smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873

American boys are expected to become
manly men. The mother of every boy is
expected to teach him to be obedient to
parental authority, to the civil law, and to
acquire an education, business, a trade,
or an art, something for which he may be
best adapted, and by which he may obtain
an honest living. This is privilege, nay
more-it is a duty--a duty to self, to
family, to friend, to the state, and to the
nation2 When this is done, society has
guaranty for the good conduct and useful
ness Of each Of her sons. When it is ne
elected, and boys grow up in Ignorance
and idleness, society is taxed for their
support, either in her reformatories. her
jails, hospitals, or asylums. How much
cheaper it would be to have every boy
properly trained and disciplined, 50 that he
would be a blessing instead of curse to
the world. He is sure to be one or the
other-lScience Of Health.
Year: 1873

There can be no life without air. Beau
tiihl to the eye of the distant observer, the
moon is a sepulchral orb-a world Of death
and silence. vegetation clothes its vast
plains of stony desolation, traversed by
monstrous crevasses, broken by enormous
peaks that rise like gigantic tombstones
into space no lovely forms of cloud float
in the blackness Off its sky, There daytime
is only night lighted by a rayless sun
There is no rosy dawn in the morning, no
twilight in the evening. The nights are
pitch-dark. In daytime the solar beams
are lost against the jagged ridges, the sharp
points of the rocks, or steep sides of pro-
found abysses; and the eye sees only
grotesque shapes relieved against fantastic
shadows black as ink, with none of that
pleasant graduation and diffusion of light,
none of the subtitle blending of light and
shadow, which make the charm of terres-
trial landscape. A faint conception of the
horrors of lunar day may be formed
from an illustration representing land
scape taken in the moon in the centre of
the mountainous region of Aristarchus.
There is no color, nothing but dead white
and black. The rocks reflect passiyely the
light of the sun; the craters and abysses
remain wrapped in shade fantastic peaks
rise like phantoms in their glacial ceme-
terry the stars appear like spots in the
blaekness of space. The moon is dead
world; she has no atmosphere.-From
Earth and Air by $. $. Conant in


Horper's Magozae for March.
Year: 1873

scarcely knew how or where to get his
daily bread. Both himself and wife had
been accustomed to move in the higher
walks Of life, and both were too proud to
reveal their true situation, but studiously
concealed their poverty In this situation
the pale horse and his rider came to the
relief Of his suffering child. But, here
again, was fresh difficulty. How should
he give interment to his deceased offspring.
Ills high-strung spirit would not allow him
to reveal his destitute condition, and he
had not wherewith to buy shroud or coffin.
much less lot in cemetery and the SER
vices of an undertaken, The mother, with
fearful eyes and bursting heart, bent over
her llfeless little one and made the best
preparation for its interment she could.
She prepared its best garments, combed
back its hair and parted it over its marble
brow, and when all was ready, when the
last kiss had been taken and the last long
lingering look, with sobs and utterance
broken by her emotion she announced to
her husband that the child was ready for
Its narrow house. But where should il
lind that narrow house ? Where should
they lay its remains, as no place of sepul-
ture had been provided? In this dilem-
ma, the father took small box, deposited
the child within il, carefully adjusted and
nailed down the top Of the box, and then
seating himself in chair, seemed to be
absorbed in thought Hour after hour
rolled by, and yet the father delayed to
move, seeming like one undetermined
what to do. At length the town clock
tolled the midnight hour, and as the stern
watchman uttered his sonorous "twelve
O'Clock" and moved on upon his accus-
toned round, the father took the box un-
der his arm and softly wended his way,
through the darkness and silence, to the
foot of Federal Hill, and, hurriedly exea-
waiting cavity in the precipitous side of
the hill, deposited the remains of the child
within it, covered it over quickly with the
loose earth, straining both eyes and ears
the while, to catch the faintest sound of
approaching footsteps, lest he should be
discovered by the guardians of the city and
arrested in the act. o, how the very
thought of discovery narrowed up his soul !
lie would at once be suspected of having
pcrpetated some foul crime, and the re-
mains Of his child would be p,7ma facie
evidence of the fact, and he would be con.
signed to a loathsome prison lie scarcely
dared to breathe while he performed, at
such time and place, the last sad Offices
towards his dead offspring, and the very
throbbings of his heart were audible. At
length the sad task was accomplished, and
with hurried steps he retraced his way to
his home, and overpowed with emotion he
sank down upon the floor and gave vent to
a food of tears o, who can realize the
anguish of the agonized parents, during
the dark and gloomy hours Of that memo
rable night, Who can enter into the
feelings and sensibilities awakened in the
breast of that father, by the strange and
trying circumstances in which he found
himself placed during that midnight inter.
ment.
Year: 1873

Although the formal report of the Senate
Finance Committee OH the question OF expanding the
currency IA popularity supposed to be conclusive OF
that matter The Troy Times thinks need something
more binding II says that the Secretary is not
obliged shape his in accordance with the views
OF the Finance Committee that we have right 10
assume that circumstances may arise when he will feel
bis duty 20 again part OF the N4,OOOOO re-
Speaking Of the secretarys defense, The Times
says;


This equivalent 70 a declaration that at any other
7me wben his Judgment, the business of the country
shall demand that sort OF interference he viii deem his
duty repeat performance OF last October And the
opinions Congress committees VIII be OF no avail TO
zestran him, unless backed by positive enactment The
yresent of Congress should not be allowed 70 ex
Ire without the passage OF law absolutely forbddlng
tae OF the reserve or any portion OF It,
The country afford 20 take the risk OF arbitrary
and expansions and cODtractons or the cur
Iency. the mandate OF man, no matter how honest
be may be IN his intentions.


Our cOtemporary Is right and there is sound reason
FOR believing that this Congress will formally declare its
Interpretation OF existing statutes wholly opposed TO
tAe theory set up by the Treasury Department.
Year: 1873

licans must remain united and fight as one
man. The unhappy differences between
CASTELAR, and Salmeron have been great
drawback to the success of the young Republic
These differences have been got over. and
Salmeron gives his own strength and tho
strength of his friends to the government It
will be well for Spain if all the other interests
unite. What Spain wants is strong govern
ment, and love of country should at the pres
ent moment make Spanish politicians forgetfui
of personal and party jealousy. We shall now
wait to see what the government can do with
the Carlists with the intransigentes and with
Cuba. The Republic must give proof of
strength or perish
Year: 1873

| well be taken off this estimate. So on through
other estimates of the list submitted by the
Secretary of the Treasury in his report there
might be made reductions THERE'S an esti-
mate under the ambiguous term ''permanent"
of nearly nineteen millions, which, in all proba-
bility, could be pared down considerably. At
any rate, the whole forty millions which Sec
retary Richardson has asked for by fresh taxa
ton might be rendered unnecessary through
the reduction and economy we have suggested.
Then, we think the Secretary has underesti-
mated, and perhaps Intentionally, the income
of the government. The revenue begins to
show signs of improvement as the business of
the country revives, and it is quite likely the
Secretary has had too gloomy view of the
prospect


There is no reason why the expense of gov
ernment should be in time of peace o hun
dred and ninety millions year, exclusive of
interest on the debt. Allowing even con-
siderable sum for sinking fund the cost Of
government would be nearly three times
greater than it was just before the war, not
reckoning the debt interest. The increase of
population and expense of carrying on the
government are not SO much greater. We are
really keeping up the extravaganza of war
times. Mr.. Richardson and his predecessors
have been too intent on paying off the ma
tional debt rapidly, while keeping up extrava-
CANT current expenditures, and now, when a
temporary financial disturbance comes, the
government is embarrassed and calls for help.
In our article yesterday we were made. to say
by an error that Mr.. Richardson was an
economical Secretary Of the Treasury. He is
not that, he is anything but that, and he
shows little ability in managing the national
finances. A hundred and fifty millions q
year would be more than ample for the cur
rent and contingent expenses of the govern
ment, exclusive of interest on the debt and
sinking fund, when the country is at peace,
and If the Secretary were an able and econom-
ical fnancier he would bring his estimates
down to that sum.
Year: 1873

A PECULIAR SYSTEM OF EcoSoMY.-Of all
the strange DISCUSSES that municipal reform
assumes the most extraordinary is that of re-
fusing to pay the lawful debts Of the city until
compelled by the courts to do So Litigation
of just claims generally results in the discom-
fiture of the wiseacres who pretend thus to
establish new system of economy. When to
the face Of bill are added large sums IN the
shape Of interest and costs it is difficult to
know where economy comes in. In the last
batch Of suits, eight in number, the creditors
OF the city gained everything they asked for,
and we have the cheering intelligence that
there are more coming. Occasionally, when
the Department of Finance is tardy in cashing
those bills, levy is made on the poor old
Governors, whose counterfeit presentments in
oil adorn the City Hall, or, perhaps, fire en-
CINE or two is nabbed 1t is childish, dis
graceful way Of doing business on the part Of
the officials Of great city, when such humil-
iations become necessary for people to get the
money due TO them. Il may be called econ
omy IN the Comptroller's Office. but common
sense will call it ridiculow folly
Year: 1873

EXPENSIVE PLEAsURE.-It is published that
ship is fitting out at Baltimore for voyage
to Cuba with military supplies and stores for
the insurgents; and as the authorities are
thus notified it is to be hoped they will take
care that there shall be in this case no viola
ton of our laws in. the sailing of the ship,
and also inform themselves thoroughly of the
character of her papers, SO that there may be
no doubt of her nationality if she should
happen to displease the Spaniards in voyage
not contrary to the laws. One voyage to Cuba
has just cost this country five millions Of
dollars in naval preparations, not to mention
other heavy items; and our government in
cowardly semi-surrender of its rights had the
apparent justification of some uncertainty in
the ships character. We hope that will not
occur again, and that if another ship is taken
and five millions more must be spent, we
shall at least have the case SO clear that we
will be compelled to corpe up to our duties as
a people, and SO either get rid OF the Span
iards or get rid of Fish. Five millions would
be well spent in producing either result.
Year: 1873

The NAVAL APPROPRIATION of five millioh
dollars asked for by Secretary Robeson for the
good work he has done in placing our war
vessels in yseaworthy condition has at length
been granted by Congress. There was deal
of talk and grumbling, after four millions had
been agreed upon, to get the extra million;
but yesterday reluctant assent was given.
1t must have been bitter dose for those
Western legislators whose only ideas of naval
power seem to be founded upon stern wheelers
and aatboats. 1t Is gratifying to find that we
are 70 have red navy after ell
Year: 1873




At meeting of the Union League of
America, at Philadelphia, the other evening,
it was resolved, in behalf Of liberty and JUS
tice, that 1--WE claim to enter our protest
against the cruelties exercised by the Spanish
authorities in the island Of Cuba towards
portion of its free-born citizens, and more
particularly towards that class OF the human
race still kept in bondage, and we are satisfied
that no permanent peace can come to the
island until the bonds of slavery are stricken
from their limbs, and that, in view of these
facts, we urge upon our present Congress the
duty of according belligerent rights to those
who are struggling for liberty in the island"
This proposition is before the House Commit
tee on Foreign Affairs, but, from present indi-
cations, there will be no report upon the sub
ject for months to come. Meantime if some
member of the House would submit resolu-
ton as expressive of the sentiment of the
body that the barbarous atrocities which have
marked and still mark the war of the Spanish
authorities, regular soldiers and volunteers
against the insurgents of the island Of Cuba
are disgraceful to civilized nation, and that
the House is constrained, from the claims of
justice and humanity, to protest against the
continuance Of these atrocities, we think there
would be response which would be heard at
Madrid.
Year: 1873

| The New York Harbor DISTINCTIONS.
| Public attention has been called to the rap
idly increasing distractions in our harbor by


the grounding of the steamship Greece. We


hope the subject will receive that prompt at


tention from Congress which its Importance


demands. Whatever tends to interrupt the
trade of New York necessarily deranges the
commerce of large sections of the States. The
obstructing of our harbor is, therefore, not
merely question affecting the well-being of
this city, but one that touches the interests of
the country. Nearly two-thirds of the import
revenue are collected at New York. and this
fact shows how much the country is interested
in the commercial prosperity Of our city.


With these considerations before them our
Legislators cannot refuse to pass such laws as
will diminish or remove the danger of our
port being closed by accumulations of refuse
in the channels.


While we must look chiefly to Congress to
ward off the threatened danger much may be
done by strict enforcement Of existing laws
and the exercise Of greater vigilance over sus-
pected offenders. So far the evidence points
to two causes as tending to block up the chan
nels and so render the harbor impracticable
for ships of large tonnage. The emptying Of
ashes from steamships, which is gradually
filling up the channels and decreasing the
width of the rivers, is interfering with the
wash of the tide. These two causes combined
are now menacing to close our harbor.
Proper vigilance on the part of the authori-
ties could diminish sensibly the ashes
nuisance, though to enable the harbor author
tiles to deal effectively with the transgressors
the present law would require considerable
modification. The fine for throwing ashes
law in case of conviction amounts only to the
insignificant sum of fifty dollars. Looking at
the difficulty of detection and the wealth of
the corporations which are the chief sinners,
this fine is simply ridiculous. It has no de-
terrent effect, and is therefore dead letter.
Now we require that this condition OF the law
shall be changed and the guilty parties be rem
dered liable to fine and imprisonment for con-
travention of the harbor laws on this ques-
ton of obstruction. The punishment should
be Of nature to make men unwilling to run
the risk of breaking the law, and in cases of
old offenders there ought to be used the
utmost severity. 1t will scarcely be credited
that in parts the depth of the harbor has been
decreased some twenty-three feet, owing
chiefly to steamships emptying their ashes in
the channel contrary to the regulations es-
tablished by law. If this evil be not reme-
died it is calculated by competent authorities
that in five years ships Of large burden will
not be able to enter our harbor. This is
matter requiring immediate attention at the
hands of our representatives in Congress, and
we hope they will see to it without delay.
Year: 1873

WASHINGTON, Aprii 2s.-The Commits
sioner of Internal Revenue has just caused to
be issued handbills notifying persons who
carry on business under the stamp-taX
license that they muStapply for such licenses,
aud pat them iw some conspicuous place in
their places Of business without further
notice


The Post-Ofiice Department is constantly
be>ieged with letters from all parts of the
country complaining that printed matter for
warded by them has been subjected to letter.
postage. Officials ut the Post Office Depart
ment state that it appears to be impossible to
make the general public understand that
under n law as far back a. 1925 printed
matter inclosed in 4 wrapper, and contain
ing writing therein besides the address, i
subject to lettcr-postage, and also where the
package of printed matter is SO sealed as to
prevent an examination OF the contents.


1t is stated that the next meeting OF the
Civil Service Advisory Board will take place
upon call 10y the President. tie had
directed the Board to consider the subject of
extending the examinations in the large
cities, but it was not perfected because OF
the resignation of George William Curtis.
Year: 1873

HoLLywooD MEMORIAL DAY occiirs anru-
ally on the third "Wednesday in May. This
wear it will fall on the 2lst. Considering the
late season and the consequent scarcity OF
flowers it is very fortunate it comes so late
I'm tho month
Year: 1873

They have just received fresh supply of those
beautiful patent Toilet Mirrors mt the DOLLAR
STOKE, corner Ninth and Main streets, which they
are selling at the exceedingly low price OF one dol
Year: 1873

Last week, at the commencement Of the
University of Michigan, one Of the law
professors, Charles A. Kent, Esq, deliver
ed to a graduating class some observations
upon the practice Of the law, which have
general importance and application They
relate to the license taken by some un-
worthy members of the bar, in the defense
of criminals This license has been pushed
so far that the public begins to understand
the title Criminal Lawyer" as meaning
lawyer who is the accomplce or abetter of
criminals in their depredations on the
public. Professor Kent says:


Some theories Of the duties of an adyo-
cate, which, If not openly defended, are
yet sometimes followed in practice BY law.
yers of eminence, are doing much to bring
the whole profession under just public con-
demnation. The true theory of the duty
of an advocate, viz That he is bound, as
are the judge and jury, to give client,
however unworthy may be his case, the
benefit Of every legal right, is one hard
for the general public to appreciate. But
when this theory is construed to mean
that lawyer may do everything for his
client that can be done without involving
himself in legal penalties; when he is ex-
cused for availing himself Of the services
Of those whom he knows to be violating
the law in the aid they afford, when he is
allowed to use every ingenuity to shut out
from the jury every man fit to be jury
man, and to obtain a jury capable Of being
influenced by the lowest motives; when he
is thought excusable for winking at, if not
encouraging perjury in his own witnesses;
when he is allowed to seek to break down
the testimony Of the most truthful witness
es on the other side by brow-beating, by
cunning tricks, or by unfounded insinua-
tions; when all these things are done in
defense Of the worst causes and the most
notorious criminals, then indeed the indig-
nation and contempt Of all honest men
ought to be excited, Men who do such
things, under whatever name Of duty to
clients, are the enemies Of society. How.
ever able and brilliant they may be, they
ought to receive public reprobation. Es.
pecially they ought to be openly condemn
ed by all honest lawyers. Otherwise the
whole bar is judged by their standards nd
condemned by the moral sense of the com.
munity. The causes which lead lawyers
to extrayagant theories Of duties to clients
in conflict with the public interest and
with justice, are very strong. The repu-
tation Of an advocate is made by his sue
cess. The means Of success are scrutiniz-
ed by tut few. Clients who have cases
which can be carried only by unworthy
acts are willing to pay for success literally.
Murderers viii not higgle about the fees Of
lawyer whose skill enables them to defy
justice. These influences can be success.
fully resisted only by the development and
maintenance of healthy moral sentiment
in the profession, which shall bring dis
grace upon every one who defiles himself
with practices unworthy Of it.
Year: 1873

stood near him thought that he would fall
to the deck. But he did not, and stood
motionless while the rescued ones were as
sisted over the side near where he stood.


Once upon the deck, the eyes Of the
woman fell upon his face For moment
she stood as in dream, and then with a
wild cry, she sprang towards him.


40, Charles, my husbandp y she cried.


"My God! The sea has given up its
deadf'' cried the captain and the next
moment he had clasped mother and child
in warm embrace.


There was great rejoicing on board Che
Victory that day. From the highest to
the lowest, all partook of it, for Charles
Granger declared that it should be holi-
day, and as little work done in it as possible
As for himself, every day thereafter was
one of thanksgiving to him.
Year: 1873

The BRIGHT SIDE.-Look on the bright
side. 1t is the right side. The times may
be hard, but it will make them no easier
to wear gloomy, sad countenance. 1t is
the sunshine, and not the cloud, that
makes the flower. The sky is blue ten
times where it is black once. You have
troubles-so have others. None are free
from them, Trouble gives sinew and tone
to life-fortitude and courage to life. That
would be dull sea and the sailor would
never get skill, where there was nothing
to disturb the surface of the ocean. What
though things look little dark ? The
lane will turn, and night will end in broad
day. There is more virtue in one sun.
beam than in whole hemisphere of clouds
and gloom.
Year: 1873

This phenomena is supposed to be due
to the passage of electric currents through
the higher regions of the atmosphere-the
different colors manifested being produced
by the passage of the electricity through
air of different densities. In the northern
hemisphere ii appears always in the North
but in the southern hemisphere it appears
in the South; it seems to originate at or
near the poles of the earth, and conse-
quently it is seen in greatest perfection
within the arctic and antarctic circles.


The aurora is not local phenomenon ;
it is seen simultaneously at places widely
remote from each other, as in Europe and
America.


The general hight Of the aurora is sup
posed to be between one and two hundred
miles above the surface of the earth but
it sometimes appears within the regions of
the clouds.


Auroras occur more frequently in the
winter than in summer, and are seen only
at night. They affect, in peculiar man
ner the magnetic needle and the electric
telegraph, and as the disturbances occa-
stoned in the instruments are noticed by
day as well as BY night, there can be no
doubt Of the occurrence of the aurora at all
hours, the. intense light of the sun render
ing ii invisible by day.


II has often been asserted, and on good
authority, that sounds have been heard
attending the phenomenon of the aurora,
like the rustling of silk or the cracking of
fire. There is a difference of opinion ON
this point


Auroras seem subject to variation in
their appearance, extending through
circle of years. From 1905 to 1852 the
northern lights became more frequent !;
but after that, for a period, they were
rarely seen. Since 1920 they have been
quite frequent and brilliant. - Wells Nat
urdi Philosophy.