smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873

Lately there has been very considers ble


fall in the premium on gold in New York.
The sudden fluctuations have been due Of


course to speculative corners, but it is curious
to observe nevertheless that in spite of the
German demand for gold, which has dimln-
ished the stock of bullion in America, and


consequently tended to raise its value, there


appear to be some causes at work which al


ways bring back the price to 112 or below.


A gold corner, when the price is run up to


116 from about 112, may be quite as formid-


able matter as when the price was run up


to 1I9 or 100 from about 1f5; and what we


price has exhibited a strong tendency to de-


cline. The explanation can only be that the


appreciation of American greenbacks, which


we described three years ago, and which has


since been retarded or obscured by various


causes, especially by the German demand for


gold. is in reality making steady progress,
and will in the end result in complete equality


unless the German demand should again re-
tard it. We have more than once noticed the


gradual diminution of legal tenders held by
the New York banks, plain sign OF their
scarcity and increasing value; and the natural
res,,lt ought to be the same as forced con-
traction of the currency, viz, an approxlma-
ton to gold value. So long as the legal tend
ers are not increased the natural growth OF
America should bring about this result, and


we ought rather expect tine gold premium to
decline. The demand for Germany is, how
ever. a serious complication, and may perplex
q good deal. as we think it has already per-
plexed the nstural course of events. The
American currency is appreciating, but gold
is also appreciating, and the question from
time TO time is the relative speed of the move
ments. and whether the currency appreciates ]
the fastest If it does so the gold premium
will disappear. although the gold with which
the paper is equalized may itself be much
more valuable in reference to all other articles
than it was at the time when the premium
was at the highest point 7@1Hnai y
Year: 1873

We do not vouch for the truth of the fol-
lowing story, which is told by the Athens


Georgian: ''There is report prevalent upon
our streets that man living near Scull's
Shoals, about twenty miles below this city,
told his wife last Sunday night to awake him
up before odd God Almighty woke on Sun
day. as he wanted to catch mess of fish for
breakfast. His wife, in accordance with his
instructions, called him before day Sunday
morning, and he, taking his fishing tackle,
went to the stream, and, finding tempting
hole, took his seat upon a rock. His wife
waited anxiously for bis arrival but he not


appearing, toward night she summoned some
neighbors, and went in quest of the truant.
Going to the stream, she found the missing
man seated upon rock, and, upon the party
requesting him to get up and accompany them
home, he told them that the Almighty had
sent u judgment upon him, and he had be-
come part of the rock and could not move.
His friends, thinking that he was jesting, took
hold of him and attempted to move him,
when he commenced screaming at the top of
his voice, and asked them for God S sake not
to attempt to lift him up, as it would murder
him. He further Informed them that he had
heen told by an unseen presence that, as
judgment for his profanity and Sabbath
breaking, he would never be severed from
his present seat, but would remain fastened
to it all his days, and that he would be made
to preach his own funeral sermon. They
say he talks quite freely, and is visited by i'm
mense crowds from this and adjoining coun-
ties. Several parties, we learn, from this
place and Winterville, went to see him We'd
nesaay, but have not yet returned.'
Year: 1873

The New York correspondent of the Tol.


edo Blade had narrow escape. He was, SC


to speak, Gin the panic" 1t came within a
hairs breadth of getting into him. He says
l had terrible experience. Awaking Friday
morning rather later than usual, took the
morning paper before dressed. The list of
failures of banks affrighted me. Dressing
hastily, rushed frantically to the street, and
throwing myself into cab directed the driver
to drive furiously, like the driving of Jehu,
the son of Nimshi, to my office. Suppose
my banker should fail! How I blamed my
self for sitting up the night before until
eleven instead of retiring at ten as is my
usual custom. ''Drive," exclaimed. The
driver drove. Minutes were dollars to me.
To get the money out was now the point
The office reached, l hurriedly directed the
bOok-keeper to figure up the account, and
draw check for the entire amount.


Il will sign it" said, land then you 90
Immediately, as fast as your attenuated legs
will carry you, and draw it. Get it in large
bills. will carry it on my person. 1 dislike
to do it, but self-preservation is the first law.
Make haste" How slow he seemed! How l
chafed under the tortoise like movements of
his pencil. Finally he finished. Then rails
ing his head, he gently sighed, ''Our account
is Overdrawn exactly $16.9 93." -


Then came over my agitated soul sweet
and balmy calm. Then did sink back into
a state of absolute repose, and looked out
upon the surging street with feeling of in
difference that was lovely to behold. 1t is an
to have nothing. Blessed are the
poor. But l did consider it my duty to go
to the President of the bank and assure him
of my undiminished confidence in the solv-
ency of the institution, and to say also that
in case of a run, would not join in it. This
seemed to give him new courage
Year: 1873

The following definitions apply to the late
financial unpleasantness: 4.


Partial suspension-That condition of a
bank in which the receiving teller is on duty,
but the paying teller has gone around the cor
ner to "see a man."


Total suspension-That condition of bank
in which both tellers are off duty, but the
president posts notice to the effect that the
concern is solvent-if the assets are good for
anything.


Fas5ure-Both doors are closed, but the
directors hope to open at least one of them
when the receiver gives up the keys.


Certified check-An instrument calling for
money due from bank on demand, which
the bank, instead of paying, indorses as fol-
lows: This to certify that we are all in
the same bOat''
Year: 1873

Mr.. George W. johnson. better known as
Wayne Hovey, editor of Mr.. Bergh's society


paper, is responsible for the following re-


markable story:


Not far from where Stewart mansion now


stands there lived, some years ago, in pretty


little cottage very cheerful old woman. She


labored under what some people called an ex-


traordinary delusion; but to her everything


was real and pleasing and nobody had the


heart to disturb her in her belief. Her name


was Jane Sands, and from what could be


learned of her early history she had been


happily married. On her wedding day, in
fact, while the ceremony was being perform
ed, half grown Newfoundland dog came
into the church and laid down near the altar


An effort was made to drive him from his
position, but without success This circum-
stance, while it was considered singular, ex-
cited but little comment at the time. How
ever. when the bride was taken to her new
home, the dog followed, and finally became
a member of the family. 1t is said that the
rare intelligence of the animal, and his at
tachment to his master and mistress, was re-
markable. Mrs. Sands lived with her hus-
band ten years, when he died. The dog ex-
pired near him and at the same time. The
grief of the wife was intense, and for several
DAYS it was thought she would lose her reason.
One morning about two weeks after her hus-
bands death, she called to see some of her
neighbors, looking as cheerful and happy as
on the day of her marriage. She told them
story, which they only considered an evidence
of mental alteration. She said the spirit of
the dog had appeared to her, and had brought
with him written message from her hus-
band, who was in the summer land She
also said the communication was filled with
the sweetest words of affection, and that the
dog had returned, taking with him her reply.
In this delusion-it may be called such-the
widow lived happily for many years. Every
two weeks the faithful dog made bis appear
ance at her bedside just before dawn with
loving letter from her husband, and patiently
waited for hel answer. Thus dreaming one
quiet summer night she died, happy in her
belief concerning the spirit land, her husband
and his faithful messenger.
Year: 1873

One thing which must strike the traveller
with surprise is the number of magnificent
churches all over Mexico. Ten to twenty
will be passed by the traveller sometimes in
one day, each with its high bell tower of
carved stone and fine dome, with colored
glazed tiles, giving the effect of rich mosaic,


AS often as not the village round the
church was nothing more than a collection
neighborhood having me into the hands of
the priests and produced this great, useless
building, leaving the Indios round sunk one
step lower in poverty, superstition, and ig-
nOrance


In Celaya. there are twelve enormous
churches to 80, 600 inhabitants. and in other
towns the proportion is larger.
Year: 1873

A YOUNG lady in Fond du Lac, while out
walking with her lover, was attacked by a
savage dog, who seized her by the breast
and tore it from her body. The lover
tainted with horror at the sight, but the
young lady, much mortified, went for the
dog with picket, remarking that "that ere
cost dollar and half, and want made fol
no dog to chaw up"
Year: 1873

SOME idea of the California wine and
grape trade may be formed from the facC
thst this year there will be produced there
twelve million gallons of wine, two mill On
pounds of grapes for table use, and two
hundred and fifty thousand pounds OF ras-
ms; besides the brandy of which we have
no statistics. Forty Thousand acres are IT
vineyard, and the area is constantly Inereas'
ing.
Year: 1873

THE subject of impressions at first sight
was being talked over in family circle.
when the mother Of the family said, "l
always form an idea of person on first
sight, and generally find it correct" "Mam
ma" said her youthful son. "Well, my
dear. what is it?'' "I want to know what
your opinion of me was when you first saw
me.n
Year: 1873

TIE vERDIoT.-At tho adjourned meeting Of
the Ooroner's Inquest, held last evening, over
the body of the child found at 1tth street
BRIDGE yesterday morning, the jury returned a
verdict Of death from neglect or violence at th Q
t,,WnE
Year: 1873

The Philaaelphia newspapers have taken up the
question of the purchase Of park in Wilmington.
and, Of course, ere urging the matter as wise, bat
insert .he saving clause, 't the matter can be sat
isiactorily arranged"


Therein lies the difncolty. We are not opposed
to the purchase Of park, and many OF those with
whom we have oonversed on this question now be-
fore our people, place their objections chiefly on
the price exacted fer the land Nor do we under
take to fix value upon the land If it is worth -
much money as is asked for It 70 speculate upon,
loss will accrue to the owners If the city seeks
park elsewhere at q smaller cost per acre II the
city desires to enter the real estate market as .
speculator it would be required to pay sPeculAtOr
prices. But it proposes 10 buy and hold for all
time L; is useless to taik Of the worth in dOllArS
and cents Of property that is never to Be Sold and
that Yields no income other than the pleasure aud
health that it affords II the people OF wilming-
ton desire park, they are able to bay Il, and
should mot be too mean to PuTOhASO good lOCa-
tion with sufficient land to square il up fairly. af
fOrdiug every facility for ample dives and walks;
and also the sale of certain portions adjacent It
does not matter much that park Is Eve minutes
walk furthsr from the city line, As Il cannot Be
secured within the limits All that is necessary Il
that The people shaa resolve 70 purShaSo and not
have tract Of Land forced on thsm at a apries they
may think exorbitant


We have met gentlemen who say the land in
queSiOa Is worth an that is asked for It, and that
it cannot BE had buf len noney. We % NOT ques-
ton this. The owners may hereafter realize large
ly in excess Of their price Wssre not called upou
to qusStie1 Or deny this. We have only hsld thsS
the price was too much per acre for the city to pay
for the Ianh for park. 1t is right that We should
be fairly undsUtoOd in this matter.
Year: 1873

OLD SHOES. Everything tangible
seems to have two or more states of ex-
istence. Now it is quite possible thar
you think. if you look very sharply al
an old shoe when you throw it away,
you will know it again if it ever comes
back to you. But that doesn't follow
at all. One ofthese days you may but
ION your dress with an old pair of slip


pers, comb your hair with boot. or
grasp cast-of gaiter while you eat
your dinner. You don't see how this
can be? Well we'll tell you. Old shoes
are turned to account by manufacturers
in the following manner: They ars
cut into small pieces. and kept for
couple of days in chloride of sulphur.
The effect of this is to make the leather
hard and brittle. Next, the material is
Withdrawn from the action of the chlo-
ride of sulph~r, washed with water and
dried. When thoroughly dry, it is
ground to powder, aud mixed with somo
substance like glue or gum. that causes
it to adhere together. 1t is then pressed
into moulds and shaped into buttons,
combs, knife handles. etc. So you will
see how it may. come TO pass that you
will comb youl hiir with & boot, and
fasten your clothes with slipper.
Year: 1873

II WASN'T HER HUSBAND AFTER ALL.
"A story has gone the rounds of litera-
ry gossip about an attached pair of
names not unknown to fame, who went
to board where people also went, who
were literary and Of good taste. The
lady. thinking that as she and her hus-
band were all in all to each other, it
was as well they should remain SO, de-
sired of the hostess that there might be
no iutroductions to other boarders.
which was observed. Various tender
passages between the amIable pair on
their way to and from the dining-rooIp
edited the fanli ! during the season.
In time Boston man came to board
and ON his way to the basement at din.
ner, going dow late, he heard light
laugh behind him, and figure not SO
light as the laugh, sprang on his shoul
ders and claimed ride down stairs


rhe Boston man took things coolly
carried his burden down stairs into TIC
dining room, and shot her into vacant
seat at the table. The lady looked up
to find her husband already there be-
fore her. and every eye was turned
to watch these extraordinary proceed
ings. There was nothing to be done
but to burst into tears which she did.
Year: 1873

OREGON PoLrr1cs.-Mr. Holiday can
now boast that like John W. Forney, he
has ''two papers. both daily" in his in
terest. In the election now pending in
Portland. The Bulletin represents the
Holiday and Nipple wing of the Re-
publican party, through the Regular
Republican party organization; the
Neus, the new Democratic paper, serves
the same interest much more effectually
by keeping up party organization with
the fag end of the old Democratic, party.
in order to defeat the Peoples ticket"
which is composed of the very best men
Of the two old party organizations (which
can only result to the success of the
Holiday and Nipple party.
Year: 1873

A SUccEss.--The Festival for the ben
eft of The Congregational Church was
a decided success, netting over one hum
dred dollars; to be applied toward the
completion of the new Church editice.
the prettiest and most tasteful Church
building in this city. which has been
built and brought nearly to completion
by the Jealous and persistent efforts Of
a few ladies' of that congregation.
Year: 1873

MARINE ACCIDENT.-The schooner
Mignonette, Captain Bacon, destined for
this city with cargo of coal, was run into
by an unknown Boston schooner last Sun
day night while coming down the Potomac,
carrying away her flying jbboom and bow
spirit. She put in to Norfolk Monday night
for repairs.
Year: 1873

THE CALEDONIA CLUB of Richmond
and Manchester will have grand picnic
at West Point on the Goth instant. The
trip is more for social enjoyment than
anything else. A number of Scottish
games will be introduced on the occasion.
Year: 1873

PUBLIC DoCUMENTs.-SiDce the
abolition of the franking privilege but few
members Of congress use the mails in
transmitting public documents, as they find
that it is cheaper to have them sent by
express. And it is noticeable fact that
they are not SO extensively in the book
and letter business as they used to be.
Year: 1873

SKELETON EXCAvATED.-Abou two
O'Clock to-day some colored men. in digging
an airy around the house, No. COG, former
ly occupied by Mr.. S. P. Hawes, on Leigh
street, between Fifth and Sixth, unearthed
an almost perfect skeleton of human be-
ing, about four feet from the surface. The
skeleton is supposed to be that of female,
as a tuck comb was found in good state
of preservation on the skull. Several
pieces Of the coffin in which it was evi-
IDENTIFY buried were also found. On inquiry
among several old citizens, who were at
tracted to the place, none could throw any
light on the subject as to its being there.
The bones have been collected and laid
aside, we presume for the purpose Of an
investigation into the matter by the coro-
ner
Year: 1873

A DECIDED IMPROVEMENT The en-
'erprising proprietors Of the Laclede
Hotel at this place have had the steps
leading to the balcony in front of their
hotel, which nearly obstructed the side
walk, torn down, and, new ones run
ming directly up in front of the door
placed in their stead. 1t adds also to the
appearance of the building. We went
through the basement rooms and cellars
of this hotel the ether evening, and
found that they were not only admirably
arranged, but that everything was as nca,
us pin. The new dining room on the
second floor is large and handsome, and
has just been newly painted, while the
parlor and guests rooms are as COM
Portable as homo apartments. Travellers
having occasion to visit Troy will be
pleased if they stop at the Laclede.
Year: 1873

The spring term of the Circuit Court
commences on the fifth Monday of the
present month. Those attending court
will find the Laclede Hotel an excellent
place to stop. 1t has been enlarged and
fitted up for the accommodation of as
many as may put up there. Every atten'
zion will DO paid to guests, and their stay
made comfortable.
Year: 1873

FIRE--Last Friday DR.. Bourland' S
house caught fire, and but for the timely
discovery his loss would have been
serious. The rooms were being cleaned
up and re arranged, and large lot of
clothing was piled on chair in one of
the rooms. When discovered these were
on fire and almost burnt to ashes, large
hole was burnt in the carpet, and the side
Of the room was on fire. BY prompt ac-
tion the flames were subdued and the
house saved 1t is supposed that Goa!
of fire had been accidentally dropped
BY some one.
Year: 1873

THIS BAKERY WILL SUPPLY YOU WITH


Light, HcalthlNl Bread.
Cheaper than yoa can mdke ii, ami safe
you the reration of often seeing all your
Yeast and Dough turn ont badly.


The spring and summer season will soon be
here, ana in order to make it profitable to my
customers by furnishing them bread cheaper than
they have heretot,rs been able to get will
sell tickets. each OF which will be good for o ten
cent loaf of bread, at the rate Of IL for 81 thus
giving $3.50 worth Of bread for dollar.
Year: 1873

THE BREWSTER WAGON" A
in all weights, for pleasure driving or speeding,


exQusitely finished,
and embracing in their construction the yarious
ments introduced by during the past making
them


the standard for Quality
throughout the United States.
These wagons exclusiyely the production Of our
wellknown Bro0me street factory, and offered In
stock In oil respects equal In quality TO those built he
order OF the most valued customer and at prices


uniform TO all
In ordersthat we may not be confounded with Joint
stock company OF carriage dealers who have adopted
reputation we have MADE for the sre wser Wagon we
beg the public will remember that our only warerooms
are at the corner of
Fifth avenue and Fourteenth street,


and our only Factory on Broone street


nj HrOo
Year: 1873

The MARRIAGE PCZZLE.-How shall the
right man and woman find each other? One
judge tells me he grants sixty divorces a
mouth. A divorce may be as sacred as q
wedding. A man appears to a woman like a
god-and turns out to be a devil Blame her
not, she must file her letters, and so files her
bill of divorce. The woman appears to a man
like the light of the world, and becomes to him
lifelong despair; he might as we'll have
married bOa-cOnstrictOr! Such cases. to be
sure, are rare exceptions. Young people make
the mistake Of supposing that love at first
sight should be Immediately followed by tho
parson. Why, if had married my first love
L should have been dreadiully taken in | was
called on once to marry blue-eyed girl to
man with a mouth like tiger. l did not like
the job, but could not help it, but when I
asked the mother months afterward, how her
daughter was getting along, learned that he
already had wife in Michigan, and her
daughters heart was broken. When in Eng
land an old peasant told me he would like to
have gone to America, but he had made two
dreadful blunders in life. He was handsome
when youth, and when he was twenty he
married an old woman of sixty because she had
the brass" and farm. He thought she
wouldn't live long, but she lived on to be
ninety! Then when he was sixty he married
a young woman of twenty, and now the farm
and the brass were gone, and he had a
family of young children to provide for. 1t
was bad job, and so sel6shness, as we'll as
haste, lead to misery in matrimony-Lynch-
| burg Republican.
Year: 1873

This sad and serious obituary comes from q
Philadelphia paper, where we cannot suffer it
to bloom unnoticed: Samuel was lovely
And when he breathed the vital air, He often
soothed his parents care" These qualities
distinguish little Samuel-who was l3 months
old-as one of the most astonishing phenomena
of the age. Everybody knows how rufanly
ond overbearing children of that age usually
are what a pleasure to consider Samuel's
mild aspect! Then his talents for frequently
breathing the air and soothing his parents
strange child
Year: 1873

Inc worst shockea man we nave seen ror
covery the other day that the neighbor from
whom he had borrowed a paper for the last
four years had not paid tor it. He learned the
facts from the agent of the publisher, and he
was grieved. He was also indignant He
said to us: 'To think that should have been
so imposed upon at my time of life. tell you
a man don't know who to trust in these times.
The world is full of corruption, deceit and
deviltry."
Year: 1873

AN All to authorize certain postmasters 10 de.


POsit public money in national banks


Be enacted by Senate House Representatives
OF the United States OF America in Congress assembled That
i:Om and after the passage of this act it shall be
lawful for any postmaster having public money be-
longing to the government, where there are no
designated depositaries, treasurers of mints, or
treasurer assistant treasurers Of the United States
within the count, to depust the same, at his own
risk and in his official capacity in an national bank
in the town, city, or county where the said post
master resides; but authority CT permission is or
shall be given for the demand receipt by the
postmaster, or any other person. Of interest, directly
or indirectly, on any deposit made herein des-
cr;bed; and it shall be the duty Of all pOsImasteTs
who have made any sIch deposit TO report quarterly
TO the Postmaster General the name Of the bank
where such deposits nave been nIade and also state
the amount which may stand at the time to theiI
credit.


Approved, March g. 1879,
Year: 1873

The Utica Herald says that men will never
know what effect it would have had on Job il
eleven little girls had called on him, one after
another, and tried to sell him Sunday school
picnic tickets.