smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

One of the most painful of the acci-
dents happening on Independence Day,
occurred to family living on Osborne
street. Two of the young sons had i'm
provised cannon from an old gun bar
rel. The father gave them a pound of
powder, and took lively interest in the
firing. 1t was not an ornamental piece,
but it made a most astonishing noise,
which is of more importance.


"Ram her down tight this time" sug-
gested the exultant father, a little i'm
patient to increase the sound.


But what will the neighbors think I"
mildly protested his wife. you'll jar
their heads off.


Fudge on their heads. This is the
glorious Fourth, and it don't come but
once year. Ram her down, boys, an
make her sing"


They did. They worked like veterans,
and put in a lot of grass, and hammered
away at the wadding like pair of pile
drivers. Then they fixed it for touching
off. The father was sitting on the fence,
waving to and fro, and smiling with all
There was siss, flash, and then dis
charge which seemed to shake the very
center of the earth. At the same instant
the patriotic father left the fence back
ward, and went crashing end over end
into the next lot, his eyes and mouth
driven full of dirt and saEd. The piece
had expl )ded, and portion of the bar
lei, weighing nearly two pounds, flew
across the yard with such force as to
completely rend the seats from two pairs
of new overalls hanging on line, and
then ploughed into the earth just in front
of the owner of the garments, knocking
him over rs stated. When he got on his
feet, and his eyes and senses sufficiently
cleared to learn what had happened, he
unhesitatingly said


"Come, now, there's been enough of
this cussed foolishness for one day.
D0nb1lru NeHs.
Year: 1875

All over the East the umbrella has
been used from remote ages, though at
first mainly as an emblem of royalty.
But for centuries past these useful APP
pendages have afforded shelter to all
classes from the fierce storms and burn
ing sunshine of those fervid climes. In
form and size the ordinary umbrella is
nearly like our own, but the material is
silk, or paper beautifully painted or
glazed, and thus rendered perfectly wa
terproof. Though not very durable,
these umbrellas are light and pretty, and
so very cheap-about twenty cents each
that one does not mind their wearing
out occasionally. They have been made
and used in China, in just the same
style, for fifteen centuries, and in the
neighboring countries for perhaps nearly
as long time.


The state umbrella is quite different
affair-much larger and of the richest
materials. 1t is placed over the royal
couches, thrones, and chairs quite as
generally as carried in the open air.
They are borne by high officers over the
King and other members of the royal
family wherever they go, and umbrella
holders are recognized members of the
royal household both in Burmah and
Siam. One of the numerous titles of
his Majesty of Siam is "Lord of the
White Elephant and Supreme Owner of
the Umbrella that is. of the umbrella
of state, which it would be high treason
to raise over any head but that of the
giver. 1t is of crimson or purple silk,
kyn richly embroidered in precious
stones, lined usually with white
satin, inwrought with silver flow
ers and seed pearls in exquis-
ite clusters, and trimmed with heavy
gold fringe and costly lace. Sometimes,
on great occasions, umbrellas are carried
In tiers OF two, three, and five, one above
the other, diminishing in size toward the
top, and forming a perfect pyramid ;
while from the rim of each umbrella de-
pend scores of tiny gold or silver bells,
which, moved by the passing breeze,
make sweet music, that floats upon the
air like the sounds of an Eolian harp.
In Bur:nah the kings umbrella is white,
and tdat of the court red while in the
royal city, but elsewhere they carry gold
or gilded ones; and always over the
dead bodies of the nobility are placed
gold umbrellas, usually the gift OF the
sovereign. Both in Burmah and siam
there are many state umbrellas, all OF
precisely the same pattern, and one or
more is carried over the kings head on
all occasions, whether sitting or reclin-
ing, riding or walking, at home or
! abroad.
Year: 1875




Washington Cor. New York SUM-


No less a person than Engineer-in-
Chief of the Navy w. w. w. Wood
came hobbling, like wounded soldier,
and with his ankles bandaged, into We'll
ker's this morning in search of break
fast.


"Gout, gout," said L; "too much of
Robesons old Madeira"


"No, no." he replied solemnly. "Rat,
rat I" and he proceeded to tell me of a
desperate combat, lasting nearly an hour,
that he had had with monster rat the
night before. The family being away,
and the rats not getting anything to eat
for some days, had become hungry and
desperate. Mr.. Wood was sleeping alone
in back room, the bed being near a
door. About l o'clock in the morning
he was awakened suddenly by severe
pain in his foot, and heard something
Jump heavily to the floor. A light re-
vealed the fact that deep cash had
been made on the ball of his left foot,
from which the blood was flowing freely.


AS there was no cat in the house, Mr..
Wood at once concluded that it was a
rat, and that it had made its exit. After
washing and bandaging the wound, he
again stretched himself on the bed and
fell into doze. The rat came at him
again, this time making an ugly cash in
the heel of his right foot. After band
aging the second wound, Mr.. Wood went
in search of the rat, resolved to kill him
if possible. But his ratship had eaten
his way into bureau in the front room.
A screw driver was brought into use and
one by one the drawers were opened,
and there in the lower one was found, to
use Mr.. Woods own word, "Mr. Rat
half as big as the water pitcher, and
looking directly at him with pair of the
wickedest eyes. Then he made a des-
perate jump directly in my face" Mr..
Wood had shut the door and the only
thing he had to defend himself was a
small rattan. The rat made desperate
fight with him, more than dozen times
jumping to the top of the bureau, and
thence in Mr.. Woods face and at his
throat. The combat lasted nearly an
hour by the clock, when, finding that
he could neither kill nor wound the in
furiated thing, and that he might get
more seriously injured, he withdrew,
leaving the rat in possession of the field,
and, indeed, the victor.


Wood waited for morning and his
servant man to arrive. In the meantime
the rat went desperately to work gnaw-
ing at the door, in order to again attack
the chief engineer, and had got more
than half way through when she servant
came, and the two entered the room,
armed with stout sticks, to renew the
combat. Removing all the furniture but
he bureau, into which the rat had again
retreated, they drove him out and re-
newed the fight. The infrriated Great
ure fought as desperately as before, now
jumping at the throat of one of his as
sailants, now at the other, inficting ugly
wounds on both and it was not until
after the battle had lasted twenty min
utes that the rat was killed His big
head is now exhibited at the Navy De-
partment as q trophy.
Year: 1875

While at Beloit last week, we met
gentleman who had spent the winter at
different places in the Southwestern
States, in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mis-
sissippi, and who had been impressed by
what he saw and heard there, of the
great importance of the Republican
party maintaining its ascendency in the
nation. and the duty of all true patriots
to rally to the support of its principles
and organization /; we wish we could in
spire the Republicans who meet in con-
vention here tomorrow, with the neces-
sity, as he felt it, for earnest and united
effort to prevent the opposition from
gaining control of the national govern
ment, and the duty of standing firm,
shoulder to shoulder, in the political
conflicts of this year, which are to pre-
cede the Centennial Presidential contest
of 1876.


The gentlemen found the masses of
the white people still reluctant to go to
work ut any manual labor, lest they
should degrade themselves, and waiting
for something to turn up. They had
been greatly encouraged by the Demo
cratic victories of last fall. and were ex-
pecting an entire change of the admin
istration of national affairs by the next
Presidential election. With this they
looked for the good time coming and the
return of prosperity not, however, by
the development of the resources and
industries of the South, but by largesses
from the National Treasury which would
replenish their empty pockets. They
expected as q result of Democratic
ascendency, payment, at least in part,
for their slaves and for their losses by
the war, the pension of Confederate the
same as Union soldiers, and other com
pensations for the disasters of their
fruitless attempts at secession.


This is an era of fractional feeling,
when men are willing to do much and
forget great deal, to restore harmony
and fellowship among the people of our
common country but we do not believe
the people of the North, who have shown
such magnanimity since the war, are
quite ready to impoverish themselves
with burdensome taxes, to enrich those
who brought ruin on themselves by their
attempt to destroy the Union. The
only sure way to prevent it is to keep
the government in Republican hands,
Wisconsin State Journal.
Year: 1875

u We have have received long printed no.
tice of the National Protestant of New YORK, with
request to publish it as editorial matter, in
consideration of an exchange. We are not such
great sticker in this business of inserting mott
ces and prospectuses as some of the papers are
Ont IN this ease, there is barrier. which is the
iact that it is stated that the paper will be uu-
der the editorial management of D. NJ. Gazlay,
formerly editor of Ga-lays Pacific Monthly. Gaz-
lay is a fraud; and he, with his Pacific MoHfkly,
assisted in cutting our eye-teeth in the matter
of advertising swindles and dead-beats. We
have done our share of gratuitous advertising
for him, and We don't want his papcr.
Year: 1875

H When the editor of the Watervile Tsle-
graph, in his rage because we have prodded him


too hard, talks about our bleeding the County on
printing, we wonder if he knows what slap in
the face he is giving his pet and imitator, of the
Reporterf The Reporters bills for County print
ing, in the past year, have amounted to four
times as much as ours and he charged at the
same rates we did-the prices fixed by law.
Don't besmear your friends, in throwing mud at
Year: 1875

~ The Reporter says weshould write a letter.
under the alias Of C. S. Cobb, and try to find out
what the Peoples party are going to do next
year There is doubtless a ine point in this, but
we nave not got magnifing glass sufficiently
powerful to detect it. But as, for all practical
purposes the editor of the Reporter will serve as
wen as a cob, perhaps he can give n, the inform
alton.
Year: 1875

JANAUsCHEK enjoyed an uDusUSl
tribute last nighs from the people of
Memphis. The theater was crowded,
notwithstanding the dank and dirty
weather which almost forbade the ven-
turing forth from warm firesides Of those
who could not afford carriages. The
audience, like that Of the first night,
was a representative one, Euch as always
characterises Memphis whenever there
is a true artist upon the stage. To say
that all present left the theater delight
ed and with a memory Of two Of Dick
ens's greatest creations that can never
fade, is but TO express what wss plainly
written upon every countenance- The
renowned actress, too, felt the inspiration
OF so intelligent an audience, and played,
II possible, with mole than her usual
power. She appears tonight as MARY,
Queen OF Scots,n q character with
which sine identifies herself more thor
oughly than any otler she plays. She
regards it from the religious standpoint,
and covers it with a glamor that will
please the thousands who think Of the
unfortunate queen as one TO be viewed
through the haze OF time, but who does
not improve on a closer acquaintance.
Year: 1875

THE second day of the fifth week of
the Beecher-Tilton trial opened yester-
day morning with as crowded a court
room as ever. Mrs. Tilton and her fe-
male friends were early in attendance.
After the formal opening Of court, Mr..
1ilton took the witness chair and re-
sumed his evidence, which he delivered
without baking OF wincing, although
occasionally interrupted by questions
from the lawyers FOR Beecher. All the
parties TO this filthy suit have become
50 used to its disgusting details as to be
able to listen TO the recital Of them
without so much as flutter of shame.
50 far by general consent of press and
public, Tilton is the upper dog in the
firsht
Year: 1875

WE make no apology for present.
ing, as we do this morning, an
other and final accumulation of
opinions OF the press upon the elec-
ton OF Andrew johnson to the re-
spous.ble position Of United States
senator. No event in political life has,
since the last presidential election, made
80 large draft upon the public mind,
and few at any time in the his
tory Of the Union have commanded
50 generally favorable sn express
sion from the public press and public
men. The APPEAL has never been and
never will be characterized by the lit
tleness that would carp and quarrel af-
ter defeat-uot that we range ourselves
with those W ho consider themselves de-
ieated by Mr. JOhnson's election. While
we did not urge or oppose him, and
maintained a strict neutrality between
him aud those opposed TO him in the
conflict, We would, perhaps, have pre-
ferred the election Of one or other
OF the gentlemen who so much
more signally certified their devO-
ton to the party whose sue
cess in the State and the L Mon at large
we have always labored for. We have
no repinings. On the contrary, and
especially IN view Of the favorable ver-
dict Of the press in and ont of the State,


we submit to the voice OF the people,
bouing tina. 1Ir. johnson will labor with
the party for the best interests OF the
country, and that his election may con-
duce to the preservation OF Democratic
integrity in Tennessee. If it does not,
IL he shall attempt to bend the party to
his will, OF interfere rs a bar
rier 10 It's success, the action
OF the legislature last Tues
day Will be the greatest misfortune We
have ever experienced. 1t was to pre-
vent such d catastrophe that many Of
our senators and representatives. voted
for him. We are all bat coz
hdent they VII not be disap-
poiuted. o. his usefulness in con-
o,ress we have never had q doubt. and as
little thst just now ne will make HIM
self felt as at uncompromising oppo-
ueut Of Grsntism, which is another
name for everything that is low, vile
and Objectionable in politics.
Year: 1875

THE EVENING STAR appeared last Mon
day in a new dress, and looks clear and brill
liant therein. The wide circulation endowed
by our contemporary calls frequently for
new type for this successful newspaper
GeergeosCn Courier.
Year: 1875

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. is q man forty-
eight years OF age, and in appearance is one
OF the finest, whole-souled looking fellows
You would care TO meet in a days Journey.
bis lace is round and full of character lines
Ills features are very regular and luxuri-
ant gray mustache gives him a very disfin0u 4,
appearance. He is always neatly dressed
and Is one of the most popular men in Con
gress among his associates. He is a man O
German parentage, born and reared i'm New
York, where he has followed the profession of
lawyer. He claims that as he was NOT a
member of this Congress that passed the sub
sldy for the Pacific mail that this Congress ;
cannot of right ask him any question
ABOUT his receiving any of the money He
claims mat this pertained entirely to his pri
Nate business, as a matter wholly witLou
the province OF the committee


Schumacher has risen in the esteem q
nearly every one since ii has become known
that he has made so much out of it, He has
always had the reputation of a good fellow
a falr lawyer, lover of good eating but no
one suspected him of such great diplomatic
abilities as to be able to make a large for
tune with the sole capital of his wits


AS one prominent New York correspond-
enl said this morning, with tears in his ewes
"Why, d-n IL, look at John Schumacher. a
man with whom used to walk down Town
every day during that winter he was here
working for that subsidy. There was that
man. with pocket stuffed with 81 600 bills
and yet he never even asked me to take a
drink Cr.," Putsoa1y Leader.
Year: 1875

For THE BENEFIT OF INMATES OF IN
SANE AsYLUMs.-The House Postal Com
mittee has agreed TO report bill directing
the Postmaster General, whenever requested
by any state, to place post office box in any
insane asylum in said state into which the
inmates may drop their letters, said boxes
not To be under the control or surveillance OF
any OF the officers of the asylum. A strong
appeal was made TO the committee In behalf
OF this measure, and facts were shown that
under arrangements now existing, the
inmates OF insane asylums have no means
OF communication with the outside world
II was also shown that there are a large
number OF persons in the various asylums
of the country that are not absolutely
insane, and are kept there only because
they have No means of communicating
with their friends. A lady named Mrs.
Baker, OF Chicago, stated tnat she had
been kept In asylum for a long
time, when could she have communicated
with her friends she would have been re-
leased. She also stated that there are a large
number of people in the various asylums
who are claimed To be insane on account of
certain religious beliefs, but whose sanity
could not for moment be doubted.
Year: 1875

Not a hearthstone shall you find on
which some shadow has not fallen, or
about to fall. Further than this, you
will probably find that there are few
households which do not cherish some
sorrow not known to the world; who
have not some trial which is their pecu-
liar messenger, and which they do not
talk about, except among themselves
some hope that has been blast. d; some
expectation dashed down some wrong,
real or supposed, which some member
of the household has suffered 'remb'
ling anxieties lest that other member
will net succeed trials from the psou'
liar temperament OF somebody in The
honse, or some environment tha'
touches it sharply from without sons
thorn in the flesh some physical dlsa'
bility that eripples cur energies wher
we want to lse them the most; somt
spot in The house where death has left
his track, or painful listen,ngs to heal
his stealthy footsteps coming on.-Dr
Sears.
Year: 1875

Mr.. HALE, OF New York, who has not
been able to attend the sittings OF the
house for the past four weeks on
account of illness, has written Mr..
Crittenden, of Missouri, expressing bis
regret that his illness had prevented
him from taking any part in correcting
the injustice which was done to Brown,
of Kentucky, in the resolution of cen.
sure moved by himself and adopted by
the house in the earlier part of the ses'
sion. He repeats his conviction that so
far as the resolution imputed to Brown
any intention of prevarication or double
dealing in his response to the speaker,
himself and n majority of the house
had been misled, and had dono injus'
tice to- Brown. He adds: "a careful
examination of the record since, quail
flying it by my own distinct recollection,
satisfies me that did wrong to Brown
in i'm moutiDg this intent to him. and that
there was nothing in his response to the
speaker inconsistent with good faith or
integrity of an upright and honorable
man. I.shall never hesitate to express
freely the conviction that I have above
expressed to you, and il anything con-
tanned in this le,tor within your iudg-
ment be of service to Mr.. Brown, I beg
you to consider the letter entirely at
your service, for any use whatever that
you or other friends of Mr.. Brown may
think proper to make OF it,"
Year: 1875

When girl crops her front hair
and pulls it down over her forehead like
a Mexican Mustang, and then ties n
piece of red velvet round her neck, who
can wonder at the number of palc-faced
young men that ihhiow away their an
biiion and pass /sleepless nights IN try,
ing to raise dSSn on their upper lips ?
Year: 1875

The Chicago Tribune would not be
surprised if the first test case on the
constitutionality OF the civil rights bill
should come from the north, assigning
as it's reason that while tae number OF
people in the north who now deny any
Of tho political rights of the negro is
very small; the number of those who
entertain social prejudices is still very
large. The practice of excluding me-
groeS from the public dinipg-rooms Of
first-class hotels and the choice seats in
first-class theatres and operas is 40 gen.
eral in the north as in tho south, and u
test case is as likely to 80 to the supreme
court on one OF those points from
Chicago, Boston or New York, as it is
from New Orleans, Louisville or Rich
mond.
Year: 1875

THE Pennsylvania legislature hes
almost unanimously passed Law, i'm.
posing a fine OF $4,000 and fifteen
years Imprisonment on each and ever,
person who shall continue to conceal
Charlie Ross. This is not ca post facto,
as further concealment aud not that of
the past, is punishable under it. A
special clause is added which will ope-
rate to free tho original kidnsppers or
present holders Of the child, if they re-
store him within thirty days from the
passage of the act.
Year: 1875

The country papers have become so ready to insert any advertisement re ceived from medical quacks, lottery frauds, and other bilks, that even the more respectable city journals have begun to send out advertisements and editorials for country use, accompanied by the most cheeky" requests. We have more than once referred to the fact that country journals are in the habit of inserting city advertisements at from one-fourth 10 one-tenth the rates charged their home customers. If we would practice such a course, we could fill paper as large as the New York Herald, but we have one price for all according to space and place occupied, and therefore keep our paper of mode rate size and free of the advertisements of all professional bilks and of nearly all notices of every kind coming from large cities.

 Emboldened by seeing how ready country journals publish nearly every thing sent to them without regard to quality of matter or price, Frank Les lie is just out with the most cheeky proposition we have noticed in long time. Ordinarily, these impudent de mands from cities are cast aside with out reading. but coming as this does from a prosperous and widely known publisher, we gave it attention, and are amazed at the estimate MT Leslie has come to place upon the accommodating character of country publishers, to say nothing of the injustice he must think they practice on their local patrons. He offers to send his weekly Illustrated paper one year for advertising that we would not do for a penny less than S5C cash. and yet his paper is retailed al four dollars per annum- But as euI country exchanges come 10 hand, we shall doubtless observe Leslie's adver tisemeRts and local notices running for the six months requested The fiber ality displayed by country journals to city bilks and cheeky customers, Is in strange contrast with their exactions from their home customers and constant supporters.