smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

Mr.. Stewart was strictly Just but not
q generous man in his dealings. He al
ways kept his own word scrupulously,
and required others to do the same. If
he promised to pay dollar, he paid a
dollar. and if man promised him dol
lar, nothing less than the dollar would
satisfy him. Hence he got the reputu-
tation of being hard and exacting, and
consequently was rather unpopular. He
was also a astrictly truthful man. Henever
told lies, nor asked anybody in his EN-
ploy to tell them. The foundation of
his business success was the reputation,
which his establishment gained at an
early day, for describing goods exactly
as they were, offering them at the lowest
price intended to be taken, and then
making no deviations. When he first
opened his store it was the custom of
sellers and buyers to chatter over their
transactions. The dealer asked more
than he intended to take, and the buyer
offered less than he intended to give,
and long debate followed. The result
was that timid people, women and young
persons, were very glad to find place
where they could look Mt goods, ask
prices, and then have nothing more to
do than to make up their minds whether
to take them or leave them. Mr.. Stew
art also had the reputation of paying the
lowest market rate of salaries to his
clerks. This was partly owing to his
natural shrewdness, and partly to the
fact that he was constantly overwhelmed
with applications for situations. Having
only to pick from great numt GER who
offered themselves, and who were anxious
for employment on any terms, he found
it easy to secure clerks at salaries far be-
low those that many other employers
were compelled to pay. But whatever
he promised to pay was paid punctually
and fully. And in the course of his
long career it has never been alleged
against him that he ever defrauded man
or child of cent. At tine same time he
required of all the fullest performance
of the duties that they undertook, and a
very slight failure was in his eyes suf
ficient cause for dismissal. AS an Illus
tration of his business tact, it is men-
toned that on opening his great retail
store he instructed his clerks to pay par
ticular attention to the poor women who
entered at the Fourth avenue doors, his
object being to break up the Powery
trade. And he did it effectually. .--Neac
York Tribune.
Year: 1876

Az the north-bound passenger train on
the Virginia Midland road, due here at
6 a. m, WAS approaching Charlottesville
last night, young man who had been
soundly slumbering in his seat, was seen
suddenly to leap up, rush to the door of
the car, and spring to the ground. Capt.
Peyton rang the bell, but az the train
was rushing along at the rate of thirty
miles an hour, il had gone considerable
distance before it was brought to stand
still. 1t was started back, and the young
man was met, running at full speed, and
making night hideous with his screams
to "stop the cars" He was taken
aboard, and an examination developed
the fact that his injuries amounted to
nothing worse than a skinned nose and
slight abrasion upon his hip, caused
by pistol in his pocket, which, strange
to say, had not been discharged by the
jar. The young mans explanation was
that he dreamed there was collision
and he jumped of TO save himself
Lynchburg Virgintdn.
Year: 1876

DEATII-BED CONFESSION.


About the time Camp Berry was es-
tablished, on the present site of the roll
ing mills, young lady of this city and
a soldier who was stationed there became
acquainted. The couple met often, and
q strong attachment, ending in an en-
gagement, followed. The young man
presented his betrothed with an elegant
ring. Soon after the engagement the
regiment to which the soldier was at
tached was ordered TO report at the
front at once. The news was a hard
blow to the young people. After the
departure letters were received and sent
in rapid succession. This went on for
about year, when one day the young
lady received very cool letter from her
lover. so much unlike all other letters
she had received that she at once wrote
to him saying that she wished to be re-
leased from the engagement, but giving
no reason for the change in her atfec-
tions.


When the letter was received by the
soldier in camp, he was utterly confoun-
ded He had never written any but
words of kindness and affection to her,
and why she should treat him so cruelty
was more than he could tell. He griered
for some months over his disappointment
aud at last left the army and went 10
California to rough it, and, if possible,
forget his sorrow. There he remained
until few months ago, when he uneX-
pectedly received letter from an un-
known source 1t was the dying con
fession of an old comrade who had
caused all the trouble, and on his death
bed had confessed that he had got hold
of the lovers letters and destroyed them,
sending others of his own manufacture
to the lady in this city. He had palm
ed of his writing by copying the orlgl-
nal. lie being an excellent Denman,
this was not difficult matter.


When the confession was fully au-
thenticated, the man at once started for
this city to find lis first and only love.
BY few inquiries he learned her resi-
dence, and, better still, he learned that
she, like himself, had remained unmar-
ried. He made haste to call upon her,
and, to his surprise, discovered the ring
on her finger where lac had placed 1t
fourteen years before a few words OF
explanation made them as near to each
other as ever; and, to cut long story
short, it was arranged that they should
be married at once, and the wedding is
to take place the present week at one
of our city churches.-Portiand (ue)
Press.
Year: 1876

Down in Mexico, young lady aud
a young man get out on the steps OF
Sunday evening and enter into con-
tract. For each shooting star be is TO
receive kiss. On one OF these interes-
ting occasions half hour passed away
and not solitary star shot across the
sky. Bat after while the cherry lips
OF the young lady parted and she called
the yonng mau,s atteution " the flying
meteors That was about 10 escape bis
observation then she got to calling bis
attention to lightning bugs, and finally
got him down to steady work on the
light OF ianterna man was carrying
ABOUT the depot. where the tram vas
switching. Artless girl,.-.s,.r..,
Year: 1876

SpUNK BY A WoMAH.-A Colorado
correspondent writes We had the
honor, not long since, Of seeing one Of
the first ladies who ever voted III the
United States. She cast in her ballot
in Wyoming, and gave the following
reason why she voted at all, laughing
as heartily as any of her hearers. She
said she was standing in a store one
Gay, when large black dog came in,
holding basket in his mouth. 1t was
election day, and some Of the men
standing round talking about the late
woman suffrage act, passed in the Ter
ritory, said Jack (the dog should be
allowed to put his vote in if the women
were, for he certainly had just as much
sense about such things The lady
said she made up her mind instantly to
90 directly to the polls and vote, though
She had no idea of doing so before that
man SO slandered her sex.
Year: 1876

BRIDES AT THE CENTENSIAL-Ofa all
the people who live at the Centennial
hoIeIs think the newly married couples
Philadelphia is full of them by the
way-are the only ones who are thor
oughly contented and happy. 1t makes
no difference to them whether the pota-
toes are watery, the meats dry, or the
soup thin and they do not care a pin
whether people talk to them or not
They live in little world of their own.
need no conversation but their own, and
have no thought but for each other.
They all try to act as being married was
an old story. to them, and slill for the
life of them they cannot help taking
each Others hands every five minutes.
TIE brides nearly all wear new watch
chains.-N. I. TImSs.TiT,i sysd 81,
Year: 1876

JAMES LICK's OLD FLOUR Mill
One of the late James Licks most prot
table investments in California was an
old flour mill in Santa Clara. 1t did
not cost much, and at first was OF little
use or profit to its new owner. lie
used to get up at daylight, breakfast
sparingly, and trudge off to Santa Clara
with a lunch OF doughnuts in his pocket
prepared by his landIady. Returning
in the evening, he would retire after
supper to his own room, which no one
ever entered but the person who kept
it in order, and not emerge until next
morning, when the routine OF the day
before was renewed. How he amused
himself in his privacy no one knew and
no one cared to inquire. Subsequently
he butt magnificent new mill on the
site of the Santa Clara mill. lie is said
TO have spent upon it at different times
an aggregate of 100000, though the
exact amount can never be known.
He finished it in the most elegant man
ner, the office, staircases, floors and
and even the hoppers being Of mahoga-
ny. But the flour made there was of
superior quality-like everything else
that Mr.. Lick had anything TO DO with
and commanded i dollar or two more
per barrel than that which came from
other millers. He selected his wheat
carefully and always paid a high price
for it. "Lick's -four was known far
and wide upon the Pacific coast, and
the demand for it became very general.
Mr. Lick was very proud Of his mill,
and finally gave it to the Tom Paine
Society of Boston, by whom it was
forced into the market at $4,000 The
owner was highly indignant at the sac
rifce, and eschewed the society thence
forth.
Year: 1876

FARMERS WIFE BURNED TO DEATH-HER


HUSBAND ALSO SERIOUSLY INJURED


TRENTON, July IL, 1870
horrible Calamity occurred In Hamilton township.
near this city, las, evening, toa middle aged couple
John Wolf and his wifethrough The careless handling
OF Kerosene oil Mrs. Wolf was filling lamp with tho
luid while the wick lighted. when suddenly an ex-
plosion occurred. Immediately she was enveIopcd
In flames Her husband nearby and ran to her as
ISSUANCE ont All he could do faicd TO extinguish tho
burning oil in time to her he She was fcarulv
burned all over her body and suffered intense agony
In lew moments shc was corpse. She was nearly
burned To crisp Mr.. Wolf was also terribly in
Jured and no now lies In very critical condition his
death beng hourly expected The unfortunate couple
were well known for their honesty and Industry and
they always srove to decent livelihood on the
hrm coroncr's inquest was held AMI a verdict was
rendered IN accordance with tho facts
Year: 1876

duty Of citizens 10 protcc. themselves MS far
as possible by arranging tor private patrols
or special watchmen and by arming them
selves with weapons which they know how
to use. One dead burglar is worth more
as means of prevention than the
whole police force. burglar. no mat
ter how desperate, always has touch
ing regard for his own life, and he
scorns to abuse the hospitalities of house
which contains any one who shoots AT the
same time good bolts on chamber doors are
not to be despised. To be robbed is bad
enough, but to be scared nearly to death is
worse. Had Mr.. Hitler slept behind double
bolts he and his family would have been
saved long moments of terror and indignity,
besides having IN opportunity for defence
lhe proper time to inaugurate precaution-
AIRY measures is the present; to lock the
stable door after the horse has been stolen is
always most depressing operation.
Year: 1876

1t would-be we'll for some public spirited
member of Congress to introduce into the
House Of Representatives a measure for the
abolition of the West Point Academy This
would have the effect OF testing the true
wishes OF the peoples representatives in re-
lation to hat much neglected institution
where we prepare the rough material of
future heroes. At present the Military
Academy is treated with coldness and
indifference that gives rise to the belief that
our sapient Legislators consider military
academy as unnecessary in America. 1t is
true that nations renowned in peace and
war. like England. France and Germany.
are proud Of their military academies.
where young men who choose the profession
of arms arc trained and educated to fl. them
for command. Perhaps our members OF
Congress imagine that generals are as easily
manufactured as are politicians, or they may
have such patriotic belief in the superiority
Of the average American over the efete
European as to think that he. needs
no preliminary training or education
to become an efficient general. If notions
of this kind are entertained in Congress it
might be well to give an opportunity for
their free discussion. when, no doubt, those
who hold them will be able to bring forward
convincing arguments of the souDdness Of
their views. In that case we would willingly
support measure looking to the abolition OF
the West Point Academy. But if it can be
shown that the average citizen of these
United States requires just much training
mere Britisher or Frenchman not to
speak of Prussian, then we say the coun-
try ought to do its duty toward the West
Point Academy in a large and generous
spirit and make it what it ought to be-the
best military school in the world.
Year: 1876

Hydrophobia as cause of death appears
to have greatly increased in England as well
as in the United States within recent years.
In the five years ending with 1864 there was
an average of four cases a year in the five
years ending with 1874 the average was
forty-three cases o year, and it is thought
that it has been still worse in 1876 and 1876.
For disease to suddenly increase in SO
great degree as this implies necessarily
the operation Of some very effective cause
not in operation in the earlier years, and
when an increase so great is observed in
countries SO widely separated as Eng
land and the United States all causes
related to climate and to communication
of the virus from one to another are of
couse excluded. But if we find active in
each country recently introduced agent
capable of originating the disease we may
conclude with reasonable certainty that that
is the cause of it's increased prevalence. In
either country this reasoning points to the
Spitz dog as the offender. In England, as
we'll as in the United States, this animal is
of recent introduction. But he has another
name. He is called in England the Pome-
ranian aog. This is because he was first
known in Europe coming from Pomera-
MIA, but he had reached Pomerania pre-
viously from some of the neighboring Scandi-
nayian or Russian countries toward the Arctic
Circle In this country the date of his in
PRODUCTION cannot be definitely fixed, but if
there were any specimens brought earlier
than the return of Kanes expedition there
is no record of it. So far as known his
spread through the country is due to the
specimens brought by that expedition. In
the case of each country the great increase
of hydrophobia is coeval, not perhaps with
the introduction, but certainly with the ex-
tensive distribution of this animal. HYDRO
phobia seems to be bred out eventually
in countries where the animals are
removed from possible contact with others
in wild state. In France and Germany it
is constant, for there the starved wolves
come down in winter and bite the dogs. In
England it was comparatively unknown
few years since, as shown by the statistics
quoted above, and in the United States it
was the same. But the introduction of an
animal only removed by slight differences
from his condition in a wild state. and
great change OF climate, with its peculiar
effect on his nervous system, have suddenly
revived an old evil, which will continue to
trouble us till we exterminate this species
of dog.
Year: 1876

Catharine Berth now lies dying of pistol
shot wound inflicted on her by her husband,
Charles Berth, nine days ago. When the
Coroner took the ante-mortem statement of
the poor woman she acquitted her husband
of blame and asserted that the shooting was,
in her belief, accidental. The affair was
consequently looked upon as one Of those
sad calamities that sometimes fall on us
without any fault Of our own, and no doubt
those who read the account of the Chrystie
street tragedy pitied the man whose hand
had brought this desolation on his home
even more than the woman who was the i'm.
mediate sufferer. Death might come to her
relief, but he would linger on with the pic
ture of the terrible event ever before him.
But a change comes over the story. Cath
crime Berth's brother arrives in the city and
hastens to the bedside of his dying sister to
learn from her lips that the tale she has told
the Coroner was untrue; that the husband
who should have been her protector delibcrs
ately took her life; that the shooting was in-
territorial, and that she is the victim of .
cruel murder. This at least is the story OK
Year: 1876

From the interesting review of the past
methods and proposed future plans for
''ruling our cities" which will be found in
to-day's HERALD it will be seen that the i'm
portant work on which Governor Tildens
municipal Commission" has been for
more than year engaged is now about CON-
pleted, and will be lai1 before the State
Legislature at an early day of the approach
ing session. We are promised by this COM
mission, of which Mr.. William NJ. Evarts is
chairman, system of municipal govern
ment which shall be backed by constitu-
tional provisions and shall apply to all the
cities of the State, so that its stability will
be assured. For many years New York
has received too much attention from the
State Legislature. Her large revenues and
tempting patronage have fascinated our
rural statesmen, and every new school OF
sharks that has foated into the legislative
pool at Albany has been ready TO
take its bite out of the unfortu-
nate metropolis. Charters have been made
not for the people, but for the politicians,
and as one political ring after another has
gained the ascendancy in the city the laws
have been changed and tinkered to suit the
interests of those who have for the moment
been uppermost. If Mr.. Evarts and his as
sociates propose a practical plan by which
we shall in future be protected against this
selfish and varying legislation, which will
make the machinery of the city government
more simple and less expensive, and which
will increase at once both the authority and
the responsibility Of our local rulers, they
will do good service to the people of New
York.


But these promised reforms are de-
pendent on constitutional amendments and
some time must elapse before they can be
put into operation. Meanwhile we must
trust to the city charter as it now exists and
to the new officers who will take charge Of
the government next month to give us a
wise, progressive and efficient administra-
ton for the next two years. Mayor Ely
Comptroller Kelly, President Purroy, of the
Aldermanic Board, President Wheeler, of
the Tax Department, and Corporation Coun-
sci Whitney, who will be the real
heads of the city government next
year, are political brothers-in -arms, who
smoke the pipe of fraternal love around the
fire of the Tammany Wigwam. There will
be no clashing between them as public Off
GERS, and the various departments Of the
municipal government will move as
smoothly and harmoniously under their
rule as do the various parts of one Of the
HERALp's famous Bullock presses. The
people have, therefore, a right to expect
from them strong and liberal government
for the next two years-a government that
will give MS well-paved streets, sufficient
water supply, improved docks, decreased
departmental expenditures and sound
financial policy. The city will then be in
better condition to receive the blessing of
the Municipal Commissions substantial re-
form. Will Mayor Ely and Comptroller
Kelly see that the hopes of the people are
not disappointed?
Year: 1876

The Aldermen have proposed to take up
in earnest the subject of warming the street
cars during the cold weather. and compel
ling the companies, which make enormous
profits out of the people and enjoy valuable
franchises free of cost, to do at least thus
much for the health and comfort of their
passengers. If the Alderman who stands
forward as the champion of this measure
does not, like the famous Killian Of mo
seat no fare notoriety, pretend to be on the
side of the people only for the purpose Of
selling them out, he may compel this con-
cession to the public on the part of the
wealthy horse car companies. 1t is only
question Of the expenditure of few dollars
and a little labor on each car There can
be no difficulty in devising mode Of heat
ing if the companies are willing to incur
the expense The most simple method
would seem to be the insertion of
an iron plate in the bottom of the
car from end to end, under which
should be placed a chauferct'e, run
ming the length of the car, to be filed
with hot water on each round trip At each
end of the chd,.ferette should be nozzle,
through one of which the cold water
could be let out, and through the other the
hot water could be let in. The cost of these
plates and chau,erettcs, and of one boiler and
two mems wages would form tho extent Of
the expense to the companies, some of which
are making more than one hundred per cent
yearly on their honest, bond .tde invest
ment.


Probably much Of the sickness and death
in the city might be traced to long rides in
cold weather on comfortless, unwholcsome,
damp and crowded cars, which are one
minute filled with foul vapors and
the next turned into icehouses by
cold currents of air. Rheumatism, con-
find their hotbeds in the cars of the
Third avenue line. Many of them, espe-
cielly those used at night, are old, rotten,
offensive pesthouses, only fit to be broken
up for tircwood. Yet this company realizes
enormous profits, a portion Of which it uses
corruptly to deprive tho people Of rapid
transit year after year. As the horse car
companies enjoy valuable franchises from
the people for which they pay nothing the
least they can do is to devote small frac-
ton of their large earnings to the public
safety aud comfort. The Aldermen can find
some method to compel the heating Of the
cars in the winter if they feel honestly dis
posed to do So, and we shall watch their
action on the resolution now before them
with some interest.
Year: 1876

The operations of the masked bur-
glars at Ravcnswood Friday night shows
every householder what may happen to
himself on almost any evening this win
ter. 1t is easy to lay the successful issue
of such rascalities to the negligence of
the police, but the truth is that If there
were several times as many officers on
duty every night there would be moth
ing to prevent ruffians gathering them
selves together and attempting to rob
any house that seems to offer prospect
Of plumber. Instead Of wasting time in
grumbling at the police it is the manifest
Year: 1876

Mr.. Lawrence Oliphant, the represents
tive in America of the Direct Cable Company,
gives to the Tribune his views in relation ia
the proposed amalgamation of that company
with the Anglo-American and the conse-
uuent restoration of cable monopoly.
Speaking only in the interest of che Direct
Companys bona fde stockholders Mr..
Oliphant condemns the scheme. The ANAL.
gamation OF the French line with the Anglo.
holders of the former and in like manner all
the owners of stock in the Direct Cable
Company who are outside particular
ssring" would suffer from the proposed con-
solidation. While this is unquestionably
true it is not so certain that the public
would in the end be injured by the new
amalgamation. An independent cable can
be constructed by popular subscription
among business men and the press at ar
investment according to Mr. Olphant
only one-ninth as large as the capi.
tai of the existing companies. Such
a cable could do easily twenty-five pei
cent of the present business, and would,
therefore, make on its investment moro than
double the profits of the existing companies.
Mr.. Oliphant's estimate of the cost of a new
business line is, of course, based on single
cable but if he is correct four cables could
be laid with only half as much capital aa
wonld be represented by the amalgamated
Direct and Anglo-Amcrican companies. It
is, therefore, probable that the proposed re-
turn to cable monopoly might, in tho end,
prove benefit to the public by promoting
the formation of company that would
not be hampercd with watered stock and
would have no other interest than that OF
doing the business of the public and the
press at as low u rate of tariff as possible.