings the clear notes that all others surpass


His gladness must sdrely arise
From the IoSly content of that innocent breast,
Which finds i'll the grass of the field safe nest.
There are few who notice the delicate flower


That blooms in the grass at their feet,
Yet the proudest plant in the greenhouse or bower
Is not fairer or more complete;
And to those who observe-it is clearly revealed
That G cd clothes with beauty the grass of the field
The mower comes out SO busy and blythe.


At the dawn of a summers day,
And the waving grass at the stroke of his scy the
Is cut down and Wrthers away;
But the fragrance it sends over valley and hill
Makes the grass of the field loved and lovely still
And while on the perishng grass We look,


A soft voice in the summer wind
Will whisper the words of the Holy Book


To the humble and thoughtful mind
"Ali flesh is grass it will seem TO say
Like the flower of the grass ye shall pass away"
But oh we will hope with a faith


Through the years of this mortal strife
On the words of the Lord, which forever endure
For in them is eternal life
Thus lessons of truth all pleasures will yield,
and wisdom well learn from the grass Of the field
Year: 1871

Christian may triumph in the death Of
Christ ''Oh death where is thy sting ?
Oh grave where is thy victory? Oh hell !
where is thy terror? Oh world where is
thy malice? Oh sin where is thy strength
Oh my soul where are thine accusers?
Year: 1871

TooTH WAsH-The mouth has temper
ature of ninety eight degrees, warmer than
is ever experienced in the shade in the lati
tude of New England 1t is well known
that if beef, for example. be exposed in the
shade during the warmest of our summer
days it will very soon begin to decompose.
If we eat beef for dinner, the particles in
variably fiud their way into the spaces be-
tween the teeth Now II these particles Of
beef are not removed, they viii frequently
remain till they are softened by decOmposi-
ton In most mouths this process Of de
composition is in constant progress. Ought
we to be surprised that the gums and teeth
against which these decomposing or putry-
flying masses lie should become subjects of
disease? Much has been said pro and con
upon the use of soap with the tooth brush.
My own experience and the experience of
members of my family is highly favorable
to the regular morning and evening use Of
soap.


Casti., or other good soap viii answer this
purpose. (Whateyer is good for the hands
and face is good for the teeth.) The slight
unpleasant taste which soap has when we
begin to use it will be unnoticeG. You have
observed upon the teeth a yellow deposit,
sometimes black substance near the gums.
IF you examine either of them with strong
miscroscope, you will find it all alive with
animalculae. These small animals live, keep
bousa and raise families of children, and
die in your mouths. Nothing that can be
safely introduced into the mouth checks
,bor, Elyo Soap
Year: 1871

This medicine increases the power of digestion
and excites the absorbents into healthy exercise
by which the watery or calcareous depositions
and all unnatural enlargements. as well as pain
and inf ANIMATION reduced, and it is taken by
men women and children Directions for use and
diet accompany.
Year: 1871

The Journal of Commerce replies to
the question of a correspondent What
proportion Of those who succeed in ac-
quiring a competency in business pur-
suits ultimately retain it" The editor
says that of those who engage in busi-
ness on their own account only three
out of hundred escape failure, and
only five out of hundred succeed in
avoiding an entire collapse of their first
effort. OF those who at some time or
other have in hand a reasonable COM
petence, and may be said to have sue
ceeded in business, ninety per cent are
still the subjects of after reverse of some
sort, so that only ten per cent. of the
successful ones keep their fortune un-
shaken. No two things, the Journal
says, should be more strongly impressed
upon the young men of our country than
the insecurity of riches, even when ac-
quired, and their unSatisfying character


There is no fallacy so universally cher
ished as the notion that wealth is surely
means of happiness. The care of q
large property is one of the most bur-
densome of earthly trusts. The only
material good which comes of any estate,
the writer remarks, is to be made out Of
moderate income far mere easily than
from a large one, and with fewer atten-
dant disadvantages. The enjoyment in
the dispensation of bounty is sadly
marred by the judicious care required in
the selection of the recipients. The
man who is earning good living, with
something to spare annually for the
sweet uses of charity, is far less tried in
this respect -
Year: 1871

CONGRESSIONAL PERoUIslTEs. Phila-
delphia Inquirer declares it to be all vanity
and vexation of spirit for Senator Trumbull to
press his joint resolution prohibiting members
Of Congress from soliciting the appointment to
Office of their particular friends. Although
the Congressional tyranny in the matter OF
appointments is abominable, yet 1t is not
likely Mr.. Trumbull will have q corporals
guard in the House In favor Of his proposed
reform. When Congressman voluntarily sur
render their perquisites in this or any other
respect, at least in q great majority of cases,
you may expect the heavens to fall.
Year: 1871

For some weeks past the world has been
waiting to hear the thunders of war resounding
from the Bosphorus and the shores of the
Black Sea. Russia, already armed to the
teeth, was making gigantic preparations It
was not otherwise with England. There was
to be conference. Then again conference
was impossible. Austria was in belligerent
mood. Turkey was full of fight; and so on,
and SO on. All at once it bursts upon the
war-expecting world that there is not the
slightest chance of war. A prominent Russian
military officer now in this country on tour
of inspection has been interviewed by q
HERALD reporter, and General Gorloff laughs
at the popular idea of fresh war on the East
ern question. Between Russia and Turkey,
the General says, there is no difference. That
the Russian officer is right is proved by one of
our latest dispatches from London relative to
the Eastern question. A special announces
that turkey is willing to dispense with action
by the, Powers" In other words, the Sublime
Porte prefers to be allowed to deal with Russia
alone on this new Black Sea question. After
Paris has fallen it will not surprise us If o
conference meets in London or some other
centre, specially at the request of the Gear and
the Sultan, to ratify private arrangements, and
thus modify the Treaty of Paris. It is simply
absurd to expect war on the Eastern question
if the Sultan and the Gear are agreed. It
would seem as If another war bubble had
burst,
Year: 1871

A BILL TO REPEAL THE ERIE DIRECTORY
Aor was introduced in the Assembly yester-
day, and is apt to create some salutary ex-
citement before it is finally squelched. 1t is
quite likely that 1t will make good fight in
the Assembly, where there is Tammany
majority Of only one; but in the Senate the
majority is somewhat more decided. The bill
should at least be fully discussed, even if
there is no hope Of passing it, for such mag
niAcent outrage as the Erie bill is wonder
of impudence and cheek that our people
should miss no opportunity Of enjoying.
Year: 1871

Loss OF THE SAGINAw.-Our special cor
respondent at San Francisco sends US further
and very interesting details Of the loss Of the
Saginaw. Her leaving Midway for Ocean
Island on an errand Of mercy, her approach
to the reef going ashore and the exertions of
all hands to save everything possible from the
wreck are vividly described. Everything
is given that has been received from the scene
Of the disaster, and we must wait for further
particulars until the vessels sent to rescue the
unfortunates return to Honolnln