smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

The French governments plan of action in
relation to the proposed amnesty reminds
one forcibly of the dying Corsican who was
told he could not go to heaven unless he for
gave his enemies, and who thereupon called
his eldest son to his bedside and said:-.I
forgive them, but thou needst not forget
them" The government want to draw fine
lines between offences and offenders, but if
they wish to take full popular benefit for
clemency they might just as we'll come
plumply to the point of amnestying
the Communists remaining alive who
have been tried by French law. The
wholesale slaughter of men and women
on the entry of the Versailles troops into
Paris, and the wholesale and prolonged
executions at Satory, left the boon of mortal
breath to very few of the prominent Com
munists who fell into the hands of the na-
ton. Some, like Cluseret, escaped altogether,
and few, with Rochefort at their head.
escaped from New Caledonia. The former
has been industriously decrying his fellows
ever since and has possibly lost caste among
the fiery blue blouses but Rochefort, secure
in Switzerland or Belgium, has poured
out his venom against everything re-
spectacle in France, his attacks on
President MacMahon being particu-
larly scurrilous. 1t would, therefore,
appear that Rochefort is almost the only
man whose present activity makes him objec-
tionable to the government, and when we
consider that by having him within the
power of French law and stripping him of
the garb of political martyr the force of his
sting would be gone we cannot see why he
should not be allowed to return. There is.
of course, the very tangible ground Of his
personal offensiveness to the Chief of State,
but that should not weigh in a popular gov
eminent. The Cabinet is, however, acting
cautiously, and that itsseems willing to see
amnesty made almost complete without de-
string TO reap the popular applause which
full act of oblivion would bring must be re-
membered to its credit in this age of pos
turing in public afairs.
Year: 1876

If THE EMIGRATION COMMISSIONERS have
been declared by the recent United States
Supreme Court decisions to have no legal
right to collect the head money from steam
ship companies under State law the sooner
Congress takes mp the question the better;
for the country cannot think Of returning to
the practice of leaving emigrants to shift for
themselves and be at the mercy of the har-
pies known in old times rs emigrant runners
and baggage smashers, the class from which
some OF our model Tammany statesmen
have been drawn. 1t is possible the steam
ship lines would organize some form Of
protection, but it would surely prove in
adequate. because irresponsible.
Year: 1876

Mr.. West, the chairman of the Assembly
Railroad Committee, confesses to singular
curiosity in regard to the ways of the lobby.
According to his own account when he first
went to Albany he was accustomed to en-
courage lobbyists to come to him ''for no
other reason on earth than to see how it was
done" They used to come to my room at
the Delavan," he said, "before breakfast,
and I've had them offer me five hundred
dollars to 60 for a certain bill" The en-
coumgement of this sort of thing was queer
conduct for an honest man, and not the least
singular part of it is that nobody ever heard
of anybody being kicked down stairs at Mr..
Vests hotel. Nor did West, the incor-
ruptible, ever think it his duty TO expose
the men whom he confesses have tried to
corrupt him. We infer, however, that now
he is ready to unbosom himself, and that he is
counting an investigation that he may be able
to tell all lie has learned, in his own pc
culiar way, about the lobby. Let us have
committee of investigation by all means, for
it is plain that many interesting develop
ments will be made. West will contribute
an invaluable report of his lobby tests.
Killian has a number of points which he is
doubtless painting to explain more fully.
Many persons want to know which of his
personal friends deceived him in regard to
the time when the report on his bill was
made to the House. He can also give more
complete information in regard to his alb
sence on that occasion; for it is not little
singular that the standing committee Of the
Assembly, before which he says he was on
that occasion, should have held a meeting
while the House was in session. Many
points suggested by these worthy statesmen
need elucidation, and we hope everybody
concerned in these queer transactions, of
which West, Killian and the rest have told
us, may come out of an inquiry with their
blushing honors thick upon them.


TUNIs appears to be q hot place for con-
suls, irrespective of its high temperature.
The Italian Consul is the latest upon whom
murderous attempt has been made; but
as the would-be assassin was killed Moslem
fanaticism may require the visit of an Italian
iron-clad or two before it will be quite safe
for foreign officials to take their promenades
Signor Puliga attempted to pull against
Tunisian etiquette.
Year: 1876

RAPID TRANsIr.-The report of the Rapid
Transit Commissioners was up for final ar
gument yesterday before Chief Justice Davis
and Judges Brady and Daniels, holding the
Supreme Court, General Term, and the OBJ
jectors had their last opportunity to suggest
stumbling blocks to the accomplishment OF
the city's great need. The confirmation of the
report by the General Term will put tn,
scheme fairly on its legs and we hope to Sc,
it at an early day.
Year: 1876

Would it not be good thing for our re-
form democracy to take up the cases of Schu-
maker and King9 These statesmen demand
'vindication," and their claims will most
likely be forgotten unless the sluggish ma
jority are spurred to their duty.
Year: 1876

JEWELLERS BEWARE The robbery Of the
store of the jeweller, Kuntz, on Third
avenue, at 18th street, is the third
of its class in New York and
Brooklyn. One successful crime is GER
tain to produce a number of others, and
hence those having large quantity of valu-
able goods exposed that do not occupy much
space and are thus easily carried of should
prepare to give thieves warm reception.
The thieves plan is simple, only
requiring coolness and boldness, qualities
many of them possess. A jewelry
store is entered by two men who engage
the salesmans attention, and when in o
favorable position he is knocked insensible
or frightened by the display of pistol into
inaction while the store is ransacked. He is
bound and gagged, and the thieves decamp
with the property. A crime of this kind re-
quires to be met promptly and punished
sharply, as 'garroting' was in London, be-
fore the criminal class will turn to some less
alarming branch of their nefarious art. The
police should turn their attention to this, as
a timely arrest like that in the Grand street
case would do much to stop it.
Year: 1876

In the case of Mr. Barrett public attention
is very forcibly called to what must seem TO
every one a very defective state of the law.
Here is man who has spread ruin all about
him by the misuse Of funds and other prop
erty intrusted to his charge yet his offence
under the law, if it has any existence at all,
is only trivial; and the punishment that
could be inflicted, if he were in the hands
of justice, not only bears no adequate rela-
ton to the wrong he has done, but is not
equal to that meted out for the forgery of
check that would ruin no one. Dispropor-
tions like this are the monstrosities of the
law, and are the real source of that wide
spread opinion that all men are not equal
with regard to it, but that it contemplates
the high and the low, as to social station, with
very different eyes. Every one recognizes
that cases like this are very difficult to deal
with under the general principles of the
law that large discretion must be given
to trustees who have to invest money for
others that every allowance must be made
for what are really errors of judgment but
it does seem as if legislation could afford
some further security to estates in this
matter.
Year: 1876

THE DIsoBAcEFUL NEGLECT Of the authori-
ties in permitting the corpse of Mrs. Rose
Young to remain moored TO pier in the
East River for twenty-four hours after its
discovery is surely worthy Of more than
mere condemnation. There are few things
more pitiable on record than that of the hus-
band of the unfortunate woman watching
wearily through the long night over the re-
mains of his wife rs they rose and fell and
swayed with the tide. Can no one be pun
ished for this outrage on humanity?
Year: 1876

WE PRINT with pleasure the card from Mr..
w. Butler Duncan relative to the synopsis
OF the case of the foreclosure of the first
mortgage bonds, amounting to six mill
lion dollars, Of the Mobile and Ohio
Railroad, which was published in the
HERALD of yesterday. The case is pend
ing in the United States Circuit Court
of Alabama, and a trial Of the facts
may well put different face upon the
matter to that which would appear from
reading only one side of the story.
Year: 1876

like thief into Miss Eva Stanley's bed
chamber, who is young lady teacher
boarding here; and thinking it was your
humble servant and Johnny snug in bed,
you attempted to drown us out, and made
grand mistake. How do you like it,
Sam ?" g


al confess | see the point, but I can't
see the joke. II is most outrageous
shame"


AT this juncture Hannah came in, and
began rating them soundIy, thereby let
ting out the whole story. 1t was now
Sans turn to laugh.


Miss Eva was not visible the next morn
ing, and Hannah announced that she was
sick with severe cold. Hannah had her
unruly crew under her thumb for once in
her life, and had the satisfaction of seeing
them behave with some dignity. They
appeared never to- forget that there was
an invalid in the house, and went ON tip
toe about. Sam, who seemed to take the
entire responsibility on his own shoulders,
and sent off slyly to the city for choice
fruits and flowers, which he induced his
sister to convey to the young lady with
the most abject apologies aud regret.


In couple Of days Eva was able to
come down stairs. She was looking quite
pale, but lovely, and of course divinely,
when presented by Mrs. Carpenter to the
three brothers, who behaved quite well
considering the unpleasantness of their
situation.


But Sam, who had broken the ice by
means Of his presents, was most at ease,
and by virtue of his age and experience,
constituted himself the propitiator, and
was constantly on hand to offer Miss Eva
a thousand nameless attentions; and before
the week was out John declared that Sam
was "done for !"


"Gone under completely said George
with one of his dismal groans.


Hannah, singing Eva's praises commen-
ded Sans choice, and recommended mar
riage to all Of them as the only SOLDERING
process she was acquainted with. 1t was
a piece of advice, however, that they did
not appear inclined to follow, notwith-
standing Sans happy lot with the school
mistress of Hollythorn.


She often reminds her brothers-in.law
Of her unceremonious introduction to u
snow-drift at the dead of night, and they
retaliate with the shower-bath given her
BY Sam.
Year: 1876

Been in general use for twenty years. Everywhere
proved the most SAFE, SIMPLE, ECONOMICAL,
and EFFICIENT medicines known. They are just
what the people want saving time and money avert
ng sickness and suffering. Each single specific the
we'll tried prescription of an eminent physician.
Year: 1876

a leading New York City paper Is
urging upon the Commissioners OF
Charity that they proceed against tho
persons in that city who are holding
The money bet upon the election, q
law OF New York providing that
any person who loses a bet Of this
kind may recover the amount II suit
q lrught within thirty days; II, case
the loser fails to DO 10 the law fur
Year: 1876

Since the October election three
members Of the Indiana Legislature
have died, thus changing the politi-
cal complexion Of that body some
what. The Republicans are conf
dent Of having a working majority in
the House, and also majority on
joint ballot. Whether they will be
able 10 organize the Senate Is not
definitely known.
Year: 1876

This 10 the day upon which the
electoral colleges are to meet in the
several States and elect the next
President. Louisiana is the only
State about which there Is any doubt,
and fair canvass or the votes will
undoubtedly give its electoral vote to
Hayes. The suspense will soon he
an,leI
Year: 1876

ANOTHER INNOvATIoN.-Harvard Univer-
sity two or three years ago surprised the
religiously rigid by proposing to abolish
compulsory prayers, and leave students
free to join in the daily religious exercises
of the chapel or not as they chose. Now
it has gone step further and abolished
compulsory church going. Hereafter its
students will not be required to attend
church as part of the college rules. They
are to be treated like young gentlemen, and
left TO follow their own taste and judgment
and the wishes of their parents in the
matter. This departure from ancient usage
will doubtless be severely condemned In
some quarters, though others will regard il
as freedom, only to be governed by intelli
gence and honor.
Year: 1876

A correspondent Of the British Medical
S9arnat asserts that the leaves of the cuca
pant havs wonderful property. If taken
mnen SIn one is overcome with physical fatigue
All sense of WEAKNESS disappears, and labor
can be resumed without discomfort or
INJURY. No unpleasant effects have been
o.oserved from its use, and it is thought
mat q remarkable power Of endurance is
gained fromit.
Year: 1876

Prof. Gray, in an article in the American
Naturalist for May in reference TO our
knowledge in regard to the American wild
gooseberry, invites botanists throughout
the country To furnish information and
specimens by which the difficulties may be
cleared up. The species so far known TO
botanists are eleven in number.
Year: 1876

"A very common error prevails amonE
the business men of our towns and cit.
ties that the Grange movement is ini.
micable to trade; that it contemplates
an utter destruction of what is known
as 'middlemen."


Like all other false impressions, this
falacy is stimulated by persons whose
interest it is to create a feud between
the merchant and the farmer.


The National Grange, at the annual
meeting in st. Louis, stated in the ad-
dress which was published everywhere,
that the Oranges made war upon no
industry, but that they endeavored to
do away with the surplusage of what
is known as 'middlemen" by bringing
the producer and manufacturer into
the most intimate relationship one
buying and selling directly to the other
as far as that can be practically done
with advantage to each.


But there are thousands of cases in
which it is impossible for consumer and
producer to be brought in close prox-
unity to each other and in all these there
is necessity for merchants and mid
dlemen, or traders or carriers of some
class to facilitate the exchanges, and
no set of men would be so unwise as
not to recognize this necessity.


The Grangers teach that 'sub-di-
vision of labor is the highest proof of
civilization" and therefore desire to
stimulate in every honorable way the
manufactures Of all kinds, and attempt
in every way possible to assist the la
borer and mechanic, while they dis
countenance suplus of a well-dressed
gentlemen, who, under the name of
agents and others, food the country
with high priced machinery, goods and
worthless wares, and patent medicines,
greatly to the loss and injury of the
hard working yeoman of the land
National Granger.
Year: 1876

ternoon when was watching her in the
storm. 1t seemed the partner and the
eldest son of Mr.. Brandt were both OF
them quite willing to make my Rosalie
bride. She refused them repeated
ly. The partner, like an honorable
man, when he came to his senses, gave
up the matter, but young Brandt fol-
lowed her with ceaseless prosecutions.
That afternoon he had taken advant-
age of the absence of the rest of the
work-women to insult her by his con-
tlnued annoyance. He threatened her
told her her name was not free from
scandal among the tailoresses, and if
he should be on the street with her it
would ruin her. The craven declared
that he would go down the stairs, out
of the door with and follow her home.
Then it was that she arose, as / had
seen her, and with scathing words
made the fellow pCwerless. She told
him, it seems, that if he dared attempt
such an outrage, she should go directly
across the street, and demand protec-
ton and redress from one who was al
ready somewhat celebrated for legal
fame-that meant me, cousin-so you
see that we were destined to meet 1t
was this last trial, combined with ex-
treme exhaustion, that brought on
that violent fever. Well-need tell
you more ?"


oh! of course" I said, "the rest
is as plain as daylight You married
her, took her to your beautiful dwell
ing, and that interesting woman and
that handsome young lad are her moth
er and brother. They have a home
with you"


Exactly" was his reply; $50 you
see | got my wife across the street"
Year: 1876

At last she completely cured him.
For months she endured the pangs so
many thousands Of young wives are
compelled TO suffer. Almost every
morning az breakfast the heartless hus-
band expressed the that he might live
to see the day when he could get such
coffee as he used to get at home, or
such corn bread as his mother was
wont to make and bake. At dinner
the meat was overbaked in the range
TO be sure his mother used 70 roast
the meet in an old-fashioned Dutch tin
oven, and the piece was always done to
turn-the last turn of the revolving
spit. Those days were forever gone.
But he might and ought 10 get such a
green apple-pie, with new cheese, as
his mother used TO give him. At
length, the long suffering wife arose in
her wrath, upset the table, sending the
dishes and their contents crushing on
the carpet, strode over to her aston
ished husband, gave him q box on the
ear which knocked him off his chair,
and remarked


There's a clip over the head for you,
such as your mother used to give you
when was boy, gol darn yer


Thereafter there was domestic peace
and quiet in the house, with never even
an allusion to the material cookery aud
comforts of bygone days.
Year: 1876

Some of our Northern brethren are
discovering that the people of the
South, taking right view Of their own
interest, are trying to make their land
support them, and successfully direct
ing their labor into new channels. In
this connection the Brooklyn Eagle
comments at some length upon the in
crease and spread Of orange culture in
Florida, and more recently Georgia.
1t believes that in time the banks of
the Mississippi, from Memphis to New
Orleans, will be beautiful in their
green and golden dress, and where now
for miles upon miles nothing is seen
but cotton, will then be seen the bright
fruit of orange groves as a companion
picture to the white pods of the cotton
plant. Variety of product will en-
hance the value of the Southern lands,
and rotation in crops will assuredly
increase the income of the people.
The adoption of every measure that
will bring immediate prosperity is the
aim of the people, and the devoting OF
so much of their land to the nlaat;ng
orange trees is Q proof sufficient Of
their deiernlned intention to do that
which will yield them the most profit
with the least sacrifice of land and
money. With the successful culture
Of the orange will follow the expert
ment with other kinds Of more tropl-
cal fruits, and in years to come will be
developed all the resources OF the
South, which, until now, seems to have
been but half appreciated.
Year: 1876

How little do people in general think
of the influence of things at the time
of their occurrence-especially of the
influence of little things. But this is
not so very singular, when we reflect
that, not unfrequently, man no more
knows what becomes of his influence
and example, that are borne far be-
yond his ken on their uncertain mis-
sion, than does the flower know
what becomes of its odor, which is
waited away upon the passing breeze.
Great deeds produce great results; but
little everyday occurrences seem too
trivial to be of weight or durability,
and the common but dangerous senti-
ment, that such or such an event will
make no difference a hundred years
hence, creeps unbidden into our hearts.
The thunder and the lightning attract
more attention than the silent dew, but
do they accomplish more good


Truly, life is made up of little things.
It was mothers kiss which made a
well-renowned painter of Benjamin
West. A degraded drunkard was in
duced, with his trembling hand, to sign
the temperance pledge; but not being
strong enough to keep it, he fell. A
second time he signed it, and this time,
with Heavens help, he kept it. And
from so weak beginning arose the
philanthropist John B. Cough.


How much unhappiness has been
caused, how many lives have been
clouded by one unkind world A pebble
dropped into the brook makes at first
but small ripple, scarcely greater in
circumference than itself; but the next
moment greater ripple is observable,
and still greater-each succeeding
one extending farther than the former,
until the entire surface is affected
thereby. Thus may man be blot,
spreading his dark influence outward
to the very circumference of society;
or he may be a blessing, radiating
benefcence over the length and
breadth of the land; but a blank he
cannot be. For every word, every act,
however trife, effects either ourselves
or others-exerting an influence we
know not how enduring.
Year: 1876

The public debt of the United
States, less cash in tho Treasury, is two
thousand one hundred and thirty-three
thousand dollars, upon which the pso-
pie are paying more than twenty eight
millions interest annually.
Year: 1876

tion of policy of justice can we disarm the
hostility of the Indian. The present is a
propitious moment for the change.


Unfortunately the politicians wish to un-
dertake the settlement of our difficulties
with the red man. We have two candi-
dates for the Presidency, both Of whom
declare themselves in favor of reform and
anxious to settle this Indian question. Both
have their panaceas, and We fear that the
ingredients in both are alike. So far as
Tilden or Hayes is concerned the Indian
question will 60 on as usual, and continue
to be settled until it has been finally put an
end to by the disappearance of the Indians.
But the politicians may console themselves
with the reflection that the Indian question
will not have much weight in the coming
election, the only danger to republican sue
cess arising from the German vote