smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

For several months the country has
been seriously annoyed, and, in some
cases, grossly outraged, by tramps. The
Supervisors of Orange county, New
York, have taken hold of the subject in
right good earnest, and expect to abate
the nuisance.


1t is said that about twenty thousand
tramps have been fed and lodged in that
county during the year at the public ex-
pnese, costing. on an average, one dollar
each. The plan adopted by one town
was simply thus: When tramp applies
he is put in the lookup, which has no
furniture buta stove and wooden bench.
A warm fire is kept up, and the tramp is
furnished with pound of crackers and
all the water he might drink. In the
morning he is released, and never tarrics
to accept the hospitality of that place
again. The number was in a short time
reduced to almost nothing, and the cost
from seventy-five cents day per head
to few cents. Another town adopted
the same plan, or similar one, and has
reduced its allowance from thirty day
to two or three week. These facts in
dicated that the tramps keep up some sort
of communication among themselves. The
county has now adopted the plan. a
Port Jervis letter says:


Each town is required to erect or lease
suitable lookup at nominal expense,
the money being appropriated for the
purpose, and every tramp applying for
relief is, on complaint, to be arrested and
taken before Magistrate, who will COM
NIT him to the lookup at hard labor and
fare for not less than thirty nor more than
sixty days. In Sussex county, New Jer-
sey, they have had plan in operation
for some months which has driven every
professional tramp out of its precincts,
although before it was Overrun with
them. An inclosure was added to the
County Jail, in which every tramp
caught in that county was committed and
set to breaking stone for stated period.
When released, he was furnished with a
ticket of leave, good for twenty-four
hours. If at the expiration of that time
he was found in the county, his arrest
followed, and he was sentenced to long
term of breaking stone and prison fare.
Your professional tramp loves liberty
and good victuals and lodging, and hates
work; 50 Sussex county is given wide
berth by him, and the army, from Maine
to Texas, knows the locality.


The New Jersey policy is too harsh, for
some tramps are more to be pitied than
blamed; but the Orange county plan is
fair, and no really deserving and penni-
less wayfarer could complain of its
rigOr,
Year: 1876

What Is life, father


A battle my child,
Where the strongest lance may fail,
Where the wariest eye may be beguiled,
. And the stoutest hearts may quail.
Where the foes are gathered on every hand,
Aud rest not day or night,
And the feeble little ones must stand
In the thckest Of the fight.
What Is death, father?


The rest, my child,
When the strife and toll are Ger;
The Angel OF God, who, calm and mild,
Says We need fight no more;
Who, driving away the demon band,
Bids the din OF battle cease;
Takes banner and spear from our falling hand,
And proclaims an eternal peace.
Let me die, father! tremble, and fear
To yield In that terrible strife.
The crown must be won for Heaven, dear,
In the battlefield of life;
My child, though thy foes are strong and tried
He loveth the weak and small
The angels of Heaven are on thy side,
And God is over all
Year: 1876

Thomas was a marked charactt Z among
the whole corps of stewards onacconnt
of his appetite. He. was three men for
eating. Those of the saloon stewards who
did not know his name, when asked to
describe the " big 'eater,.o. al once mem
toned the stout gentleman, with full
beard and gold spectacles. Not single
meal out of the five or six served daily
was missed by him, and at each meal
nothing was amiss and no quantity too
much. One of the passen ers used to
joke him on his capacity, and Thomas
replied laughingly, never appearing pro.
vOked. He was at all times jovial and
laughing. One steward recalled him as
the gentleman with spectacles, who took
the whole passage when going to his sa-
loon, no one being able to pass him in
the narrow gangway between decks. The
bar-keeper, by whose door he frequently
passed, and whose wares he not unfre-
quently tried, jokingly alluded to his
sylph-like form. Thamas again replied
good naturedly. One of his specialties
was fnner.haddy." This he insisted on
having each morning at breakfast, order.
ing the steward to get it. He would
especially instruct him not to =" bring a
bit on a plate," until the calls each morn
ing at the pantry for " fnner-haddy for
three" came to be a matter of merri-
ment among the boys on the ship.


Thomas mingled freely with the pas
sengers, and in every way made himself
agreeable. In the smoking room he
showed himself an apt student of Schenck
on draw-poker, playing the game with
almost uniform good luck and managing
to relieve his fellow-passengers of many
sovereigns. He would familiarly take of
his coat while at the game, and even
then perspire freely, but withal watch
ing the game with the keenness of an
expert gamester, laughing and chatting
the while. He was liberal, SO the
stewards say, and their opportunities for
testing that point were not unfrequent
during the trip.


He kept late hours at night in his
state-room, having the light burning long
after hours, and at times removing the
shade globe from the swinging light.
This was all contrary to the ship rules,
and attracted attention to him. What
be occupied himself with in the state
room is not known, as he kept the door
fast to prevent surprises. One of the men
remembered seeing some small tools In
the berth once during Thomas occupancy
of it. -New York World.
Year: 1876

The San Francisco Chronicle of Decem-
ber 10 talks with characteristic conf.
dence thus: In no year since California
became State has the prospect at this
season of the year been so magnificent
for the farmers. Looking over the whole
State, there is one general expression of
satisfaction, from the northern to the
southern counties. The area of land
under cultivation is much larger than in
any previous year. A considerable area
has been reclaimed, and still larger one
rendered fertile by irrigation. Unless
some unforeseen and unfortunate change
in the weather should take place before
harvest time, we shall be able to pour
into the markets of the world from
twenty to twenty-five per cent. more of
the cereals than in 1873 and 1874; in
other words, we shall have to sell from
six hundred thousand to seven hundred
thousand tons of wheat. Unless the
European markets should be specially
unfavorable, this will bring into the
State an enormous amount of money,
that can not fail to place our farmers
fairly on their feet and stimulate every
branch of business. Our wine and wool
crops will also add some millions to the
income of the State for the ensuing year.
From present appearances no State. in
the Union has brighter prospects. than
California. 1t is high time. that our
farmers should have good luck to recehl-
pense them for some Of the losses and
discouravementsd df the mast
Year: 1876

Ten days later young man in West
ern town might have been seen busily
writing what appeared to be an import
ant document. From time to time he
referred to some papers that lay before
him on the desk. His face bore the inn
press of subdued sorrow and heroic
endurance-such an one as we see a
dczen times in the course of whole
life, but when once seen is never forgot
ten.


Erred, does this concern your Harry
ran across 1t in the New York Herald
and brought it over to me. / hope it is
good news, old fellow"


If Frederick Arnold will send any
tidings of himself to No. 1O5 Arlington
Place, Boston, he will hear of something
TO his advantage. Any information re-
garding this gentleman will be richly re-
warded."


"I am off on the 4:30 train, Hall. II
il news of my lost Oracle. Goodbye.
We will not forgetl Expect me back
any day. Will telegraph Immediately"
Year: 1876

checked power, the Democratic party,
which divides with them the population
OF our country, seems, by the election
oil President and a majority OF the House
OF representatives, to gain voice in
the counsels Of the nation. Its success
will not enable 1t to pass nor to repeal
laws without the assent Of its opponents
In the Senate. The largest share OF pow
er and patronage will still be left in the
hands of the Republican party. Under
our government no violent changes OF
policy can be made except by repeated
elections. Surely at this time Of bust.
ness distress and gloom every thought
full citizen should desire such dlstribu-
tlon Of power as will make each polit-
ical organization watchtul to the vote
and be rigorous to correct the Wrong-do-
ing OF Its opponents.


In this way only we can hope to cor
rect not only the gross wrongs but the
more subtle, and on the whole, the more
hurtful usages which waste the revenue
OF the Government, and oppress the in
du5tries Of the country. On our part we
offer our candidates for the Presidency
and the Vice Presidency, and a majority
OF the House of Representatives, to rep
resent the Democratic party in It's efforts
for reform. On the other hand let the
Republican Senate and the great array
Of officials represent their organizl
Then the coming elections can De de-
cided in view of their respective exhibi-
lions of ability, virtue and patriotism.


1t was never designed by the trainers
of our Government that one party
should control all Its branches for so
long period that it would lose o sense
of accountability. 1t was because the
Republicans have thus had power that
they have outraged the sentiments of
their own partisans. 1t is because Of
the recent Democratic victories that
they begin to feel the necessity Of oom-
mitting themselves to the favor OF the
public. Will thoughtful conserva-
tive citizens check these wholesome
changes before they have been confirmed
in more yirtuous habits by tempting
them again by unchecked power?


believe the people of America will
not make this fatal mistake, and there
fore am confident we shall carry our
State and elect.our President and ticket.


Signed1 HoRATIo SEYMOUR.


Another Convention.


Immediately upon receiving the letter
u call was issued for the reconVening of
state Convention at Saratoga,on Tues
day, the 18th OF September.
Year: 1876

TRIAL OF THE ACCUSED TICKET COLLECTOR OF


THE DEspRossEs STREET FERRY.


The case OF Morgan Decker, ferry master at the
Desbrosses street ferry, who is charged with forming
a conspiracy with several others TO derard the Penn
syvana Railroad Company out oil large amount OF
money by the resale OF tickets received frcm passcn
gers at the Terry called up before Justice Murray.
ip the Tombs Police Court yesterday for examination.


II will be remembered that two others who were con-
nected with Decker in the conspiracy were committed
for trial in default of heavy bail few days ago. MI
william II. Pla,tner, who makes the complaint and
was also in conspiracy. called to tho
stand He stated in answer to the questions oil coun-
sell that he resident OF and constable
in Newark, n. j.. he was appointed TO the
latter position on thc l1th OF January
III the present year. having been discharged from the
employment OF the Pennsylvania Railroad on the 2oth
oil September. 1875. lie served ticket collector Tor
the company ut Jersey City from the ist oil April unti
the 1st OF September. and At Desbrosses street New
York. from the latter date until the 10Th oil December
the LIT day oil october, 1879 he was at Dcsbrosses
street collecting under Morgan Decker, who was ferry
master that date he kept 100 passenger ferry tick
cts which should have been deposited in IA locked box
provided by the comlany Tor that purpose and carried
them to Decker who rcsoid them and aiierward
divided the proceeds with him lie dsned that they
hau made any previous arrangement or that either
party spoke word when he delivered
the tickets They aiiefward met on ono oil
the ferrybouts going to Jersey City, when Decker sat
down beside him and slipped his share OF the proceeds
hand unTer one OF the arm rests IN mo
rear gentlemeus cabin He denied any expectation OF


reward from the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, or
any person connected Herewith, for making The COM
plant against the others. Counsel Tor he defence
asked HIM II he dId state to Judge Pawln OF New
ark The 9th inst the day before he made the com
plant board the steamboat Novelty, that he had
dirty job To do next day and that he would receive
$500 tor dong 1t from the Pennsylvania Railroad COM
pauy He answered that he ala not remember saying
IT, would deny thai he did say H. but he would
that he ala not expect Il good situation from
the company Tor his action. lie stated
on further questioning that he was living present at
the ST. Nicholas Hotel he went there at the nstiga-
ton OF Mr. A. W. Gwynncr, auditor OF passenger ro-
ccpts Tor the company he never paid any bills there.
but supposed they paid by the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company question oil counsel for the defence
as to what his motive Was Tor making the complaint
was objected to by opposing counsel After some
further upimportan testimony Tho case was adjourned
until this morning, at eleven O'Clock.
Year: 1876

the suit brought by John c. Conner, Jr, against
the New Jersey and New York Railroad Company,
David r. Patterson and Henry c. Dcmng, tried before
Judge Speir, Special Term of the Superior Court
decision given yesterday sustaining the demurrer
to the mplain, but with leave amend the same.
The action was brought account OF the refusal OF
the defendants to transfer to the plaintiff 4500
shares OF the company's stock: the defendant, Pat
terson being the President of the company aud Dcming
the Secretary the claim beng that II was their duty
to make such transfer. The demurrer the
grounds that there is defect OF parties misjondtr
bl and not sufficient facts TO constitute
Acausc OF action Judge Spcir overruicd the first
two points. but holds that there was nothing
In the complaint 10 show that it was the
duty of the President and Secretary to make
the transfer IN qut ston that II contained no alega-
lion that they bound by any clause contained IN
The certificate that there was any law or resolution
ty which any duty created imposing upon them as
officers Of tie corporation To act agents or otherwise
TO make the transer that in short nothing shown N


the complaint how transfers OF stock were to be made
the books, by what persons or oicais ms agents and
particularly whether tho president and secretary
authorized under any regal obligation TO perform
that Duty and that until that appears cannot be in-
icrrcd they liable Tor the performance OF
. duty posed by law.
Year: 1876

The New Jersey ard New York Railway Company
trouble continues The engineers and employees posi-
lively refuse TO resume work until their wages are
paid. They Lave not been paid for eight months,
ccpt in notes, and these notes have gone to protest
The couplings and other connections between the
have been taken away by the employees so that the
trains cannot Dcputations of the workingmen
have been frequently sent to the rectors TO present
their case. but to no purpose Tue road has been in
thriving condition during tho past six months, but the
have not reaped tho benefit OF it. Those living
along the herr section OF the road have reach
New York by either the Midland or Nor hcrn roids.
THIS company II will be remembered, was IN dni-
Guilty year ago with the Erie Railway Company on
account OF deficiency which due the latter by the
former for toll rates in running over portion OF the
Erie Railway The claim of tho Erie Company has
never been satisfactorily settled.
Year: 1876

At various times resolutions have been introduced
by ex-Alderman Cooper and others to cut through
West Sevcnty-seventh street 10 the buG on the North
River. This would necessitate the destruction OF Mr.
Woods homestead around which so much
taste and refinement as well as his park. Mr. Wood
all the property IRON Seventysixth to Seventy
eighth street to the Hudson River Railroad and there
advantage to be gained by the proposed spoaton
there Ia not even pier on the North River that
could benefited by such work. At the last meeting
OF the Aldermen Mr. Cudpp renewed this proposition
and 1t sent to tho appropriate committee for a
Year: 1876

CATALPA.


Crowds OF visitors swarmot around O'Donovan
Rossas Hotel yesterday, anxious to get view OF the
escaped Fenans, but without success. The men rose
early and took their several ways TO visit their friends
Before they left they held meeting. at which no one
but themselves was present, and the nature of the
business transacted they did not wish to make public
The bark Catapa which is stiil lying of the Battery
is the subject o. much curiosity, and boatoads were
carried to and from her during the day The story Of
the rescue told and retold and the whaeboat in
which the prisoners made their escape critically
examined. Triing souvenirs were eagerly sought
alter aud every little article in any way associated
with the enterprise was held In high appreciation The
Catalpa will sail this morning for New Bedford
Year: 1876

Judge Barnard. in the Supreme Court, yesterday,
granted an extension OF twenty days, on motion of
Counsel for the Brooklyn Board of Police Commission
crs and Superintendent Campbell. against whom action
brought by the Mayor of the city OF New York to
RESTRAIN them IRON interfering with New the York
Street Cleaning Bureau IN the matter of dumping
garbage IN the Lower Bay. Tue motion based on
the that Counsel TOR Police Board had been so
constantly busy that he had not had time 10 prepare
The necessary papers.
Year: 1876

Come, my wife, put down the Bible.


Lay you glasses on the book,
Both Of us are bent and aged


Backward, mother, let US look.
This is still the Same old homestead


Where brought you long ago
When the hair was bright with sunshine


That is now like winters snow.
Let us talk about the babies ~
a e As we sit here all alone,
Such a merry troop of Youngsters;


How we lost them one by one.
Jack, the first of all the party.
Came to US one winters night, -r.-..
Jack, you said, should be parson,


Long before he saw the light. -..
DO you see that great cathedral,


Filled, the transcpt and the nave.
Hear the organ grandly pcaling,
Watch the silken hangings wave
See the priest in robes of office;


with the alter at his buck
Would you think that gifted preacher


Could be our own little Jack.
Then girl with curly tresses


Used 10 climb upon my knee,
Like little fairy princess


Ruling ut the age of three.
With the years there came wedding


How your fond heart swclled with pride
When the lord of all the country
e. Choose your baby for his bride -
Watch the stately carriage coming,


And the form reclining there
Would you think that Brilliant lady


Could be our own little Clare
Then the last blue eyed yuungstet--


can hear him prattle now
Such strong and sturdy fellow.


With broad and honest brow.
How he used to love his mother I


All ! see your trembling lip;
He is far off on the water,


Captain OF a royal ship. -r rt
Sec the bronze upon his forehead,


Here the voice Of stern Command
That the boy who olung so fondly


To his mothers gentle hand 7
All my wife, we've lost the babies,


Ours 80 long and ours alone
What ara we to these great people,
Stately men and women grown!
Seldom do we even see them


Yes, bitter tear drop starts,
And we sit here in the fire light,
Lonely hearths and lonely hearts.
All their lives are full without us;


They'll stop long enough one day
Just to lay us in the churchynrd,


Then they'll each go on their way.
Year: 1876

The Iowa State Register has The


following story: Two young gen.


tlemen of Polk City, on pleasant


afternoon few days since, had


sailed forth in search of some cows


and found themselves upon bank


of the Des Moines, while the OBJ


jects OF their pursuit were quietly


grazing upon the other side. The


youths soon divested themselves of


clothing, and, breasting the rip


ping waters, swan to the other


side, whereupon the cows, alarmed


at the sight of these original Adams,


fed into the brush. The Polk City


gentlemen followed in hot pursuit,


and soon came all unwarned upon


a picnic party of young ladies who,


of course, were greatly terrified by


the sight of these strange animals,


similar to nothing they he'd ever


seen before. The young Adams


rapidly withdrew, stopping not to


apologize or explain. They now


determined to abandon the search
and resume their store clothes as


soon as possible. With that end


in view, they began TO retrace their


steps toward the river and had ac-


complished about half the distance


when they were attacked by a fe-


rocious bulldog and compelled to


betake themselves TO the top of q


fence for refuge. In this position
they attracted the attention OF two
old maids living in an adjoining
house. The ancient damsels ap-
peared upon the porch, and were
soon lost in animated discussion
as to the nature of the singular
creatures perched upon the fence.
The young Adams contracted them
selves TO the smallest dimensions,
and waited for something to turn
up or the dog to leave. The latter
event-the departure of the dog
occurred about dusk, and the
who were by that time con-
siderably chilled, started for the
river in search of their clothes.
But by this time the shades of night
had fallen to such an extent that
they were unable to find the place
where they had disrobed. Naught
could be done, naught could be
said, but do their best to get home
to bed. In about ON hour they
found themselves on the outskirts
of Polk City somewhat the worse
for scratches, stumped toes, and
frosty weather. They started eau
tiously down back alleys, and after
cutting their feet on broken bottles
and old barrel hoops; after being
chased by small dogs, and terribly
frightening an old lady who was
feeding her COW in the alley, after
.hese and other disasters they
'ound themselves in the back yard
,f one of the twain, ensconced be-
mind store box. Here they call
ID Justify for help, and the kitchen
ioor being opened, one of them,
with his head elevated above tho
box, explained the situation and
asked plaintively for clothing
The request wa complied with, and
these two youths now fully apprca
ciate the Biblical words, II was a
stranger and We took me in; naked;
md we clothed me-
Year: 1876

When man goes to a quilting
party about tea time, and sits down
on bali Of wicking with a long
darning needle in 1t, he win think
of more things connected with
ldarning in minute than be could
mention in two hours. l
Year: 1876

Congressman Tucker, who has kept himself
closely muzzled since his disastrous round with
Mr.. Blaine, shows that his long silence has done
him good. He removed the muzzle long enough
the other day to utter the following sound senti-
ments Let no man, anywhere, harbor the susp-
cion that any Southern man fails to recognize the
extinction, finally and unalterably, of slavery and
the equal rights of the African citizen under the
Federal Constitution with that of the white cni-
zen; nor that there is any reservation in the hope
and purpose of the South that, in the restored and
continued union of the states, North, South, East,
and West, under the Constitution, we shall achieve
all of liberty and progress and prosperity in the
second century of our existence which was
dreamed oS by our fathers 100 years ago."
Year: 1876

The exploding of lamp in Newport, Ohio,
covered girl with blazing kerosene, and she was
burned to death. She was alone, and was dead
when discovered; but her footsteps. as she ran
from room to room in agony, were burned into
the oilcloth AID carpet, SO that every movement
could be traced.