smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1870

How tho Village Agitators Rule the Country.


The current October 81 number OF the London
evidently written BY one who has carefully studied
his subject on the spot, on 'Village Politics in
France" The writer presents vivid picture Of the
more lameatabe could scarcely be conceived. The
sChoolmaster OF country town has ITO exc
out mis- Lying BY aotne az clerk :.
10 content himself with ''servlng as bell
ringer, acolyte, church-sweeper TO the priest"
circumstances will be OF high character are GER
tanly not very great "ln parish OF the SOUTH -
the cure certain wooden images bearing the names
OF saints, but whose form shows them to be figures
OF the older gods OF heathenism, which become by
his benediction sovereign charms against certain
bodily ailments" One parish priest disguised with
this superstition, took IL upon himself to burn
these images, but '.he nearly paid for the act with
his life.n Our contemporary is OF opinion that the
peasantry do not think highly enough OF the im-
perial dynasty to expend q sou on It's behalf; but
he points out that the Napoeonic rule has had one
very powerful effect on their minds-it has tanght
them their own political Importance. For twenty
years the government Of the country has depended
Tor It's existence on their vote, not on that OF Paris
and the other large towns. How will they
now regard the resumption OF power by the capi-
tai "a question which it Is all the important
to ask, the peasant has to associate with the
idea of republic the notion OF danger to private
property. There are some considerations to which
our contemporary has perhaps not given sufficient
attention. II Paris were to fail to rise to the present
emergency it would be hopeless to expect that she
could ever recover ner Old authority; but everything
seems to indicate that, If she is given
Of heroic action. and will shrink from
no sacrifice to save the country. II she fulnls
expectation in this respect may she not once more
acquire her ancient hold on the provinces? Another
point worthy or notice Is that large numbers the
peasantry are at the present moment, members OF
the "Garde Mobile,'' engaged In the most stirring
events OF the century TINS Will not be without its
effect upon their Intellectual activity; and when they
return to their old homes may they not carry with
them an influence which viii be source of new life
10 the stagnant rural population:
Year: 1870

The California Companies Discourage any


Further Immigration.


The San Francisco Bulletin Of the 25th instant
Bays:-


The Chinese Six Companies, OF this city, is a COM
binaton which possesses considerable authority
here and in China. Shortly after the arrival of the
last steamer from that country the leading men OF
the association here seeing about 1900 of their
trymen landed called meeting at which circular
was prepared setting forth the reasons why China
men and Chinawomen should cease emigrating to
this country. Copies OF this circular will be posted
in all the principal towns and cities Of the empire
for the information OF all classes.


1t is a long document, but the substance OF it is
that California and the adjoining States not what
they formerly were so far as the facilities for making
money are concerned; that very few Cinnamon can
obtain more than bare subsistence, and that only
the merchants are able TO accumulate riches. The
opinion prevails generally in China that the placer
mines OF this State afford good field for the abors
mines do not pay any longer, as general thing, and
that Chinese miners chance to make
money In them, there is great danger that
driven out OF their mines by thieves ana robbers.
They say their people are not respected, but are
put down to the level OF cattle and horses; they
are in constant danger OF violence and suffer iii
ge in every part OF the State. They say OF the
thrt ats OF riot and bloodshed that they consider
most OF them as idle talk but would not do anything
TO provoke an attempt TO execute them The
condition Of the people is described; tnat thou
sands OF them are without work, can get none and
are destitute OF food and other necessaries
or lne that the merchants have extended
temporary relief TO some, but that all cannot be
aided. For these and other reasons they deprecate
the policy OF sending any more Chinamen here. Oi
the female immigrants they say that the women
who have come here have brought infinite disgrace,
not only on themselves, but on the more respectable
Chinese here: They also are advised TO stay al
home. The chief men OF the Six Companies think
the issuance of the circular will tend TO retard very
much the further influx OF their countrymen into
America; and 1t certainly does not afford a very
attractive picture OF their present condition and
prospects.
Year: 1870

Perhaps the first accident OF the kind, says the
Ross county (Ohiol Register, occurred on Tuesday
afternoon, east OF this place, on the M and Q. Rail-
read. AS we learn it, young man named John
Crown, brakemans on freight train bound West at
the time indicated, went forward to the engine and
took seat in front of the boiler with legs dangling
over the cow-catcher. He had been riding in this
position some time, the train bowling along at
Board that was nailed lengthwise OF the track the
point OF the cow-catcher caught in the end OF the
board and rent on large silver, almost three inches
the front OF the engine caught Crown under the left
thigh, passed entirely through flesh, tendons, etc.
passing on and striking against the head OF the
boiler-thus literally impaling alive the unfortunate
brakeman,
Year: 1870

From the present prospects we may look for a
continuance OF tight times In this country. There
when business men experienced such difficulty in
getting along as they do at present, and the labor
money and other good pay is much more scarce.
There appears TO be general slackness or stagna-
ton in business East, West, North, and South, in
other states and Territories well as this The dull
times are not altogether owing to the scarcity OF
grain and other produce in the country on which to


live for OF these there plenty yet, but rather to
the general inclination which prevails TO take in
sail. circumstances evidently are shaping in such
manner as TO compel to board and clothe our
selves; and instead OF importing everything, raise
something to export, or at least supply our own de-
mand.-Sah Lake NeiDs
Year: 1870

| the mountains, played so strangely and
| the old man laid his hand on it, as if il
gave him something to grasp. At last he
went back to bed.


In the morning, when the bells were
| ringing, the old man went to church with
his hymn book under his arm he did not
take it out of its cover till he was in
church, then looked at the number of the
psalm which was hung up and began to
turn over the leaves slowly with his
moistened finger. But suddenly he cried
out so that every ones in church started
and his exclamation sounded above the
prelude on the organ: "Henry, what
have you done?" There lay the hundred
thaler note of the wanderer, and it was
his ole-property-there il lay between
the leaves. "Henry put it there, and
that's the reason that he said yesterday
Father, when you sing the psalm
tomorrow, think kindly Of me-" The
old man could not join in the first verse,
but with the second he began as if he had
the voice of his youth again.
AS they came out of church, all were
talking of the goodness and faithfulness
of the wanderer to his father. The old
man said not word he only pressed the
hymn-book so firmly under his arm that
it hurt him, but this he scarcely noticed.
Il have the money still. / haven't touch
ed it, and it still lies in the same place
where he put it," So said the old man,
and | had to go to the village with him
and into his little house. There lay the
hymn book on the window sill, wrapped
in white cotton cloth. The old man
took the book out, and to be sure. at the
psalm numbered 1874 lay the hundred
thaler note.


"Why haven't you put it out at inter-
est" asked.


The old man laughed, and replied at
last: "That's what all the people say,
everybody, ones Just as wise as another,
they only think of one thing. But l will
not"


"You have the best interest from the
money, you feed yourself on the good
thought that your son is so excellent" l
answered.


"There, there p cried the old man,
"you are the first person who has under
stood it. You must certainly have enjoy
ed much kindness from people because
you understand so well. You're not
stupid, l saw that directly"


The old man was quite happy to find a
man as shrewd as himself And when
asked him why he left the book lying
there so openly, whether he was not afraid
that some one might break pane of glass
and steal it, as might easily be done, he
answered smiling--and the smile lighted
his withered face wonderfully:


mo one would do that. The people
here about know what is in it, and any Of
them would rather cut off his hand than
steal the book. But do you mean that
those who don't know? People don't
steal hymn-books, this guards it better
than bolts and bars"


The old man went back with me part
of the way to the place where had first
met him. Then we bade each other a
friendly goodbye.


When I was. in the Harz mountains
again last year, I did not find the old man
in his place-he lay under the sod. But
his hymn book with the money is in the
pastors keeping, and in public advertise
ment the son is summoned to receive it,
otherwise both will fall to the nearest re-
lations.
Year: 1870

The Paris Galois of recent date gives
an account of horrible and mysterious
affair in Spain, which it says it would not
believe had not the details been confirmed
by letter from its own correspondent
The story is that on February II a band
of people broke into house at Alcirea
village, in Valencia, by making hole in
the roof. The owner of the house was
M. Baluda, He was in bed with his wife
The invaders pulled them out of bed and
put gags in their mouths, and then they
went to the rooms where six children were
sleeping, whom they bound with cords,
and then in sight of their parents, tore out
their eyes and tongues Afterward they
cut off the feet of M. Baluda and his eld-
est son, named Vincent, but purposely left
tendon near the heel unsevered, and
then they hung them up head downward.
After this they ransacked the larder, made
a good breakfast, jeering at their victims
all the time, and left the house at day
break. Two of the villains had been ar
rested.
Year: 1870

THE Prince of Wales, once when on a
spree in Ireland, bought long close fit
ting cassock or coat of heavy coarse Irish
cloth. He hardly ever wore it, when at
home, but one cold night took it as COM
Portable garment, in which to attend the
theatre. After the play, he was seen with
it on at Whites Club and on the street,
and within week every loyal subject,
who pretended to dress in the fashion" !"
was wearing long, tight coat of coarse
Irish claimants cloth.
Year: 1870

A Boston young man, Catholic, in
tended to be married on the evening of
The lst inst; but at the last moment.
recollected that he had forgotten" to pro-
cure a license. He dashed out of the
house in pursuit of the priced paper, but
it was too late. The office was closed
Lent began the next day, and for forty
days he must pine, as no marriage can be
celebrated in his church during Lent.
Year: 1870

IF brother or sister be naked, and destitute of
daily food, and one of you say unto them
Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filed; not
withstanding ye give them not those things which
are needful to the body; what doth it profit
James IL 1R
Year: 1870

peror In such circumstances win be able to
increase the number Of Senators, but It will
not be possible for him to create more than
twenty annually. Departing from both the
American and English practice, the new
French constitution permits Ministers to be
present at debates In both houses and to claim
hearing when necessary. On the whole, we
cannot refuse to admit that 1t is good enough
constitution-as good as the Emperor could
make out of the materials at his command, and
as good as was compatible with his purposes
and necessities. But we cannot call it
original, and certainly we cannot call 1t
perfect. If it works well we shall not
be sorry. If it does not work well 1t will
be as easy for the Emperor under the new
arrangement as under the old to appeal again
to the people. He seems to, but in reality he
does not, abandon the reins. So long as he
lives he will hold them, and the grip will be
firm.


The situation Is really interesting. France
is i'll at ease. There is much grumbling oil
over and about many things. The trial
of the Emperor's cousin has engendered
q bad spirit. Injustice and foul play are
words in many mouths. 1t is not good
time to 60 to the country and ask
vote of confidence. But France is in the
Emperor's hands as the bird is in the cage.
Every officer Of the army, every chief of every
department down to the mayor Of the humblest
village is his sworn servant. The result Of
the pleJiscite cannot be doubted. The En-
peror win win He cannot but win. But the
times will be lively. We shall await the EN-
peror's proclamation with some impatience.
+ But we look for no serious trouble until the
first general election after liberty has been
restored to the municipalities. We wish the
Emperor all success, but we wish to see
France take her place among free nations.
Year: 1870

THE CHURCH AND THE SPANISH CLERGY
We have the report from Paris that the Court
Of Rome has decided to forbid the clergy of
Spain from taking the oath to support the new
State constitution. If this is true we may
look soon for revolutionary convulsion In
Spain compared with which all her past civil
feuds and insurrectionary troubles will appear
as trifes. The State has the army, but the
Church has a strong foothold among the
people of Spain, and if the Court of Rome
has decided upon a trial Of strength between
these hostile forces, though we may predict
what the end will be, it will hardly be reached
without bloody and terrible struggle.
Year: 1870

MIR. DlLLoN's DECLINATIoN.-In letter to
the Mayor, we are sorry to say, Mr.. Il. J.
Dillon declines his appointment as one Of the
new Commissioners of the Central Park. He
says that from the very inception of the scheme
he labored in the cause for five years, down to
the time Of the adoption of the plan for laying
out the Park, and that this fact should be con-
sidered sufficient reason for excusing him
from further service. We think otherwise.
But he complains of ''the artificiality" by
which the Park ''is now disfgured," and
pleads that this is beyond remedy, and that
s'not much now remains to be done except to
stop the progress Of useless and tasteless
ornamentation, and to adopt new system Of
planting which will give cool and refreshing
shade to the walks and drives" We think
that even to this extent Mr.. Dillon's services
are desirable; but as his letter is evidently
decisive we can only regret the loss Of man
so we'll qualified for the position declined.
Year: 1870

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ABOLISHED
The bill abolishing this Board has been signed
by the Governor, and is, therefore, now o
law The duties of this Board under the new
Charter will be transferred mainly to the
Board of Aldermen to be elected in May.
Year: 1870

TIE NUTMEG STATE LOOKING UP.-The
morality and patriotism Of the people in the
Gland of Steady Habits" are looking up. After
electing a debauchee Chief of the Police of
one of their principal cities and allowing a
first class prize fight to come off uninterrupt-
edly within their borders only few weeks
ago, considerable part Of the militia force
of the State has just captured a couple of
prize ''millers" from this city and their escort,
and the Court sent number Of them to the
State Prison for periods varying from two to
five years. Thus is one salutary reform
already inaugurated in Connecticut under the
new democratic rsgtDse-that is to be.
Year: 1870

ScHEME FOR A SELL--The Broadway
Arcade scheme at Albany. 1t is too prepos-
ferrous to suppose that the parties concerned in
It have any idea of undertaking the work.
They are only aiming at the right of way to
sell it, and the parties buying it will bc sold.
Year: 1870




We learn through our Washington corre-
spondence that Mr.. Cyrus W. Field Is endes-
voring to get charter from Congress for an
ocean telegraph line from California to China
and Japan by the way of the Sandwich
Islands. This would completely grdls the
earth. We have as yet but few details OF
the project, and do not know II this bs
a rival scheme or intended to supercede
that of Mr.. Collins for telegraph line by
the way of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands
to Asia, which has been before Congress for
more than year past. AT all events. such a
proposition from Mr.. Field, who is practical
man and thoroughly understands the matter.
shows that the scheme Of connecting China
and Japan with the American Continent ia
assuming shape, and that it will be carried
out before long. There is no doubt that cables
could be laid under the Pacific by the route
indicated. The distance from California to the
Sandwich Islands is little over two thousand
miles. From thence to japan, or even to
Shanghae, is about four thousand miles.
or little more. Between the Sandwich
Islands and Japan or China and on tho
direct route there are many islands which
could be used for intermediate stations il
the distance should be found too great for q
single cable. To make the connection, there
fore, by this route is perfectly practicable.
By the way of the Aleutian Islands no single
ocean cable need be over six or seven hum
dred miles long; but there yeald have e DO
many more cables and stations on this line.
However, the project by this route is also
practicable. The question, then, is simply
one of comparative cost and c?nYsRience.
AS matter of convenience in working The
line the direct route across the Pacific by way
| of the Sandwich Islands has the advantage.
| Besides, there is considerable trade and inter-
course with the Sandwich Islands, which
would give local business to the telegraph.
But it is Of great Importance chat we should havs
without delay direct telegraphic communication
| with China and Japan by one route or the other.
England is pushing her telegraph connections
by the way of Egypt and India to that part OF
the world, knowing that they will enlarge and
extend her commerce. Let us not be behind
| in the race. We have greater natural advan-
tages and are in better position for trade
with China and Japan. 1t will be short
sightedness on our part if we do not use them.
The telegraph is the mighty agent OF com
merce and progress. Let us have without
delay direct telegraphic communication with
| Asia.
Year: 1870

STAaNATIoN IN WALL STREET. Since the
recent .fasco of the gold bulls Wall street is
as quiet as on a holiday in midsummer. The
people have lost the caoostacs speculandi aud
are given to more Legitimate pursulta
Year: 1870

A DESPATCH from Yokohama states that
divers who have been down in the Oneida
report that her whole stern had been cut away.
This shows the extent of the shock she must
have received, and which an English Court of
Inquiry agreed was not enough to give the
captain of the Bombay any cause for uneasi-
ness about her. We shall probably hear the
whole truth of the story from the gallant sur
vivors of the wreck, who have just arrived in
San Francisco.
Year: 1870

The questions and complications now loom
ing up in the neighborng province of Canada
are not to be lightly treated. They present
matters that are already of dreadful note to the
New Dominion, and they may become of
national Importance to the United States. The
tide of events seems to be irresistibly floating
the whole North British possessions into the
Union, and although the Parliamentary leaders
buffet against it they cannot prevent the final
consummation. At present the New Domi-
nion is afflicted with Fenian alarm, war
against Winnipeg, and disaffection in Newfound
land, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and, to
certain extent, even in Montreal, Toronto and
the Dominion capital. We have heretofore
shown that this disaffection is spreading
and now threatens a dissolution of the
Dominion, return to the old separate
colonial governments, and, it may be, even a
colonial war of independence against Great
Britain. In regard to the Fenian alarm, we
cannot say that tho Canadians need be in much
perturbation. The greatest evil the Fenian
aggressions seem able to do them is simply
the keeping up of an alarm, which calls for
expenditures, money, taxes and public grum-
bling and serves the Fenian purpose in SO far
that it makes the Canadian people wretched
and dissatisfied. As to the Winnipeg war, the
great expedition now being fitted out to take
tho field in that far away province early in
May is apt to come to grief. Winnipeg will
prove Warsaw to any force Canada can send
against her. Besides, there are complications
that are liable to entangle Canada with the
United States. The Fenians may harass the
expedition on..the lakes or in passing the Saut
Ste. Marie canal, or through Minnesota, or the
government may and is quite likely to forbid
its passage through our grounds altogether.
Thence complications may arise for which
Winnipeg could never pay. We advise Canada
to accept the cheapest and most natural solu-
ton of all her difficulties in annexation.
Year: 1870

The many who have to take the world
rough and tumble are prone to envy the
few who roll through it uujolted in cu,h-
ioned vehicles on patent springs. TIE
toiler, as he stumbles through its thornl
thickets and climbs over its foot blisterine
gravel, is apt to curse the i'll luck that placed
him on such hard road, and to sigh for a
,eat in one of the splendid equipages
that glide SO smoothly over fortunes ma
cadamized turnpike. Born with pewter
spoon in his mouth, he eovets the silver
one which was the birthright of his well to-
do neighbor. Occupation is the 'immedi
ale jewel of life. 1t is true that riches
are no bar to exertion. Quite the reverse,
when their uses are properly understood
But the discontented worker who pines for
wealth, without being willing to labor for it,
regards the idleness in which it would en-
abe him to live as the acme Of temporal
hspj iness. He has no idea of money as
gre motive power, to be applied in enter


pii-es that give healthfGl employment 10
mind and body. All to loaf luxuriously


We have no sympathy with snch sensuous
longings People who indulge in them
never acquire wealth. They lack the en-
ergy TO break their way to the worldly indie
pendence for which they yeaJn and whine.
They don't know how much more glorious
it is to tear affluence from opposing fate BY
main strength of viii and infexibility Of
purpose, than to receive it as a Windfall
There is infinitely more satisfaction in con
quering fortune than was ever experienced
by a lucky heir in obtaining the golden
store which some thrifty hand had accumu
lated. Your accidental Cfesns knows moth
ing of the pride Of sueeess-of honest ex.
ultatiou with which the selfmade man looks
back upon the impediments he has over
come. and forward into the far future which
he has earned the right to enjoy.
Year: 1870

WORDS TO PARENTS -0te thing, howey-
er poor you are, yon can give your children,
ard that is your prayers. They are, if real
and humble, worth more thau silver or gold
more than food and clothing, and hsTe often
brought from the Father who is in heaven,
and hears cur prayers, both money and meat
and clothes, and all worldly good things.
And there Is one thing you can always teach
your child; you mag not yourself know bow
to read or write and therefore you may not
be able to teach your children how TO do
these Thugs; you may not know the names
Of the stars or their geography, and may,
therefore not be able TO tell them how far
you are from the sun, or how big the moon
is; nor be able to tell them the way to Jeru-
salem or Australias but you may be always
able to tell them who made the sun, the
moon aud stars and numberd them and you
may tell them the road to heaven. You
may alwsys teach them to pray.