smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

The Philadelphia Ledger says: ssThe
mother that rocks and sings her child
to sleep is unconsciously illustrating
scientific principle. The heart and
the system of circulation are popularity
thought never to rest. But science
shows that under usual and fair condi-
tions their rest is perpetual. In other
words, by their rhythmic and measured
motion in health the organs of circula.
tion rest between each pulse-that is
to say, eight hours ont of the twenty
four, as has been calculated by COM
putting the pallses between the beats
Of the pulse. The monotonous rythm
of a simple cradle-song, and the gentle
motion of the r0cking-chair or cradle
are in harmony with the rythm of the
heart, and, the brain being disengaged,
sleep follows. The brain may be said
to be the part of the animal economy
which sleeps entirely. During healthy
sleep the brain is to a great degree
blO0dless, and this is shown indirectly
by the greater circulation Of the blood
in the skin and extremities during
sleep. Healthy digestion, after fair
ly full but not excessive meal, pro
notes sleep, by the calling off of the
blood from the brain to the stomach.
A CURIOUS but familiar illustration of
the accord between the heart move
ments and external measured sounds
or motions, is shown when the nurse
stops cumming and the troublesome
baby wakes straight up and provoking
ly opens it's staring eyes. The 'con-
cert is interrupted and the sleepy &C.
cord of the heart with the successive
cadences of the lullaby is broken.
This is why the cessation of usual
sounds will wake an adult sleeper. It
is even stated that soldiers who have
fallen asleep during a cannonade have
awakened when the noise suddenly
ceased -
Year: 1876




Yesterday afternoon representative Of
TIE HERALD waitei upon Col. McIntire,
and asked him questions concerning what
had appeared in the afternoon papers, that
"While the workingmen we're docked for
rainy days he drew his full wages" He
said that he had been appointed by the
Council Superintendent of the work at Cool
Spring Reservoir, under the direction OF
the Chief Engineer, and It was his duty to
attend to the work, whether the weather
was wet or dry. The day spoken of and
yesterday, he was on the grounds, both
morning and afternoon, and examined the
work, and finding 1t impossible to resume
that day, would not permit such to
be attempted, which was saving
to the city. He has made overtime
repeatedly and has never made any extra
charge for the same. And In case OF
emergency he is expected to appear upon
the works, whether at night or in the day.
The Colonel having had several years rail-
road experience, states that he never knew
of superintendent or foreman of work
being "docked" for single day or hour on
account of rainy weather or on leave of alb
sence. The clerk on the works, or time
keeper. Mr.. George F. Stevens, is there
every day, wet or dry, and is employed to
keep the time, and It is therefore his busi-
ness to find out whether It is not made az
much as to know If 1t is made.
Year: 1876

Among the bills introduced into the
New York Legislature is one entitled
Gan act to protect the right of trial by
Jury" which contains the following pro-
visions: In no action, civil or criminal,
hereafter tried with a jury, shall the
Judge who presides at the trial, by inti-
nation or expression, submit to the jury
his own opinion upon the weight OF the
evidence which has been produced be-
fore them, of as to what should be their
verdict upon such evidence, except IN
such cases where by lawhe is authorized
to direct verdict.


Another bill ef general interest re-
Iates to the law of libel, and is as fol-
lows: In all actions for libel or slander
in which issue shall hereafter be joined,
the plaintiff shall have the right after
having served notice of trial, and upon
two days notice to the defendant or his
counsel, to move before any judge hold
ing the chambers in the court in which
any such action is brought, to have
such action set down for trial for some
day certain, which shall not be less than
thirty DAYS or more than rinety days
thereafter, and it shall be the duty Of any
such Judge before whom the application
is made to grant an order complying
with this provision, and it shall be the
duty CT the clerk of the court upon
whom such order is served to place such
action on the day calendar Of the day in
dissted II such eTdsrs
Year: 1876

A useful dinner dress, says fashion
Journal, may be of gray and blue faille.
The skirt is of gray faille; across the
back breadths are two bands of fine shir-
ring of blue faille; these bands raise the
skirt and form puffs. On the lower
part of the train are four gathered
f!ounces bound with blue. The front
breadths are blue, and arranged in imi
tation of quilting by means of small
gray faille scarfs, trimmed with blue
pipings, crossing each other and fastened
together by knots; on the sides are bows
and ends Of blue ribbon. The Lamballe
fichu is trimmed with lace. The blue
sleeves are trimmed like the front of
the dress, and finished at the wrist by q
shirring corresponding with those upon
the back of the skirt. The hair is
dressed high on the top of the head,
and low over the forehead; the top and
back puffs are surrounded by beads.
On one side there are four small loops of
blue ribbon, two lying downward and
two upward. at the back are curls,
with blue ribbon loops and ends falling
over the curls.
Year: 1876

This is the way scandal grows and
spreads A young Pennsylvania pastor
boarded in the same house and roomed
with a dry goods merchant, and was fire.
quently in his friends store, and often
assisted him. Not long ago he bought
forty-nine cents worth of goods, leaned
over the counter, dropped two-dollar
bill into the money drawer, and took out
the change. Some customers saw him,
guessed he was stealing, and circulated
the story in the village. And from this
speedily grew the tale that the young
pastor was O veteran till Taper, and had
raided on nearly every money drawer IN
town. But the church and the pastor
went straightway to work and traced the
scandal back to it's starting place, the
storekeeper and his two clerks explained
the circumstances, vote of confidence
was unanimously passed, and the Little
village is quiet once more.
Year: 1876

One evening a pale, thin woman,
meanly clad, was seen shivering ON the
doorstep of a fashionable mansion on
Ashland avenue. Her whole appear
auce betokened poverty and misery.
The master of the house, comparative
ly young man, clad in costly fur over
coat, ran up the steps at the same mo,
ment and gave the poor creature a
quarter, which she took with profuse
manifestations of gratitude. 1t seems
romantic, but it is fact that, eleven
years ago, that young woman lived in
that same mansion, the beautiful, &C,
compished and idolized daughter OF
wealthy parents.


Two suitors sought her hsnd-one was
fashionable young man, the other the
plumbers apprentice, who, while visit
ing her fathers lordly mansion to thaw
out the water pipes, saw and loved the
beautiful apparition. he profered his
suit in a blunt, manly style, told her
that his time would soon be out, and
showed her how the bills were made out
to meet her objection as to his lack OF
fortune. The naughty and infatuated
girl rejected his suit and married the
handsome young man with whom she
sat up housekeeping in the costly man
sion on Ashland avenue. Wonderful are
the attentions Of fortune.


The plumber rose steadily. became
wealthy, and purchased the family man
sion, when the young husband was COM
PEELED, through going short on No. 2
spring at an inopportune moment, to
sell out his property. The young hus-
band took to drink, and finally was
buried in pauper's grave, and few
evenings afterward his starving widow
asked and received aims on the doorstep
of house formerly her own from the
hands of her discarded plumber lover,
now its owner and a millionaire.
Year: 1876

| rious Work.


Speaking of the recent attempt to
rob an express car, which was so success
fully foiled, the Toledo (Ohio) Blade
says As the gang were all armed to
the teeth, and provided with every es-
sential necessary to the successful rob-
berry of the car, and subsequent opera
tions in making their escape, it is mat
ter of interest to the public generally to
know what were the instruments and
how they were made. A description
written from the exit" itself is here
with given. The "billies with which
they proposed to assault or defend
themselves are made of piece OF lead
about the size and shape of small
hens egg, woven around with twine
similar to that used for trout line; the
handles are from eight to thirteen inches
in length and about an inch IN thick
ness, made by braiding the twine round
either q piece Of whalebone, leather or
wood; there are straps of webbing from
an inch to an inch and three-quarters In
width, fastened on the handles at such
an angle as to leave the handle straight
in the hand while the strap easily rests
around the wrist. This is favorite
weapon with roughs, thieves, and assas-
sins. It makes no noise and is readily
used with murderous force, if desired,
and can easily be made away with in
case of a. rest. Their revolvers were OF
the latest improved "police pattern,
carrying balls at least three-eighths OF
an inch in diameter. The gags, with
which they intended to silence the mes
senger or messengers, are made from
the ends of maple broom handles, some
six inches in length. The ends are flat
tened, have notckes cut near them for
the purpose of attaching the ropes
which were to fasten them in place.
Cords remarkably pliable, of BEDFORD
size, some eighteen inches In length, are
attached to the gags.


Masks were prepared for themselves
made from the tops Of boot legs. There
are holes for the eyes and mouth, and
slits made perpendiculary for the nose.
On the face and running across the nose
are the mysterious letters z. Z. T.,
and under the mouth the frightful
motto, "Deatb." There were quite a
number of pieces of soft half-inch rope,
evidently intended for tieing their vic
TINS with. A key had been extempor.
lied which would fit on q square bolt
such as door-knobs are attached to, and
probably was fitted up for such pur-
poses. The auger with which the holes
were bored is an ordinary three-quarter-
inch pod, with shank fastened upon the
handle with a nut, and is such as car
penters use for boring holes for mortis-
ing. There was the panel saw used on
the door, and another one of similar
make, only a little smaller, that could
be used for almost any purpose from en-
larging q gimlet hole to cutting off an
ordinary prison bar. There were no
tools for blowing safes or wedging them
open found with any of the gang.
Year: 1876

eood.soldiers, but after four years SER
vice in the Confederate army, and most
of the time at the front, where had an
opportunity to know what good fight
ing was. am prepared to say that these
border Mexicans are about as formidable
adversarie as ever I saw"
Year: 1876

Conductor, when you receive fare,
Punch in the presence Of the passenjare'
A blue trip slip for an eignt-cent fare,
A buff trip slip for six-cent fare.
A pink trip slip for three-cent fare;
Punch in the presence Of the passenjaTe


CHORUS.
Punch, brothers! punch with care.
Punch in the presence OF the passenjare"
Mark Twain makes the above lines
the subject of lengthy article in the
atlantic Monthly for February; but
what it is all about seems to puzzle
everybody.
Year: 1876

A Parental VETo.-Y Yesterday noon
a bold, bad boy who lives on Columbia
street went home from school and said {:
"Dear mother, mayn't go in my bare
feet this afternoon None of the boys
wear shoes in the Spring" But his
mother said, "No, my darling boy, l
cannot let you go barefooted, and if you
tease me about it l will waffle your ten
der cuticle with tho unkind end Of a
cheerful skate-strap." So the bold, bad
boy closed the debate with sigh, and
when the yeas and nays were called his
motion did not prevail, and the house
soon after adjourned.


But the boy went out of the yard by
the allyway, and took off his shoes and
stockings and hid them behind the wood
pile, and scudded merrily off TO school, and
everybody admired his fiat, muddy, bare
feet. But when he got out of school the
ground was covered with snow, and he
had a very solemn time hoppity- hopping
back home, and when he got there he
couldn't tell the wood pile from hay
stack, and his shoes and stockings might
as we'll have been in the middle Of the
ocean for all the good they did him.


SO he went into the house, and after
a great deal of iIibustering, he made his
report, which was tabled, and the house
went into committee Of the state of the
boy. His mother took the floor, and af-
ter an exciting and highly interesting
session tho committee rose and the house
adjourned, while the boy rubbed such
portions of his anatomy as he could reach
and framed bill for the more perfect
prevention of chilblains. - B,triinqton
Hdwkeye.
Year: 1876

"BE good boy and don't break your
mothers heart, for then you would be an
orphan in the asylum, where you would
have to listen to couple of sermons on
Sunday and two or three during the
week, said the mother, and that boy has
been good ever since.
Year: 1876

A FEW years ago you could sit up and
talk philosophy with a girl all night /;
but now if You stay after one or two
O'Clock in the morning the old people be-
gin to pound on the floor upstairs for you
to go. We don't nina it ourselves, but
we can't help feeling for the girls.
Year: 1876

Appleton's Journal


One often hears ladies express
mild surprise because some man
who had been presented to them
had not bowed to them on meeting
them on the street, at the theater,
or in the drawing-room. If you
ask them, "Did you recognize
him ?" they will be apt to reply,
" Oh, no; of course not. He should
have spoken first" Being re-
minded of the well-defned etiquette
bearing on the subject, they are
likely to add: Il know that very
well; but no woman wants to take
the initiative. Men should do that;
it's their business; it don't belong
to us. No one expects us to make
ourselves so bold" The truth is,
the majority of women are natural
ly so accustomed to man paying
court to them, to his making
the first advance in everything,
that they can't find it in their
sexual sensitiveness, in their Sc.
yerely conventional selves, to obey q
mandate they originally issued and
still insist on perpetuating. Not
one woman in ten thousand has any
fault to find with the rule; in fact,
we have never known a woman to
object to it. Nevertheless, she sell
dom follows it in her own case.
Sometimes a woman says, as a sort
of self-justifcation, "Supposing |
should speak to a man, on meeting
him after an introduction, and he
should not remember me- How
awkward should Iappear; how over
whelmed should be with shame
to observe that lie did not recognize
me. | can't afford to place myself
in a position to seem to be cut by
any man." If any number of wo-
men feel thus, the point Of etiquette
should be changed in order to save
their sensibilities. In truth, how
ever, the objection isnot we'll made.
Year: 1876

the door of their cabin. In the
course of few weeks the accumu-
lation of cans that had contained
oysters, turkey, jellies, and other
good things, began to attract at
tention. Miners passing their
cabin used to gaze upon the many
cans and say, "By Joye, those fel-
lows live like fighting-cocksp 1t
was finally noised about that Glenn
ems and Howland lived like two
princes Jared sumptuously every
day. 1t was thought they never
ate anything but oysters and turkey
and they were looked upon as "Big
Iniuns" by the whole camp. Not a
few of the miners fished for invita-
tions to dinner, but all their hints
were lost on Bob and Sam. Some
of the more curious among their
neighbors then tried to surprise
them at their meals, but without
success; they were always on the
alert, and showed their beans and
crackers out Of sight when a rap
was heard on the door. At last Bob
and Sam arose one morning to find
that the whole pile of cans in front
of their cabin had been carried
off. Not a can was left. Deter
mined not to be beaten in this way
they went out that night to forage
for cans in the back yards of the
people of the town, but had three
pistol-shots fired at them in the
second yard they entered. The
next day they secuted out into the
suburbs, and in a ravine back of
town they found all the cans that
had been taken from in front OF
their cabin. AT night they carried
home as many of these as they
could pack into a gunnysack, and
with this stock hidden away in theil
cabin they felt that their reputation
was saved. The next day, when
their curious neighbors saw lying
in front of the cabin two or three
oyster cans, as many cans that had
contained chickens and turkey, anC
a jelly can Or two, they gave it up


saying, "Those two fellows, Glenn
ems and Rowland, are regular gour


mandsw
Year: 1876

somewhere in their hearts that
everybody is welcome to crawl into
and sun themselves. Old maids
and mOther-in-laws have been trod
on enough, and | am going here
after to strike out from the shoul-
der in their behalf, and somebody
will get hurt if they don't look
ont
Year: 1876

this uncertain manner the measure has
been carried along from time to time, and
although the amount required for he
opening of the road has long since been
collected, the money intended for payment
of damages has been otherwise expended,
and it would appear as if the township
commissioners were disposed to listen to
the say-so of few interested persons.
rather than act in accordance with the
wishes of large majority OF the citizens
of TIE township. The willingness displayed
by the commissioners to accept any
pretext for delay. and the dispo-
sition shown to endorse the opposition pre-
sented shows conclusively that they do not
intend to build the new road unless com
PEELED to do SO. The Pleasant Valley road
would open up the country to the Dosha
and afford an excellenc market for farmers
10 that vicinity. 1t would secure to Moline
the trade of that section, and materially
enhance the commercial interests of the
city, The whole case has been managed
IN the interest of certain clique, whose
only anlmus in opposing it is personal gain.
No measure nas been before the board of
township commissioners of more import
ance to the real Interests of the township
than the new Pleasant Valley road, 1t is
idle to say that they could not get the
money, as it is we'll known that Mr.. S. w.
Wheelock offered to loan the amount for
one year aoithout interest, besides donating
his portion of land and fencing it,


the fact Is, the commissioners do not
want to build it, and don't intend to do SO
| if they can help it, The Matteson heirs
came In as very convenieat obstacles, and
just SO long as some pretext can be given
for delay there will be nothing DONE The
river road is worthless, and at present i'm
passable, so that the farmers cannot get
in with their produce, while the merchants
complain of hard times, and just so long as
public affairs are run in the interest of Ger


tain ciiques, and personal and not public
interests are subservcd, just SO long will the


present stagnation continue. The manage,


nent of this important measure is an open
defiance of the best interests of the people.
Year: 1876

If it could be announced in the
morning and evening papers of tomorrow
that the ferry boat would run, after
Maggie Mitchell's entertainment and a
street car to Moline. there would be people
enough to pay. The arrangement should
be made this evening, in order to have
the notice in the morning papers.
Year: 1876

Sheriff Young, of Buncombe, brought
blind lunatic to the asylum, but the
institution was packed to full extent,
and DIR. Grissom told the Sheriff he
would do the best he could and try to
make room for the unfortunate man
in few weeks. At the suggestion OF
Judge Henry the Sheriff got an old
negro here. Sam Workman, to take
charge of the lunatic and paid him in
advance for his support and mainten,
ance. The Sheriff on Monday as he
boarded the train was interviewed by q
policeman and arrested on a warrant
for violating statute in regard to the
insane. The result of the arrest was
only to detain him hero another day,
and he left yesterday morning for
Asheville, leaving the blind 1unatic be-
hind. In few minutes talk with him
before leaving it seemed his purpose
to take action against the corporation
for arresting him; he said they had
walked up the wrong passenger; that
his clothes might be little out of
date and his appearance unprepossess-
ing, but he was as good an old reb as
ever fiuttered -Ne7US
Year: 1876

His wound was bleeding profusely


and my hope was that he might be


come exhausted first: but he seemed


far from that now, whileI seemed very
near to it. knew my strength could
hold out but little longer; and to lei
| go was certainly death. The bull


would suddenly take a freak and rur
and below with all his might, drag
ging me with velocity--then he would


stop and with a terrific snort attempt
to turn on me, and it was more than
could do with my failing strength to
keep ont of his way, and several times
his horns rent my clothing.


This state of things could not con-
tinue; was ierked hither and thither,
my arms nearly pulled from their
sockets-worried almost to death and
about to loose my hold-when, as the
mad creature paused an instant, the
sharp crack of a rifle rang out upon
the air, aud the huge creature gave
one plunge, and fell upon his side in
the death struggle.


I was safe. but it came not a mo-
ment too soon. /, too, fell to the
ground, more dead than alive. The
sequel Is soon told. It was Bob who
had saved me. He had been more
fortunate than l, and after a hard
chase had killed his game, and the n
looked round for me. The first thing
he saw was my horse without rider,
aud then he discovered me in the dis
truce clinging to the bulls tail for dear
life; and putting spurs to his horse, he
came to my assistance. It was some
tune before ne could shoot, for fear of
hitting me; but he finally su ,ceeded in
planting a ball directly i'll the animals
breast


After resting, cap uring my horse,
and securing my revolver, which L
easily found where / fell from the
horse, we sat down to smoke and re-
late our adventures.
Year: 1876

RICHMOND, Feb. 19.-E. D. Ruffin,
a colored member of tue House of
Delegates from Dinwiddie county, Was
expelled to>day for improper conduct
in abstracting money from the pay
box of The sergeant alarms. His guilt
was esta5 ished beyond doubt as the
missing money was traced to him, and
he confessed by giving al order
against his per diem for the amount
The money he took belonged to an
other colored member which was in
the pay box near his own
Year: 1873

OUR FARM TooLs.-The amount of
machinery which a hundred acre farm
now requires is SO costly that the proper
care of it becomes an item of great i'm
portance. At this time of the year the
farmer needs to set his tools in order,
and put them in condition and in a
place where they will not deterlorate by
keeping until again wanted for use.


The tools, such as the reaper and
mower, and other haying and harvesting
machines, with such ploughs, wagons,
scrapers, harrows, cultivators, rakes, &c.
that will not be wanted again until next
year. should be housed and at the first
leisure time they should be fully over
hauled, cleaned and oiled, to prevent
rusting. In order to properly and eco
nomically care for his tools, the farmer
should have a workshop where the
painting and repairs may be done with
comfort, in cold or stormy weather.


Besides tools for working wood, the
farmers shop should be fitted with a
forge. so he can work iron. By good
care and personal supervision farmer
owning and using a thousand dollars
worth of implements can save yearly in
their wear and repairs more than seven
per cent. interest on their cost. simply
by taking good care of them, and the
saving in time by having them ready for
use when needed, will be as much more.