smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

My friend, Col. Richard Wintersmith
says the Washington correspondent OF
the Cincinnati Enquirer, was walking
up the Avenue, one day, accompanied
by Mrs. w. and another lady. The
sidewalk was icy. Just in front of
them perambulated perfumed attdche
of the French Legation. Suddenly the
high diplomatic boot-heels struck upon
a particularly smooth spot of ice; there
was a flash of feet in the air, and a
whack of q head with hair parted in the
middle upon the cold and unfeeling
bricks; then a frantic getting up and a
hasty glance around to see who was
laughing. 1t happened that the risibili-
ties of the ladies who accompanied Col.
Richard Wintersmith were excited.


The furious Frenchman produced a
delicate piece of pasteboard from the
pocket of his silk vest, and prOffered
the same to the martial Kontuckian.


"Sare, re ladies you have re honare
to protect. have offer me lie gross ensult.
| sail look to you for re satisfacshong. ="


The Colonel bowed with that peculiar
grace and empreSSenlefn which would





with envy hundred times day, were
he alive to witness them, and respond
cd:


"My dear sir, am very sorry that
you take that view of it, but, if you in
sist on satisfaction, permit me to make
suggestion which have no doubt will
commend itself to your judgment. My
wife has two brothers, either of whom
she could spare more conveniently than
she could me, for | am the only hus-
band she has, and she never could get
another like me if | should be slain. If
it is all the same to you, please hold one
of Mrs. WIS brothers responsible in
this matter"


And the Colonel bowed another of his
overwhelming bows, and passed on,
leaving the astounded little Frehchman
absorbed in blank stare at the nearest
lamp-post.
Year: 1876

Professor Doremus demonstrated the
other night, says the New York Times,
that the lactometer is entirely ly useless
for its professed purpose of testing the
quality of milk. That perverse and
mendacious instrument asserts that un-
adulterated milk with its normal guam
tity of cream is less pure than skinned
milk without any cream whatever, and
when an instrument impudently at
tempts to disseminate so monstrous
doctrine, the sooner it is contemptuous'
ly discarded the better.


But Professor Doremus does not come
merely to destroy our faith IN the lac
tometer. He also brings US really IN
fallible test, which will do Just what the
lactometer fails to do. His process !:
so simple that every one can use it. L
the housekeeper wishes to know if th'
milk which she buys is pure, all she ma!
to do is to lay in stock of acetic aeI'
and common alkai. When the milk
man comes to the door, she can ask hin
Year: 1876

FOWLER, the phrenologist, says a
conceited man always carries his head
very high. Fowler probably never saw
a conceited man walking behind lady
as she picked her way over muddy
street crossing.-ChicGgo Times.
Year: 1876

A few DAYS since one of the Profess
ors perpetrated practical joke upon
himself worthy to be cherished in the
archives of the institution, He had oc-
casion to visit small closet, in which
the janitor keeps his tools, situated in
the basement, near the engine. Not
wishing to be disturbed while there he
locked himself in and slipped the key
into his pocket. During his manipula-
tions he forgot that he had the key in
his possession, and upon trying to get
out imagined himself the victim of some
malicious physicist. He waited some
time for his tormentor to repent, and
then became exasperated. He pounded
the door, kicked, wept, and swore
through the key-hole, but in vain. The
ianitor had gone down town, and there
was none to heed his cry. In the course
of the afternoon he returned, and accl
dentally discovered the mighty fallen
into a sullen fit of distrust, and destitute
of all confidence in humanity. Wher
the Professor sat down to his newspa
per after supper that evening, and, hap
penihg to put his hand into his pocket
found the key to that closet, he immedi
ately went into the back yard and ran ;
wheelbarrow back and forth over him
self for half an hour.-CorneU Unirer
Sity Era.


THE Kentucky Legislature has bil
TO repeal the ten per cent. interest Law
of that State. When Kentucky has /:
law forcing a man to lend money with
out interest and with no security excep
a pair of bob-sleighs good many Mich
! iganders will look for homes that way
Year: 1876

We hear of many burgalaries during a few weeks past. It is said that Mir. Chauncey Morehouse. just over the NY. state line, had a visit recently, but lost nothing of consequence. Here we have all the thieves of our own, we can well support. There are class who will not work in summer unless paid twice what they egn earn and who are obliged, when winter comes. to levy on our hen roosts for support. Perhaps the ''shot gun,a policy might be applied successful ly to their cases. We hear that Deacon Woodward has had a few pounds of pork, stolen by negro, who was not long since caught stealing S100. from his employer. Finding that he was not punished for his first theft he tried another. How many will he be allowed to commit? 2s

 AThe great Presidential question still remains nnssttied. { Rev, Mir. Ferret gave us an excellent Thanksgiving sermon set ting forth the dutysof all men to attend the primary meetings and to put better men in nomination than are generally SC. lected, F.
Year: 1876

SLIGHT CORRECTION IN A CAPITAL ANALYSIS.
To the BdttOr OF The TrtbHne.


SIR: The article in this MORNINGS TRIBUNE
on Delaware and Hudson Canal Company makes slip
in bookkeeping in insisting persstenty that the reduc
ton in coal hand should again be deducted from bal
ance of income account for the year You viii see at
glance 4at has already been dope by debting the
account with the larger amount on hand at the beginning
OF the year and crediing the reduced amount at the
close If these two items had been omitted altogether
and the account had been charged merely with the loss
of coal hand during the year. the balance 70 credit OF
income would have been the same :


NJ untOTtnpate that this mistake should have been
made--a mistake which the careless reader might
notice. might give tie rest OF your statement he
importance it tdePeryes. Aside from this II is capital
analysis of the various, somewhat obscure staemGht
put forth by the company. President DicksOnS l3St
statement was open to attack that was nisel
tempted to write you short letter concerning H. put AZ
the points wanted TO make are covered Dy ths aIHcio
except one two of minor Importance. Yours, LYNX


Keu- YORK, Sept 30, 1876.
Year: 1876

BENEFITS OF THE FALL OF THE PRICE OF COAL


THE Production OF PIG IRON MADE CHEAPER


ULTIMATE EFFECTS ON THE REVIVAL or IN


DusTEY.
To tAe Rdttor Of Inc Tribune.


SP: The coal combinations are an attack of
Clpita eised uudcr speciOus upon Labor md
their adverse effect Is obvious that no demonstration
il necessary That such combinations unwise always
evadod and immoral needs proof am surprised that
the iron producers OF the United states directly affected
by this combination have not p0ntcdy treated on this
subject In almost an equal degree iron necessity
with conl Coal is a larger element in the cost OF ton Of
iron than the raw material itself Within bounds ton :or
ton OF ore and coal needed to produce ton Of pig iron
Say ore Of so per cent metallic iron used atho furnace
Then two tons OF coal ge one ton OF pig metal The
pig requires d OF coal 10 smelt IT, for lilo to l5
tons of p produce Of finished iron This excess
Is due 20 scOria and foreign matcr IN TIE pig we nave
then 33 tons of coal to produce ton OF bar irOB.


Shond the combination break the price Weld al once
decline and fall of 50 per ton represents cheapcning
by legitimate cause, 81 81 perFt in pig metal,
and Of 81 so per ton, or u, cents nearly per
mound, I'm finished iron. UDon the single interest
Of iron this cheapenng in production |oui9 ge
allied with domestic industry that from the skillet OF the
cook 10 the locomotive engine builder, and The railway
constructor and all intermediate stages OF IFS use the
effect would startling IL needs legitimate impulse
only TO revive industry II is fancy sketch that ihe
piow the loom and the anvil throughout the land would
each give their sign OF returning prosperity ana Win y
disappear the hordes Of idlcrs, the distress OF
WOnion and children and the reprOach that rests upon
us The lgures given may not be exact thCy arc Gp
Eibft the principle, which Is le amin this letter


NeIc- York Sept. 20, 1870 DOUGLAS
Year: 1876

OMAHA, Sept. 1.-The heavy northwest
wind since yesterday has carried offnearly
all of the grass hoppers. 1t is impossible
to state what the damage done by them
will amount to, but it is thought that il
will not amount to as much as predicted
Year: 1876

Local politics the general topic OF conversation
yesterday ut the different headquarters. Tho green
back party were tho fcncc-didnt know which
ticket they would support, or, whether they put q
ticket OF their in the field or not One portion Of
the party will probably ovor 70 the republicans At
the Everett House there many visitors including
Governor Tdcn Every move In local politics was
watched with Interest," aud the fact that the republ-
cans would not unto with ant-Tammnny was looked
upon rs making Eiy's victory sure.


Al the Independent Citizens Committee the day
was quietly spent, there beng few visitors During
the evening there many visitors OF nil shades OF
politics Mr. swan absent An individual named
ireland seemed occupy his place, much to the DIS
advantage OF the organization.


At tho republican headquarters cy crythng went on
about as usual. In The evening the announcement
that General John A. Dix would probably receive the
republican nomination tor Mayor the sole topic Of
conversation, and was hailed with enthusiasm by the
reuubltcans present
Year: 1876

Gan FRANcICo, March 29th.-At
the anti Chinese committee meeting
last night it was decided to postpone
the meeting until Wednesday night
on account of Governor Irwin not be-
ing able to participate on Saturday.
The Union hall has been engaged and
two stands will be put up for the ac-
commodation of the people. The fol-
lowing resolution was offered and re-
ferred to the committee on resolutions:
Resolved, that this committee on the
Chinese question deem it proper to de-
clare to remove any impression that
may obtain to the contrary, that it
has not been constituted in any spirit
inimical to the Chinese now In this
country; that, though in one sense a
committee of public safety it is no
senee a committee favorable to any
violation of public or private rights;
that the Chinese now here have come
neither under the treaty regulations
which, however, injurious in their OPP
erations upon public interest, they
are not responsible for; that they are
entitled to the fullest protection of the
law and to all the securities which the
strong can and of right ought to assure
to the weak, that evil ought to be rem
edied by the committee is primarily
in the existing obnoxious treaty
between this country and China, and
that the proper Office is only to obtain
such an expression of public opinion
on the subject of that treaty as will
lead to its early abrogation and
abridgment. Committee adjourned
till Monday.


B. c. Van Doll, the publisher of the
Guide, YVES arrested last night on a
charge of embezzlement. 1t is alleg-
ed that A. Fisher gave the accused 20
shares of Gould g. Curry stock, worth
1856 to sell for him and that he ap-
propriated the money to his own use.
The case will be examined on Tuesday
next.
Year: 1876

OUg columns this morning are so filled
with the account of the misdoings OF our
worthy Secretary OF War that there is
scarcely space for anything else. 1t
will be found to be most "interestin'
readin
Year: 1876

to all American citizens. AS to the ques-
ton of the impeachibiitg of an officer
who had resigned and he was not pre-
pared to speak, except to suggest that it
could not be believed that an officer who
was being Investigated and who had
been found by the evidence to be a GRIM
mai could fee from justice. He alluded
TO what he called
Year: 1876

Our absence on the frontier prev ented
us from noticing ere this the death OF our
highly valued friend, General Willis A.
German. He was true. good, honest,
able man courageous soldier skill>
ful commander and a devoted patriot.
All the emotions OF his heart were honor
able and generous. lie loved his coun-
try and his fellow men.


Such men are becoming rare IN these
degenerate days. and when one OF them
leaves us it is a loss to the entire state.
Year: 1876

One of New York's eminent physi-
clans said to friend OF the Ezpress that
the very worst cases among his male
patients we're men of business with no
other physical illness than mental suffer-
ing. The past was full of losses, the
present not encouraging, the future all
uncertain, and the effect had 30 preyed
upon them that they could not find rest
of body or peace of mind. Many have
lost ali their earnings for ten and twenty
years in the shrinkage of values and the
expenses of business. The labors and
aocumulations of years had all gone to-
eether, and resulted either in real or
threatened bankruptcy, and with only
the most gloomy forebodings for the
time to come. While the general in
crease of wealth from 1850 to 1870 was
very great, and in the latter year was
more by 233 per cent. than twenty years
before, no man can begin to realize what
the depreciations have been since 1877.
But it is the effect upon peculiar persons,
especially upon those of a sensitive
nature. whose credits have been impaired
and who can neither hope nor rally,
which is so alarming. When physicians
report 80 many Of their cases to be the
result of nervous depression, occasioned
by business, the record is sad one for
both the country and mankind.
Year: 1876

Gen. Geo. A. Custer, in his war
memories, thus describes the confusion
at the first battle of Bull Run:


The value Of discipline was clearly
shown in this crisis by observing the
manner of the few regular troops, as
contrasted with the raw and undisci-
plined three months men. The regular
soldiers never for a moment ceased to
look to their officers for orders and in
structions, and in retiring from the
field, even amid the greatest disorder
and confusion of the organizations near
them, they preserved their formation,
and marched only as they were directed
to do.


The long lines of soldiery, which q
few minutes before had been bravely
confronting and driving the enemy, sud
denly lost their cohesion and became
one Immense mass of fleeing, frightened
creatures. Artillery horses were cut
fiom their traces, and it was no unusual
sight to see three men, perhaps belong
ing to different regiments, riding the
same horse, and making their way to
the rear as fast as the dense mass of men
moving with them would permit. The
direction of the retreat was toward
Centreville, by way of the Stone bridge
crossing, and other fords above that
point. An occasional shot from the
enemy's artillery, or the cry that the
Black Horse cavalry, 30 dreaded in the
first months of the war in Virginia, were
coming, kept the fleeing crowd of SOL
diers at their best speed. Arms were
thrown away as being no longer of ser
vice in warding of the enemy. Here and
there the State colors of regiment, or
perhaps the national standard, would be
seen lying on the ground along the line
of retreat, no one venturing to reclaim
or preserve them, while more than one
full set of band instruments could be
observed, dropped under the shade Of
some tree in rear of the line of battle,
and where their late owners had prob
ably been resting from the fatigues oi
the fight when the panic seized them
and forced them to join their comrades
| ~ Hioht
Year: 1876

Some late discoveries of cave dwell
ings near Thayngen, in Switzerland, are
valuable as allowing methods OF COM
parison between the !Eroglodytes and
those who made their dwellings, on piles
sunk into the Swiss lakes. Had the
lake habitations been occupied at the
same period of time as the caves, some
evidences of connection would undoubt-
edly have been found, but the contents
of this cave points undeniably to q
period contemporaneous with the re-
moter Troglodytes OF France. Among
the remains OF animals, the mammoth,
rhinoceros, cave bear, lion and reindeer
suffice to warrant this conclusion, while
the handiwork of these cave dwellings
bears a marked resemblance to those
discovered in Dodogne, at the same
time differing most markedly from the
Oldest specimens found in the Swiss
lake villages. Such rude designs traced
in bone as has been found in this Swiss
cave, show quite fair appreciation OF
art, Some surprise has been expressed
at the truth and freedom expressed IN
these designs, appertaining as they must
to 80 remote a period OF mans history,
but when we consider how our own
children take pleasure in exercising this
faculty of imitation, it is not astonishing
that some crude artistic power should
exist together with very low amount
of culture. Prehistoric discoveries seem
to strengthen the idea OF slow and
continuous progression from higher to
lower forms Of art and industry.
Year: 1876

The New York Herald says: Ten
thousand dollars in silver were paid out
in one day at the sub.treasury in re-
demption of currency to that amount.
At this rate it will be quite week be-
fore the coin will be seen by the horse
car conductors. A week later it will be
seen sporadically in the lager beer sa-
looms. In another week it will drop In
the plate at the churches; in a month it
will be at thu corner groceries; next it
will reach the bootblacks, and in three
months people will be complaining that
the confounded thing is wearing holes
in their pockets, and then people will
put away million or two of paper cur
rency, just as people during the war
kept silver dollars under glass cases.
Never satisfied
Year: 1876

Along certain portion OF the coast
of Scotland, when young couple agree
to get married, the nearest relations OF
both parties meet to ratify the contract.
This Is an occurrence of great rejoicing.
The women appear in full toilet, and q
sort of feast is prepared. The marriage
ceremony is usually performed by the
clergyman of the district at the resi-
dence of the bride. After the religious
rites are concluded, a contract is signed
by both parties amidst cloud OF wit
nesses. The bridegroom wears his Sun
day suit, and the lady is adorned with
the conventional veil.


The marriages of these people take
place, almost without exception, on Fri
day, and the celebrations attending the
event continue until the dawn OF the
Sabbath puts an end to further hilarity.
On the first night of the dancing the
women are attired in white muslin
gowns, with their necks and arms e1-
posed, the latter adorned with any quan-
tity of glass beads and ornaments. The
men are in their shirt sleeves, with gor-
geous blue waists, ornamented with
brass buttons, and wearing every variety
of hat and cap. Their throats are muf'
fed with enormous Northumberland,
which they persist in wearing in spite OF
the heat. When the entire night has
been passed in dancing, and daylight
appears, q rush is made through the
town to the future home of the newly
married couple. The musician, armed
with his fiddle or bagpipe, as the case
may be, leads the procession, the bride
and groom come next, and the rest Of
the party follow on behind.


Scotland abounds in singular mar
riage customs. One Of the most re-
markable is called "creeling the bride
groom" In some counties on the day
after the wedding, while the marriage
feast still continues, the bridegroom had
a creel, or basket, filed with stones
firmly fastened upon his back. With
this incumbrance he was compelled to
run about the neighborhood followed by
his friends, who would not allow hin
to remove it until his wife came after
him and either kissed him or unfastenec
the creel. It sometimes happened that
as relief depended upon her, he had no
to run very far; but if the lady wa
either very bashful or very sportive h
had to carry his load considerable dis
tance. The custom was very strict.
enforced, for the friend who was las
creeled had charge of the ceremony, ant
he was naturally anxious that the new
bridegroom should not escape.
Year: 1876

Thomas ". Piper, condemned to be
executed on the twenty-sixth OF May TOR
the murder of Mabel Young in the bel
fry of the Warren avenue church, Bos-
ton. made q sworn statement that she
received the injuries that c used her
death from the trap door falling upon
her head, and that he was frightened
lest he would be accused OF numbering
her, and therefore he denied all knowl-
edge of the matter, trusting that his con-
with it would not be discovered.
Year: 1876

A short time before the late war broke


out, the late A. 4. Stewart entered into


a contract for the building OF his house


on Fifth avenue and Thirty-fourth


street. The gentleman who made the


estimate which became the basis Of the


agreement made what he supposed was


safe and even large allowance for any


rise in the price of labor and all kinds


of materials. But the price of labor and


material advanced far beyond the Wild


est expectation long before the house


WAS completed, in fact before its erec-
ton was fairly begun. and the contrac-
tors became financially embarrassed.


Mr.. Stewart would not release them
from their legal obligations, but entered
into q supplemental agreement with
them by which he was to advance the
money, and they were to 60 on with the
work, being held liable to the amount
that the house might cost above the
contract price. The result was that the
contractors became indebted to MIR.
Stewart in the amount Of great many
thousand dollars. and after very valuable
quarry property had passed over to him
in part extinguishment of his claim, he
brought an action for the recovery OF
over $50, 900 more. Two OF the con-
tractors were supposed to be the wealthy
men Of the concern against these he
obtained judgment by default. The
third partner was the builder, and he
was made the defendant in the action.
Mr.. Stewart had sworn to hiscomplaint,
and this would have made it necessary
to have the answer sworn to-. There
would have been no trouble in swearing
to a good answer ; but it was hoped that
the action might be compromised, and
it was feared that sworn answer would
put Mr.. Stewart somewhat out OF humor
for compromise. Delay was resorted to,
and through the COED nature OF Judge
Hilton many extensions OF time were
granted. Finally it was stated that it
was matter of pride with Mr.. Stewart
to get judgment, since muca had been
said about him relative to this transac-
ton, and that now he wished to be vim
dicated by obtaining Judgment. 1t was
that If the defendant would
consent to Mr.. Stewards judgment he
would give release within one week
without charge. This exceeded expec-
tation, because several thousand dollars
had been offered in compromise. To
Mr.. Stewart it was a matter of pride !;
to the builder it was a matter Of finan-
cial existence. The condition was &C.
ceded to. Mr.. Stewart obtained q iudg-
ment of $33, 1925 against the builder,
and the builder had the judgment
against him satisfied gratuitously within
q week.
Year: 1876

Owing TO the storm that ragged last
evening, operations on the telegraph
wires were much interfered with, which
delayed the reception at this office of the
full text Of the Platform of Principles
adopted at St. Louis until a late hour. 1t
is a clear, ringing, aggressive document,
and its enunciations will meet with q
hearty response from the great mass Of
the people who are yearning Tor reform.