smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873

In view of the fact that the water we
drink is not unlikely to be crowded with
dangerous germs, it seems the part of
wisdom to adopt the simple precaution
suggested in our heading. A portable
filter may be made of common stone
ware or earthen jar. The bottom is
filed with stones as large as a goose
egg, or is covered with perforated slate
slab, leaving a space to hold supply of
filtered water. A faucet is fitted into a
hole bored through the side of the jar,
as near the bottom as may be. On the
slab or stone is placed layer of coarse
gravel, cleanly washed over that layer
of clean washed sand; then a layer of
powdered charcoal, also well washed !;
still another layer of sand, and then one
of coarse gravel, both washed perfectly
clean. The remainder of the space is
for water. A cover, or a wet cloth,
placed over the top, excludes dust. IF
a porous jar is used, the evaporation
from the outside during hot weather
will keep the contents almost ice cold,
particularly if it is kept in current of
air. The same fltering arrangement
may be applied to a cistern. At the up
per corner is the chamber into which
the pipe discharges. The layers of ma
terial are gravel, sand and charcoal. AS
the filter will need to be taken out oc-
casionally to wash the contents, it is
we'll to make the chamber quite distinct,
so that access may be had to it at any
time without disturbing the cistern OF
| its contents.
Year: 1873




A most horrible and almost incredible
condition of affairs in the Vermont In
sane Asylum is described in the report
of the Legislative committee appointed
to investigate the management of that
institution. The committees first dis
covery was that the asylum, which is
controlled by private corporation, was
greatly overcrowded, 1856 patients being
packed into space intended to accom-
modate 300 at the most. This, however,
is a trifiing matter in comparison with
other revelations. Seventy-fve of these
unfortunates were thrust away in sub
terranean dungeons, dark, damp, foul,
and pervaded by uncomfortable stenches.
Some were confined in apartments nine
feet by four in size, with air and ventila-
ton only through auger holes bored In
the doors. The active as well as the
passive infections put upon these pool
people proved equally inhuman. Among
them was the punishment of the bath,
in which the patient, securely bound, is
placed in bathing-tub, and a continu-
Gus stream of cold water allowed to fall
upon his head. This torture, it may be
remarked in passing, was one of the
most excruciating known in the dark
ages, resulting usually in insanity OF
death. To this asylum of horrors the
committee also state that sane men have
been consigned through fraud and bri
berry. The picture is as complete as
Charles Reade could make it, but with
out the romance of fiction. The reality
is something for the Legislature of Yer
mont to deal with promptly and severe
ly; for it is too disgraceful for belief
except as attested by an official investi
cation such as has produced this as
! founding report. Post.
Year: 1873

Mentisning a particular rodent, the
veracious Grass Valley (CaL U'aton
says The rat of which we speak has
his enjoyment in the North Star Mine.
The other day miner down in one of
the levels Lit short clay pipe in order
to take Whit or two of smoke. He
gave a couple of puffs and put the pipe
down on piece of rock to attend to his
work. He in a few moments looked for
his pipe for the purpose of taking an
other Whit. The pipe was gone. He
looked little further and beheld rat,
who was old and gray with age and wis
dom, sitting up on his launches with
the pipe held in his mouth. The miner
went to get his pipe, but the rat re-
treated a few steps and again sat up and
began to smoke. The miner was sur
prised as well as delighted, and merely
remarked, eco ahead, old fellow, and
have your smoke out" The rat did
have his smoke out, and then, putting
the pipe down, gave little squeak OF
evident satisfaction and betook himself
in dignified way to the darker recesses
of the mine,
Year: 1873

Blanketing horses in summer has now
become an acknowledged necessity, and
light blankets are now an important por-
ton of the harness-maker' stock. The
materials used for these are brown and
bleached linen, scrims, flannel and light
cotton duck. Muslin sheets are also
used, but these, as well as those made
of duck, are not popular. Linen and
flannel are the favorite goods they cost
more, but are durable and look well ;
twilled braid is used for binding and
joining, and some of the finer qualities
have monograms or the name of the
horse worked on with very narrow braid
of the same shade as the binding.
Scrims is used more as a protection
against flies than for any other purpose,
and being very light and loosely woven, !,
requires to be well bound and secured
at the seams a strip of leather should
be stitched on under the braid,
either on the back of the scrims or be-
tween it and the braid the edge of the
scrims must be turned in SO that the
outer row of stitches will pass through
two thicknesses; if this is not done il
will ravel, and the binding come off,


Carriage and Harness Journal.
Year: 1873

The world is full of chronic fault
finders. Nothing can please them.
They take delight in growing and
grumbing over everything they meet.
If anything is good, they complain be-
cause it is not better. Humanity has
no bright side to these grumblers. 1t
looks black, dreary, hopeless to them,
from whatever point of view they exam
inc it. They overlook the virtues of an
Individual, and hold up single fault to
Judge his scharacterf from. They denounee
a party as corrupt because few rascals
disgrace themselves by unworthy acts.
The church is false because a few hypo-
critics find shelter within it. The world
is on the high road to destruction, and
everything indicates the, deprayity of
man. We do not envy the happiness OF
these GROWERS. Their unhappy frame
of mind is about the only pleasure
they enjoy. 1t may sound paradoxical,
but the social misery they create is to
them a source of enjoyment. A single
hopeful heart is worth regiment oi
these fault-fnders. Humanity has it's
bright side-beautiful and attractive
to those who seek it. The world il
alive with public and private virtue, an6
we should be ready at all times to foster
and encourage this element of socia
comfort and public happiness.
Year: 1873

Four DEGREES OF DRUNKENNESS.
There is a Rabbinical tradition that
when Noah planted the vine, Satan at
tended and sacrificed sheep, a lion, an
ape and hog. These animals were to
symbolic the gradations of ebriety.
When a man begins to drink, he is meek
and innocent as the lamb then becomes
bold as the lion; his courage is soon
transformed into the foolishness of the
ape; and at last he wallows in the mire
like the hog.
Year: 1873

An Invention for Which Wonderful |


Things are Claimed-A Great Fuel


Saver.


Mr.. William Wells, of Salem, has just
perfected an apparatus for running
stationary or locomotive engines by va
por power, which, if it fulfills all that is
expected of it, will entirely revolutionize
the method of running engines of every
description. The new apparatus was
set up few days ago, and on Saturday
afternoon it was put in practical opera
ton, for the first time, in the presence
of several gentlemen well versed in ma
ohinery and the application of power
The working of the engine was entirely
satisfactory, and all present expressed
themselves as highly pleased with the
success of the invention, which had been
considered by all but the designer as an
experiment.


The whole apparatus Is very simple IN
construction, and the new power can be
applied to any engine. The whole pc
culiarity in construction is in the boiler;
the engine being precisely like any
other, and the vapor being conveyed to
the cylinder of the engine just the same
as steam. The boiler is an upright one,
and is really double boiler; that is, it
has two heads at each end, one a few
inches from the other. The two cham
DerS IuuS IOrneu, Ou0 aG oHCl Gnu VI
the boiler, are filed with water, and are
connected by tubes, which are for the
circulation of the water between the two
chambers. The second or inner boiler,
that between the two inner heads, is
filed with a preparation of bisulphide
of carbon, the Yapor from which is the
motive power and takes the place of
steam. Beneath the boiler is a small
box, from which hues run up through
the two boilers to the smoke pipe.
These f1ues pass inside of the tubes al
ready mentioned, and the fire in passing
through heats the chemicals. By this
arrangement it will be seen that the
bisulphide in the inner boiler receives
the requisite amout of heat without
coming in direct cont act with the fire
hues, as the water, as has been explained,
is kept in circulation through the tubes.


Mr. Wells claims that with compare
lively small fire great amount of power
can be obtained, and it has been prac-
tically shown that, with the water at
temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit,


or the boiling point, pressure of sixty
five pounds to the square inch Is OBJ
tanned on the vapor boiler, and of course
| if greater heat is applied to the water,
the vapor pressure will increase proper
| tionately. 1t should be mentioned that
| the chemical preparation is used over


many times, as the vapor, after passing


through the cylinder of the engine,


passes into condenser, and is then re-
| turned to the boiler to be used again.


The waste of chemical material is said
to be very small. It is estimated that


at least two-thirds of the amount of fuel


can be saved by the use of this inyen-


tion, but the exact amount can be bet


ter determined after further experiment.


Mr.. Wells has been at work eight years
| n.perfecting this apparatus, and judg-


ing from the test of Saturday, his labor
and pains have not been thrown away


Boston Globe, July IA.
Year: 1873

THE SOUTH, THE WEST AND TUE REPUB-


LICAN PARTY.


We are informed from Washington
that the republicans of-the South are
indignant at the milk and water course
Of the administration in the NirPinius
affair; that they are moving for new
organization looking out for the dOmi-
nant party of the future, and that they
probably unite with the trangers on a
new departure; that wide awake and
progre sive republicans are freely dis
cussing the shortcomings and the
blunders of the administration party
and its bungling in the State elections
of last October and November, and that
the plain men of the party from the
ro 'al districts are disgusted with the
silly working of civil service reform
10 a word, the cohesive power of the
republican party, aI the party of the
administration, is broken, the work o.
disi1tegration in the party has com
menced, and from all the signs of tat
times the party of the future that vii
next come to the front will begin to crOI
ont boldly in the West and South in tht
elections of 1874 for the next Congress
N L. Herald
Year: 1873

Temperance orators are lam enting the case
of Waterloo, Ia, burglar, who after pack
ing up the plunder which he obtained in a
wealthy citizens house, unfortunately came
across some choice liquor and was tempted
to indulge therein until he fell asleep upon
the parlor sofa, where he was found next
morning and handed over to the constable.
This sad Illustration is adduced to show how
wrong it is for any one to keep intoxicating
beverages in the house. Even though the
proprietor himself be safe from committing
an excess, he can never know what injury he
may indirectly cause to weaker fellow-be-
inp
Year: 1873

STRANGE ILLUsIoN.-I sauntered up the
valley by moonlight that evening, and was
again witness of a most peculiar effect, which
had once or twice struck me in other parts of
Switzerland. The stream was coursing
down the valley, and, although I of course
knew Twas ascending,it it suddenly appeared
to me as If the water were running towards
me up hill, and consequently the path before
me appeared dotcn hill. had first noticed
this stronge Illusion when journeying with
friend one very dark night in the valley Of
Chamouni


We were riding in one OF the mountain
chairs, going at slow walk up somewhat
steep ascent. My companion suddenly ex-
claimed, "Why, we're going down hillI'
looked ahead, and could positively have de-
clared his statement was correct, until L
looked behind, and found that the road we
had passed also appeared down hill. Had we
not known to the contrary, we could have
taken oaths on the subject, it seemed so very
evident.


One night was walking up the valley in
Kandersteg, in company with a German ac-
| quaintance whom l had picked up on the
| road. The KaBder was rushing by us with
haste, close to the road Again l observed
the same peculiar effect, but, not being in a
talking mood l said nothing. Suddenly my
companion said, "Why, the water is running
up hill, and stopped in utter amazement.
/ then informed him of the effect / had OBJ
served on the road to Chamouni. We both
thought the illusion must be in some way re-
ferable to the great height of the surrounding
mountains, though why ii should be observed
at all, l leave to wiser heads 10 determine
CGsselFs Magazine.
Year: 1873

Lay aside his little trowsers,


That our.darling used to wear,


He will no more on earth need them


He has climbed the golden stair.


If anybody can read that verse without
shedding tears he may be safely called fend
in human shape. The picture Of little boy
climbing golden stairs without his trowsers
on is very beautiful, and the more so because
of the reflection that the little one can never
catch cold again.-Rochester Democrat.
Year: 1873

The new London note-paper is of coffee
color, and folds at the top instead of at the
the side. At the head of the sheet is a black
crest or monogram, surrounded by plain
black circle. The envelope is square. and
has the same Establishment on the fold.
Parchment note-paper is also fashionable this
season.
Year: 1873

Somebody has invented ''button holing
machine" and there is a company organized
for its general diffusion. Now will bores be-
come more intolerable than ever, and there
will be ne resource for the unfortunate vic
tim but to yield when he is button-holed by
machinery.
Year: 1873

II h devoted TO historical recoecoDs Of the celebrated
Holland House in London which for 80 long time
the center OF brilliant intellectual society," and the seat
of a powerful political influence The author was an
adopted daughter Of the present Lady Holland, ana
recently allied by marriage with pnhcely Austrian
family. She was brought mp In Holland House. anu
writes both the knowledge and the enthusiasm OF
nersonal experience The work abounds with anecdote
and gossip of society. and although making no pre-


tensions literary merit is entertaining and attract


i've The illustrations of rare excellence, forming
cabinet OF portraits and architectural ana historical
sketches which make the volumes an ornament to the
drawing as well as an acquisition TO the library.
Year: 1873

Scotland Correspondence of the n. 7. Mail.


To return to Scottish farm life. Bes ides
high wages, high taxes are another of the trials
of the Scottish farmer He has taxes on small
objects and for small privileges, of which we in
our States, who consider ourselves highly taxed
know nothing of. He is taxed for his gun ten
shillings year and ten shillings for every gun
carried by himself or his men and not only is
he taxed Tor his guns, but he is taxed beyond
aud above ten shiilings, three pounds tor the
privilege of firing his gun at game OF any klnd.
For his dog, who watches his sheep, he is taxed
FIVE shlligs, aud FIVE shillings for every dog and
puppy on his place. For every four-wheeled
two shings, for every two-wheeled dog cart,
or any other vehicle on springs, he is taxed
fifteen shillings. For every riding or driving
horse in his stable he is taxed ten shilIiugs, and
for every groom to take care of such horse ten
and six pence. For "house duty socalled,
or for any house the yearly rental Of which is
above twenty pounds, there is tax of nine pence
sterling per pound; and there is added to
all of these the; income tax paid by all lDdl-
viduas in Great Britain whose yearly in
come, from a,y source, exceeds one hundred
pounds; and rental tax which every farmer
pays whose yearly rental is above two hundred
pounds; and above and beyond all these the
farmer has to pay school board tax and poor
rates. The poor rates vary IN different
parishes from one penny to two shilliDgs per
pound of reuta the school board tax from three
pence to nine pence per pound Of rental; the
farmers are, moreover, bound still beyond all
of these to pay tax called statute labor
money" That is tax for the construction
and keeping in repair of all roads not coming
uuder the turnpike act This tax consists of
thirty shlllings for every fifty acres of land.


TO farmer with a farm of three hundred
acres the road toll will amount to ten or fifteen
pounds year, his business taking him almost
daily 70 the different market towns IN his Deig gh
borhood, at cost Of six pence or shilling
each time he drives out. He is, however, ex
empt from all toll on going to, or coming from,
his regular place of worship of Sunday, al
though if be 60 to a,kirk outside Of his own
parish the usual toll Of sixpence for one horse,
or shilling for two is charged.


And still we of the States consider ourselves
highly taxed people!


Itisa blessed thing for the Scotsman that


there is no tax on umbrellas in Scotland.
Year: 1873

. AssassinatiOns are Of more frequent Oc-
currence than ever in this favored portion
of the republic, and the reign of terror
established ever since the publication of
the LerdO amnesty continues with ven
geance. The latest poor fellow killed is a
cripple Of the name of Pedro Luna, a strong
friend of the past and present governments,
and who came by his death on account of
services he was endeavOring to perform
toward the State, apprehending deserters
and denOunclng criminals. He was son-in-
law to Pablo CrIstinO Perez, killed in Chit
nameca. in November last, ON his own door
step. Luna was murdered behind his own
counter, before the sun was fairly down.
and in the presence OF many witnesses. ON
the evening OF the twenty-third instant.
The Judge of the first instance, Don Manuel
Maria Gomez, lies grievously wounded by
the fell hand of an assassin: all the other
judges are either scared OD accOmplices,
and the administration Of justice is reduced
to worse than nullity. Every government
official in the town has been threatened
anonymously with determination.


An attempt was made the night before
last to plagta Captain Calderon, command
ing officer Of the fifth company of the
Twenty sixth regiment. Happily it tailed
My next letter will undoubtedly announce
fresh horrors, as the necessary result of the
state OF anarchy and confusion into which
these unhappy districts are plungeJ.-Cor-
'esponde,,ce of the CosmopoLtan.


Such is the state Of things in Manititlan,
in Mexico, where they change such admin
istrations as do not suit them with the
knife. The same correspondent, explaining
how such policy destroys the property Of
the country, says:


If this state of things continues a regular
exodus will take place from this part of the
country Of all the order loving, law abiding
people; at all events, their families will be
sent to places of more security. Some are
already leaving. And all this in connection
with port that represents large native and
foreign interests, and which, if we had or
dlnary protection and guarantees, could
soon be made second only in Importance to
Vera Cruz; and is only days remove by
steam from that city What we require is
a strong military force and a man like Gen
eral Rafael Benavides to command it,


Of course. assassination can only end in
military rule.
Year: 1873

Nautilus" the facile correspondent of
the New York Nautical Gazette, pays the
following handsome but deserved compli-
ment to the United States shipping com
missioner of this port:


The United States shipping commission
ers report lies before me, and as | have
carefully watched the workings of this
office since it was created, cheerfully con-
gratulate its chief, Captain VILLAIN Wright,
on the able and satisfactory manner in
which he has conducted the business. Cap
tain BILL" as he is familiarly called. is
somewhat of a sea lawyer. not the'style so
dreaded by the ship-master in the forecastle
but one we'll posted in law that governs or
shall govern all "old mattoes."


His dignitied manner and thorough
knowledge of the intrigues OF this class of
men has such telling effect upon them
that he has only once been obliged to go
into the regular court to settle difference.
When the master or the sailor will listen to
reason, rather than go to law. we can rest
assured that that reasoning is sound, and is
beneficial to all concerned.


One of the best features adopted by Cap.
tain Wright is the mastering of all crews
on board not later than MD d-day, so that no
tow starts down the river at night, as was
always the custOm-making it sometimes
as much as an officers life was worth to go
forward in the dark among a drunken and
vicious crew. This also makes ''shanghae-
ing thing OF the past. and blood-money
. dead letter.


In conclusion, would say that thi. law.
as conducted at this port, has met with the
hearty approval of American ship-masters
Year: 1873

Foreanlt has invented an apparatus for
measuring the velocity Of light. which in
cludes small wheel that can be run at the
rate Of 1000 revolutions a minute. The
wheel carries diminutivs mirror. which
at first was Of the ordinary kind but tho
great speed quickly stripped he amalgum
from the glass. aud metallic mirror had
10 be substituted.
Year: 1873

Rarely has trial. taking the character OF the
accused and the accusations against him and all
the circumstances OF the case under consideration
been railroaded at such speed as that OF Henry w.
Genet now IL progress in the Court or Oyer and
Terminer All the additional testimony was sub
mitted yesterday, and the summing up for the de-
fence concluded The prosecuting counsel began
summing up, and will finish this morning, when
Judge Daniels Will give his charge and the to
the jury How much time tie Jury will take to
ponder upon their verdict remains to be seen, but
1T is thought the final determination will be reached
to-day.


The newly elected Judges Of the Supreme Court,
Abraham r. Lawrence. Jr., and Charles Donohue,
were yesterday sworn in by Judge Ingraham, OF
the Supreme Court. OF course they do not enter
upon their judicial duties until the beginning OF the
new year.


The Supreme Court General Term, which has not
been in session for sometime will meet to-day. Ir
is expected that several important decisions will be
rendered.
Year: 1873

IT is never too late to use Hale's Honey of
Horehourd and Tar as a Cough cure, but IL IA
best to have recourse to it in thu early st ges of
pulmonary disease, so as to secure immediate
and permanent relief and avoid danger
Sold by all Druggists
Year: 1873

A fond father IN Burlington growled like a
dog with sore head because physician
charged $40 for removing kernel of corn
from his sons ear, where it had lodged. He
said coffin only cost 81. and the corn would
have sprouted soon and might have been
pulled up by the roots.
Year: 1873

No efforts will be spared to make the MAINE
STATE PRESS more acceptable to its patrens. Indeed
the Publishers will not relax their efforts to make
the paper necessity to those who have been accus-
toned to read it. We pledge that during the year
1878, the Weekly PRESS shall be more a NEwSPA-
PER than ever, so that the fam. that thoroughly
reads the paper will have all the current ecents the
day.