smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873

There has always been a spirited COM
petition for the proud eminence of the
meanest man in the world, and no de-
cision has ever been reached. When
enc aspirant has made a noble effort
that seemed to command the palm of
victory, another would enter the lists,
and wither his 1aurels by transcending
achievement. But until the Times has
further returns, it will champion the
pretensions of man residing at New
buryport, Mass A short time ago this
mans father, an estimable old gentle
man of 80 years, went to visit him. The
old gentleman took with him small
dog, which had been his pet and COM
panion in his declining years. The son
objected to this dog because it cost him
nearly a cent day to feed during his
fathers visit. Thereupon the noble and
affectionate son went to the authorities
and made complaint against his father
for that he had an unlicensed dog. The
old man was arrested and fined $50
and having no money, he was taken to
Jail, where he remained at the last &C
counts, while the son goes proudly on
the even tenor of his way.


LATER-And now, as if to confirm the
proposition with which this topic com
menced, the Times finds competitor
Tor the honor which 1t mad all Du1
awarded to the Newburyport man. The
hero in this case is an Iowa farmer
whose infant daughter was attacked by
snake. A woman who was present
seized a spade and killed the reptile
In doing SO she broke the handle of the
spade, which belonged to the father
And that noble-spirited man made the
poor woman pay the price of the broker
implement. So the Times will nevel
again attempt to decide who is tn,
meanest man in the world. Chicag,


Times.
Year: 1873




This bridge is mervel of engineer
ing and mechanical folly and prohigacy.
It has cost millions of dollars more than
it need, and has been three times as
long in building as it ought or need to
have been. It is built of huge steel
tubes, each of which is about fifteen
feet long and sixteen inches in diameter.
These tubes are made of steel slaves,
somewhat like a barrel, six of which
form the tube, being bound together
with steel hoop, solid the full length.
Each tube weighs about two tons. The
bridge consists of three double-track
spans across the river, which are sup
ported by two piers in the center of the
stream. The foot of the arch springs
only thirty-fve feet from the center of
the river at low water, and the crown is
only seventy feet above low water. As
the variations of the stream are upward
of forty feet, it is certain that very few
boats will ever pass under it at any
stage of water.


But a portion of one of the spans is
compile ed, and it hangs low-browed and
sullen, vast mass of metal, apparently
getting ready to drop to the bottom of
the river. The weight in this span is
truly enormous, aud the conundrum
with engineers is whether the piers can
support the thrust of all this mountain
of steel as it expands and contracts with
the variations of temperature. The en-
gineers on the work pretend to be very
positive that the crown of the arch will
rise or fall as it gets hot or cold but
others are equally positive that the
mass of metal is entirely too great for
this to be done, and that the force of
the thrust must come against the piers,
which sooner or later will give way under
such an enormous flank or lateral pres
sure The extreme difference of length
of each of these spans, from the frosts
of winter to summer heats, is estimated
to be about eight minutes.


When the first span was ready to be
completed, the length of the tubes had
been computed at temperature of SO
degrees, and one morning last month
(September), the weather was just
right to insert the last length. Be.
fore the workmen gathered it had got
too warm, so the tube was too long, and
could not be pounded or forced in al
all A few days after, forty-fve tons oi
ice was tied on the arch, in gunny-sacks
and the span was at last contracted two
inches and a quarter, enough to admit
the last length.


The work is now progressing on al
the spans, and their completion Ii
named as occurring in January.
Year: 1873

DoN'r Count THE STEPs.-It is, per-
haps, well for sthat we do not count
up in early life the number of steps,
many of them weary ones, we shall have
to take in treading the long road that
reaches from the cradle to the grave. 1t
is we'll for the young housewife that she
does not estimate the number of million
of dishes she will be required to wash
during period of housekeeping forty
years long in each of which years the
table must be cleared and the dishes
washed over thousand times. 1t is
well that the poor seamstress does not
calculate the number of miles of &C seam
and gusset and band, band and gusset
and seam" her tired fingers must form,
till the lamp of life, like the table lamp,
gives out. It is wise and well, that she,
who sits from one year to another in the
same little room, does not realize thather
hand moves, in forming stitches, more
miles than a steamship travels in cross
ing the Atlantic.
Year: 1873

be chained to tree by the neck, and
Sam was to fight him one hour with his
naked fists. Sam again wentinto train
ing, with Jim Peyton for his trainer,
and long before the day of the fight
Peyton reported that his pupil was in
splendid condition, and would as soon
fight as go a-fshing.''


The day came, and with it great
crowd. The bets were three to one on
Sam, and many really believed he
would whip the bear. Poor Bruin-a
great shaggy-coated fellow-was tied to
stake by a chain twelve feet long, and
was as good-tempered as he could be,
standing on his hind legs, and scamper-
ing about with delight at the sight of so
many people. Perhaps there was as
little of the real beast in Bruin as there
was in many of the two-legged animals
who came to see him fight. The keepers
of the bear began teasing and poking
him with sharp poles and irons, and
although he took it quite coolly at first,
he after while growled fercely and
tugged at his chain. Sam now appeared
with his keeper, Peyton, and was re-
ceived with loud cheers by the human
animals who wished to see a man and a
beast fight.


Stepping into the ring Sam appeared
for battle, stripping off all his clothing,
except his boots, pants and drawers. His
broad chest contrasted strangely with
the shaggy coat of the beast, as the two
combatants stood glaring at each other.
The intelligent animal seemed to under
stand the situation in a moment, and,
raising on his legs, walked toward Sam,
who tried to hit him, between the eyes,
hoping to break his skull but, failing
in this, he stepped to one side, and Civ
ing the bear a powerful blow, knocked
him down. Cheer after cheer greeted
Sam as he stepped from the ring, and
the men who had bet on the bear really
began to fear they would lose their
money. Five minutes we're allowed be-
tween the rounds, and the baiters poked
the beast vigorously all the time, SO
that when Sam came up again he was in
towering passion.


The moment Sam crossed the ring the
bear recognized him and bounded the
full length of the chain, So great was
the rage of the beast that the people
pale. Again the bear leaped forward,
and taking his chain in his paws at
tempted to break it. For time it re-
sisted all his efforts, but tatlength snapped
in twain, and the affrighted people
fed terror-stricken from the plain.


The bear dashed upon Sam, who
bravely stood his ground, and actually
succeeded in telling the bear to the
earth, but in doing SO he lost his bal
ance, and before he could escape the
bear caught him with one claw, and hit
ting him on the face with the other,
broke the poor fellows jaw. Still Sam
fought on with his jaw hangingo on his
breast and blood spirting from dozen
wounds. It was terrible ; but, of course,
the bear won, knocked Sam down finally
and tearing open his chest with his
sharp claws. By this time thepeople had
got guns and returned to the field,
where they fred volley after volley into
poor Bruin until he lay quite still and
Sam was dead too, and they took uI
his body and the carcass of the bear and
buried them both. And thus ende


Bruiser Sam and his grizzly bear fight
which was perhaps the only bear prize
| fight ever fought in the world.
Year: 1873

HOW TO CURE Ir-wHAT DIo LEWIS SAYS.


DR.. Dio Lewis, writing in the Philadelphia
To-Day, says:


Some years ago, famous professor came
to town where we were then residing, and
announced that he could ''cure the worst
cases of suffering in ten minutes, without a
surgical operation A friend Of ours was an
inveterate case, and we advised him to call
upon the wonderful magician. He called,
was convinced by the testimonials exhibited,
struck up bargain, paid the fifty dollars, and
soon came up to our Office, talking as straight
as railroad track.


We were greatly astonished, and asked our
friend by what miracle he had been SO
strangely and suddenly relieved of his life
long trouble. He most provokingly in ormed
us that he had made solemn pledge not to
reveal the process of cure.


We knew two other bad cases-ladies-and
calling upon them, reported what had come
to pass.


They were soon at the professors rooms.
came away greatly elated, raised the hundred
dollars, went the next day, paid the cash,
and in half an hour were ready, had the ques-
tion been popped, to say ''Yes" without
jerk!


We were soon made acquainted with sew
eral other cures quite as remarkable, and re-
solved to put on our sharpest wits and wait
upon the magician ourselves.


He seemed an honest man, and In two DAYS
we had made up our mind to pay him large
fee and learn the strange art, with the privi-
lege of using it to cure whomsoever we
would.


Those who had been been cured by the pro-
fessor were solemnly bound not to reveal the
secret to any one, but our contract gave us
the privilege of using the knowledge as we
pleased.


And now we propose to give the readers of
this Journal simple art which has enabled
us to make very happy many unhappy stam-
mcrers. In our own hands it has often failed
to effect the desired result, but in three
fourths of the cases which we have treated
the cure has been complete.


The sesret is simply this: The stammerer is
made to mark theltime in his speech, just as it
is ordinarily done in singing. Heis at first to
beat on every syllable. 1t is best at the first
lesson to read some simple composition, like
one of Dayid's Psalms, striking the finger on
the knee at every word; then read in a news
paper, beating each syllable.
You can beat time by striking the finger
on the knee, by simply hitting the thumb
against the forefinger or moving the large toe
in the boot.


We doubt if the worst case of suffering
could CONSUME long, provided the sufferer
would read an hour or two every day, with
thorough practice of this simple art, observ-
ing the same in his conversation.
Year: 1873

A California paper coolly gives the follow
ing as morning news item: A party of
young hoodlums on Minna street had con-
siderable sport on Sunday afternoon by run
ming down Chinaman with bull dog. The
victim was severely bitten and his clothing
much damaged.
Year: 1873

Why do we heap hugo mounds Of years
Before us and behind,
And scorn the little days that pass
Like angels on the wind?
Each turning round small, sweet face.
As beautiful as near;
Because 1t is so small face.


We will not see 1t clear.
Year: 1873

A correspondent of the Boston Advertiser
advises passengers to Europe not to apply too
early for state-roons, as recent travellers have
discovered that on certain line those who
applied earliest received the worst rooms, the
plan being to dispose of the worst apartments
first.
Year: 1873

LIZ BAD KNOWN IT LAST YEAR.-This was
the language of a poor cripple, who, fourteen
months ago, was smashed under an iron beam.
He had been allowed to suffer pain and assume
a mass of deformity-but he had now recovered
the use of one knee by the Centaur Liniment'
We hear such language every day. There is
no pain this liniment will not assuage, no
lameness it will not alleviate, and no sweiiins
ii will not suhdue
Year: 1873

A Yale college student lately went through
civil service examination, and after passing
triumphantly, astonished the examiners by
telling them that he did not want any office,
but merely wanted to see what the examina-
ton was like.
Year: 1873

1t WAS highly appropriate that Henry
Ward Beecher should close his adnlira-
bic lecture ,s here on Manhood and
Money with an allusion to the great
danger which threatens the people from
railroad moDopolies. 1t is subject that
the Sentinel has often discoursed upon.
and we are glad that the most eminent
clergyman in America, in his visit to
the principal cities Of the Union, drops
warning word in the ears Of the peo
pie to. put them On their gua,d Mr..
Beecher trembles for the future when he
cuntempiates the enormous power that
Is welded by the three great lines of
railway that have their termiIi in New
York but what will that rover be if
not only these three, but all the corpora
tons in the United States should be
consolidated under one board of dlrcc-
tors, and that board really managed aud
controlled by IN able, aggressive, and
despotic man whose ambition was equal
to his power? With power to elect





judges and legislatures, to suborn wit
nesses and bribe juries, with money to
employ the best legal talent in the mar
ket, and ability to choose or defeat the
Governors of states, who can set limit
to such tyrant's operations, or who can
predict the fatal results that must OYER
take the peoples liberties under the
sway of his iron rod ? People smile and
say that such day is afar off, but ii it
be, it is because they will be admonished
in season to ward off the impending dan
ger by being prepared for it. If it is 10
be averted at all, il must be by that eter-
nal vigilance that is the price of liberty.
-Senttael. llaA i1
Year: 1873

The SECRET CAUsE.-It is surmised by
those who are on intimate terms with Vice.
President Wilson, that his completely in the
Credit Mobilier fraud is the cause of his pres
ent decline in health.
Year: 1873

A recent despatch from Washington states that the Senate had passed the House bill, authorizing the holding of adjourned terms of the Supreme Court of this Territory, which bill, we suppose, is the one introduced during last session of Congress, by delegate Mccormick. If so, it reads as follows:

 Be n enacted by he Senate aud House of Repre- se1tatives of he United Stdtes of America in Congress assembled, That the Supreme Court ot the Territory of Arizona may hold adjourned terms thereof at any time and place in said Ter ritory agreed upon by majority of the judges of said court at any regular term thereof. The order for m adjourned term shall be signed by A majority of the judges thereof at a regular term of said Court and entered upon the minutes of the Court, and any business which such Court might do at any regular term thereof may be done at such adjourned term and the clerk of said Court shall be entitled to such mileage for attendanee at such adjourned term as is by law allowed the marshal of the district of Arizona for his attendance upon the courts of said Territory
Year: 1873

This great American actor fell dead, at Philadelphia, on the morning of December l2th He was without rival on the stage. It is said that most of his property is to be applied to founding home for impoverished actors.
Year: 1873

The proposition to so amend the National Constitution that citirens would vote di. Iectly for President and Vice President, is being agitated, with good show of success. We hope Congress will give the people chance to ratiiy an amendment of this kind
Year: 1873

Among the great discoveries of modern science, few are of

 more real value to mankind than this eff fectual remedy for all diseases of the Throat and Lungs. A vast trial of its virtues, throughout this and other countries, has shown that it does surely and effectually
Year: 1873

When young man is sitting up at night
with young girl, holding her hand to keep iii
warm, and that young girl yawns like the mouth
OF a coal mine, and says she never was 30 sleepy
in her life, then the young man should seize liis
bat and meander home-even il 1t is not much
after one oolock.-B, Dddd.
Year: 1873

desire to call attention to the fact that Ihave on hand a full stock of all varieties of LUMBER called for in this market and am prepared to sell the same at the lowest market price for Cash. My stock comprises
Year: 1873

ScALPEp ALvE.-While Amelia
Grinnel, a young girl. was working last
week in shingle mill in Oshkosh, Wis,
under shaft which was going at the
rate of two hundred revolutions per
minute. her hair, which was very long,
caught in the knuckle joint, aud in an
instant it was torn entirely from her
head. taking with it all the flesh and
muscles OH her head. ''From line,


saws the local paper, drawn around
from each eyebrow, her skull was left
white and bare, without trace OF blood
or flesh. The strangest part of the ac-
cident is that she felt little or no pain,
declaring that when it was being torn
off all that she realized was tickling
sensation in her head. She coolly walk
ed from the room and waited patiently
for buggy to take her home. Her On
" regret was the fright it would give
her mother. The scalp with its beauti-
ful long locks of hair, was curled and
entwined around the shaft at the joint,
and when the mill was stopped It was
taken down, but 10 one had sufficient
presence of mind to place it upon her
head. 1t is nearly perfect, and the doc
tors have determined to tan it with the
hair on, so that if the girl RECEIVERS it
may be used as wig. The case is one
of the most remarkable on record.
Year: 1873

ing him for all the happiness that life
could give. God knows it might have
been that I trusted him too much, and
that l never looked to a higher power
for the happiness that was mine.


The time for our marriage was draw
ing near, land John was coming to make
some last arrangements before taking
me from my old home forever. | was
waiting with all loves impatience tor
the coming of him l almost worshipped,
feeling so strong in our love, and be-
lieving that ''if we loved each other
nothing could harm us"


In those days, even bad news travell-
ed slowly, and twas some time before
we heard of the terrible accident that
happened on the Short-line railroad
over which he passed, though my heart
had almost grown weary with waiting
as the days passed by and John was
still absent. Finally his mother came
to me, with little packet in her hand,
and said, ELLEN, this is all that is left
to tell you how he loved you'-for he
was among lnQSe WHO lldu Sohe Aio'''
an earthly future, with happiness just
before him, to reap glorious reward
on high. Twas long time before l
opened that little bundle, but many,
many days I sat in silence with that for
my sole companion, and my fingers had
almost worn away the words written in
his hand before l found courage to look
at its contents. Just little parcel tied
up with cotton string, and on 1t was
written august llth-My God, |
thank thee that, though l nearly lost
her, she is mine"


When l opened it there lay the stock
ing | had worn the day Of the ride, on
which he told me OF his love, and there
were three darns in it, and close beside
one was a big hole where the broken
bone had come through, and the stains
of blood had been washed away. and
there, girls, shall that stain remani and
be priced, for among the relies OF my
youth and the treasures gathered in ri
per years, the dearest Of them all is that
old ''Darned Stocking"
Year: 1873

BuRNING Cons IL THE Wrsr--A cor
respondent OF the New York Tribune,
writing from Iowa, gives the following
~ the answer OF Il prominent and well
informed gentleman Of that State 10 the
question, 1--WE hear great deal said IN
the East about the farmers III Iowa
burning their corn. Has this been
done 10 any great extent 2


II suppose considerable corn was
burned last winter in sections Of the
State where fuel is not plenty, or where
coal bad to be hauled a considerable dis
tance either from the mine or from tho
railroad a ton Of corn is worth for
fuel about two-thirds or tbrcc-fourths az
much as ton of coal Now, fit takes
a ton of corn 10 buy ton Of coal, tho
only question for the farmer 10 settle is
whether the coal is worth enough more
than the corn to pay for the hauling.
Suppose a farmer lives five miles from
a railroad station where coal is worth
&c ton, and corn will sell for the same
price. Assuming two dollars day as
fair wages for the man and his team, the
corn would be worth on the farm five
dollars a ton, and To get the coal there
would cost seven dollars. But if the
coal is worth only one-thIr1 more than
the corn for fuel, then, if it costs more
than 5000 % n ton OH the farm, it is
cheaper TO burn the corn"
Year: 1873

Too many spend money, and too few
earn it.


Too much money is spent wastetully
and needlessly, and too little saved and
made productive and accumulative.


We buy too much abroad that we
ought to produce at home.


We buy too much that we do not pay
for cash down-too much of what we
buy being what we do not actually need.


I'VE are too wasteful, know too little
how to economize, and have too little
disposition to do so.


We are too speculative, unscrupulous,
and actually dishonest in our efforts to
make money


Too many of us prefer idleness to IN
dustry, and too few of us knoy how to
work and derive pleasure and proht
from our labor


We spend too much time learning
what is not useful, and too little intor-
ming ourselves upon the best methods
of promoting our material prosperity.


I'VE know too much of politics, spend
too much time and money as politicians,
and know too little about political econ
omy and the science of stable, ,econom-
ical, successful public policy.


Our actions are governed too much by
passion, prejudice and partisan feeling,
and not enough by broad, Intelligent,
liberal and patriotic conception of the
duties which American citizenship in
wolves


We are too superficial and impatient,
and lack the clear purpose and persist
ent, patient application necessary to
permanent success.


We depend too much upon our
,.sharpncss" and ''cuteness, and readl-
ness to take advantage of circumstances,
and not enough upon earnest, honest
labor.


We talk and read too much, and think
and act too little.


We spread ourselves over too great "a
surface, and thus fail to dig deep enough
in one place for the nuggets that Will
surely enrich us.


We lack in that higher morality
which frowns down venality, and elevates
and encourages purity Of life, problty OF
conduct, and a scrupulous regard for a
GOOD and honorable name


We do not teach our children that
they must know how to earn their own
living, and are too willing to commit
them 10 life of easy unscrupulousness,
depending on their skill rs make-Shltts
rather than their solid requirements rs
men and women.


We roll about too much like stones
that gather no moss, enriching corpora
tons and specializing capitalists, and
defrauding ourselves of the profits OF
our own industry.


We are devotecs of show rather than
substance, and pay homage TO the gilt
ter of success which is but robe
covering filth, rottenness and corrup
tion-socal, commercial and political.


We build too many churches, and
cultivate the Christian virtues and spirit
too little.


We have too many schools and too
few real teachers


We are too undivided in certain di-
rectons and not enough so in others.


We adhere too closely to what we
ought TO depart from, and refuse totake
hold Of that to which we ought to cling.


In short, we are too much what we
ought not, and not enough what We
ought to be.