smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

INTERESTING ELECTRICAL ExPERIMRNT.-Take
sheet of coarse brown paper, and after hold
ing it before the fire until it is perfectly dry, fold
it up into long strip aabout two inches wide
The magnet is now complete. To exibit the
tractive power, cut some strips OF writing paper
shout three inches long and about as wide as
one of these lines; place them upon the table
three or four together. Now, take the magnet
and draw it briskly under the arm two or three
times; its electro-magnetism is instantly devei.
oped, and becomes apparent when held over the
small strips of writing paper, for they fly up to-
ward the paper magnet, veritably by the wings
of lightning.
Year: 1859

PLEAs1Ns INcInENr.-At the funeral of a little
babe in New Sharon few days since, says the
Gospel Banner, circumstance occurred remark
ably cheering and suggestive.


The little one, all beautifully robed for the
grave, was laid in its coffin for the burial. The
weeping friends placed in its hands a small DO
quet of flowers, among which was an unopened
rosebud of the Rose of Sharon The lid was
then placed upon the coffin, and the funeral ser.
vices performed. When after the lapse OF not
more than two or three hours, the coffin va.
opened again, and the friends gathered around
to look upon it for the last time, that bud had
become full blown rose, while grasped in the
cold hand Of DEATH 1t seemed as though voice
came up from those BEAUTIFULLY sealed lips, saying
Weep not for me; though broken from the
parent stem, am blooming in the Paradise Of
God. Millions of infant souls compose the fam
ily above
Year: 1859

Grv1Na CRRplT.-A boy at crossing having
begged something Of gentleman, the latter told
him that he would give him something as he
came back. The boy replied, "Your honor
would be surprised if you knew how much lose
hu oil wing credit that way"
Year: 1859

If you are threatened with handsome IN an
in the family. lust take clothes FOUNDER while
he is vet in bed, and batter his head to pumice.
From some cause or another, handsome men are
invariably asses; they cultivate their hair and
complexion so much, that they have no time to
think of their brains. by the time they reach
thirty, their heads and hands are equally soft
Again we say, if you wish to find an intelligent
man. just look for one with features so rough
that they might use his face for nutmeg crater.
Year: 1859

The history of Mr.. George Hubbard, of Bos-
ton, who is about to enter upon his laoors as q
missionary in Africa, accompanied by bis wife,
who was Miss Elizabeth Blocker Hadden, OF
New York, is related as follows in the Express


"Some years ago there lived in Boston q
young man, of one of the best families 10 tne
city, handsome, intelligent, we'll educated, OF a.
greeabe manners and address, and exceedingly
popular with all who knew him. Still he was
most generally know as very fast young man,
and noted for his extravaganza in the expendl-
ture of money, his disregard for those eonven-
tionalities and moralities, OF which society re-
auires the observance of all within its pale
The result of such career, need not be descrlo-
ed as it is seen every day in all great cities, hap
pening in spite of the precepts of the judclous
and warning examples of the imprudent The
last chance that seemed to be left for the rein.
statement of the subject of our story in the good
opinion of his friends, of himself, and OF the
world, was voyage in some responsible capac'
ty that should test the sincerity of his desire to
redeem himself


"By the aid of friends he procured such anop-
portunity, and left his native city as the COM
mander of q merchant vessel, bound on long
and somewhat hazardous voyage. In the course
of it he found himself among the Fejee Islands
and having occasion to go ashore on one OF them,
he visited the rude dwelling of q native chief,
who entertained him Hospitality, and, as he was
about to depart, requested him to pray to the
Christian God, with and for that savage family


"Here was dilemma. The attidute and act
of prayer had long been strange to the youth,
and he was not prepared for such request; and
in default of his ability to comply with it, the
Fejee chief who had probably been visited and
taught by some wandering missionary who had
casually landed upon that island, raised his
voice n prayer, while the native of christian
and civilized land, himself unused to devotion
stood by and listened! Was not this striking
scenel But mark the result Our young sailor
returned to bis ship, and in due course ftime, to
bis home. fastening to his brother--a clergy
man of the Episcopalisn Church, residing in the
neighborhood-he told him the story of tht
prayer he had heard put up by savage island
er in that far distant ocean, and confessed to him
that the prayer had been followed by an an
swering effect, in the conversion of him who
was strangely called apon to listen to it. de
now desired to redeem the time he had so.sadly
wasted, and to devote himself actively, and in
the most sacrificing way, to the cause ofrelgon
Steadily adhering to his purpose, he became q
church member, candidate for orders in the
church, and an accepted missionary to Africa
whittier he is about to 60, under the auspices Of
the Foreign Missionary Committee of the Prot,
estant Episcopal Church. But not alone"
Year: 1859

The cost to the United States for the trans
mission of a single letter by the overland route
from St.1ouis to San Francisco is siztyJSce dot
lars. The actual pay received for the feat IS
iuot fen renfS
Year: 1859

LANE EFFoRr-The Express of yesterday
makes very lame effort to defend the acting
majority Of the Board of Supervisors. who,
in the face of the law and all common Sc nse,
and in defiance Of all remonstrance and ad-
vice, proceeded deliberately to put this coun-
ty to dead and useless expense, for the bene.
fit of the California Express, their own parti-
san paper. The act is wholly indefensible,
and the people viii launch their thunders at
the heads of the perpetrators. There are
several very glaring misstatements and gross
Misrepresentation in the Express's article
but we shall not take the trouble, at present,
to pay any attention to them, particularly a.
they make out no justification for the con-
duct of the Board, even admitting them to
be true.
Year: 1859

DASIEI DoUoLAs-This individual claims
that he is the man alluded to in yesterd,y
article in the DENooRAT headed Almost nip
ped him" and requests us to give his own
version Of the affair. lie SAYS that he was
walking along on First street, near the cor
ner of B. when a Mexican advanced towards
him and addressed him insultingly. lie mad,
no reply, and the Mexican then drew a sword
and cut him across the hat, damaging the hat
but not hurting him. Five other Mexicans,
he said. then made rush for him with
knives and he run, not being armed. They
pursued and three Of them pushed him pretty
close lie fell ever pile of dirt. and jus
then one of the Mexicans spoke to the bal
ance something in Spanish and they all turn
ed back.
Year: 1859

FORCED County Scar We are informed
that considerable amount Of forged Yuho
county scrip is in circulation. So far, about
six hundred dollars worth Of it has been dis
covered, and it is likely that good deal
more has been issued Somebody has been
acting the scoundrel.
Year: 1859

In the San Francisco Police Court on Mon
day the case of Robinson, charged with the
murder OF Karney was brought up and the
prisoner. by advice of his counsel, waived n
preliminary examination, and the case was
sent to the Grand Jury.
Year: 1859

INA BAD FIx-The Sacramento STANDARD
says that a restaurant keeper in that city,
after waiting in vain the other morning. for
the arrival of his customers to break fast
found that mad wag or a secret enemy had
slyly substituted pair Of young kittens for
a brace of fat rabbits which had been hung
on hook at the door, The mystery was
solved.
Year: 1859

Judge EDMoEDss the spiritualist has bsen leetar-


ing 10 New York on "Death.' He said there was


only one way in which the fear Of death could be


swept from the earth and the great problem Of


mans future existence solved, and that way vas


the much abused system of spiritualism. Spiritual


ism had established the fact that when man die $


be passes to another state Of existence; and, also,


that there is a great diversity in the e1pe-


riencs of different spirits in the passage. Mr. I'd


Moxps stated several cases to illustrate his posi-
'tion, among which were the following: spirit


once 0an.e to the speaker who had awakened in q


place Of utter desolation and solitude, aud had re-


mained there for months. Having been taught that
the condition in which the soul fads itself after
death is eternal, he lsbOrsd under the painful be-
lief that be must stay there forever. He had been


hard selfish man. Who left his wife and children and
went to California in search Of gold and there died


The spirit Of q strict Sunday ykseping deacon came
to him and commenced upbrsidiOg him for not oh
serving the frat day of the week in siricter man
ner, and he aseertained that this spirit had been
in the other world SONS time, and was only con-
scOus Of existence on Sunday. pRrlpg the remain
ing six days Of the week be remained in state Of
unconseiOusutss. A young lady died of heart dis
ease in bal room IN London, and was unconscious
for three Weeks She came to him and be gan TO
talk as though she were in the green rOOm for which
she started when STACKED He also gave several
other instances illustrative of his theory and drew
the cOaelGsiOn that hOss whose lives passed in
the pursuit Of good and Noble Obsetsthoss who love
truth, and labor to disseminate Knowledge and the
spirit Of charity, experience but brief period of
while those sordd and groVelling
men, whose aims are selfish aad whose hearts are
close to charity, are often unconscious for months
Year: 1859

pensa ion in the decreased price, which aids the


sumption, and the equlibrium will soon be res
tored


l. this be true, then the whole question Of the f
ture foreign trade Of the country is connected, not
with the tariff, not even With the wisdom OF the
importers, but with the export trade Of the country
The quantity Of foreign goods brought out will be
regulated chiefly BY lbe means Of IaymeBt. Sum
up the total gold, cotton, breadstns. provisions,
and other produce which We can sell to advantage,
and me aggregate will represent the amount that
snail import. The difficulty with those who are
IrgateRed about the future is that the ship seems
% them 70 be committed hopelessly to the mercy of
me wind and the waves, and their superficial view
iakes no aceoaat Of the rudder. They predict an
Import Of many millions and then stand sghast at
the total, asking how the country ever hope to
pay such sum. The true method Of estimate
would be TO begin on the other side of the ledger
Have We SO many millions to export? Then look
Tor q corresponding import. II we have not, no
such amount will be purchased abroad


The indisations nov are that the export trade in
nresdsfnHs viii soOn begin, giving increased conf
denee to business operations thfoughout this eOun
try, and very needful benefit 10 the shipping in
teresi. Tue revenue of the GoveFnmenG for the
next spring and SIMMER will depend, not upon the
'agaeiiy or importers but upon the qusUty Of pro-
duee to be sent abroad the ensuing SIX months
Year: 1859

The Springfield Republican tells Of a
farmer who had corn 10 tassel six weeks
after planting. 1t was of the common
variety, soaked in solution of chloride of
lime eight hours. The corn planted the
sans length Of time, not subject to this
process, is hardly foot high. A pound
Of chloride Of line is sDffclent TO plant
forty acres cf corn.
Year: 1859

An ELEPHANr ENRAGED-The elephant be-
longing to Van Amburghs menngerie created
great excitement at Williamsburg, lately.
by performing sundry feats not announced in
the bills The New York News says:


A man had been employed to bring some
shavings to the menagerie. which were bro't
in wagon. The man drove into the tent
and while unloading his wagon the elephant
| was observed to row restless at the sight of
the horse, which had white blanket on
| The man was advised to take his horse away
but before he could do so the elephnnt nd


vanced few steps. and knocked the man
down with blow Of his trunk. He next
seized the horse by means of his trunk and
! injured him seriously lie then seized tbe
wagon, throwing it up in the air breaking it
to pieces. His anger was now fully aroused.
and proceeding to the cage of the prairie
wolf he smashed it with his trunk, and re-
leased him. Next in his way was the cmge OF
black bear. This cage was demolished, but
the bear was chained up and could not es-
cape. The cage of the zebra being next in
his way, he pushed it through the tent and
clear through the wall Of small shanty at
the back ofthe tent. Then leaving the tent
he got into the street, pursued by his keepers
and hundreds of people, none of whom were
able to cope with the enraged elephant He
did not molest pussers by, but seemed to have
a great aversion to horses, which he would
pursue as rapidly as he was able, being hop
pied with chnia connecting his tusks with
one Of his fore legs. He was finally secured
and thrown upon his side by means Of chains
which his keepers fastened to HE legs. Ap
plication wns made to the members ola Hook
and Ladder Company, who furnished the
keepers with long hooks. One of these was
run through one of his ears and twisted round
until the poor animal could not move his
head from pain Of the wound When he was
perfectly subdued he was heavily bound with
chains and taken back to the menagerie.


This is the same elephant that few years
since caused such havoc by escaping from his
keepers at Harlem.
Year: 1859

The following lines were written and composed
" an "Old Schoolmate." now living in Michigan
IN the death of HELEN f. BENHAM.
Helen. they tell me thou art gone,
That death has laid thee low
No more they hear thy gentle tone,
Thy place is vacant now.
They have laid thee in the silent grave
Where undisturbed you sleep
The grass above your head to wave,
And they are left to weep.
AS gently droops the summer flowers"
Once full of earthly pride
Thus in an unexpected hour.


You dropped your head and died.
A lovely flower to them was given,


And bloomed few short years
But now they trust it blooms in Heaven,
While they are left in tears.
'Twere wrong to wish the back again,
This unfriendly world to roam
Twas God, who freed thee from thy pain,
Twas God, who called thee Home.
Then sweety sleep, departed one
In thy cold and silent bed
The murmuring breezes as they come,
All whisper, Helen's dead.
Thy gentle spirit could not stay,


With that TO whom twas given;
"Being dead yet speaketh" seems to say,
There's room for all in Heaven"
Year: 1859

How Woodpeckers came into Norway.


In Dascent's Tales from the Morse is
thislegend Of a curious metamorphosis:


"In those days when our Lord and St.
Peter wandered upon earth, they came to
an old wife's house who sat baking. Her
name was Gertrude, and she had q red
mutch on her head. They had walked a
long way, and wereboth hungry, and our
Lord begged hard for a hammock to stay
their hunger. Yes, they should have il.
She took 4 tiny piece Of dough and roll
ed it out, but as she rolledit, it grew and
grew till it covered the whole griddle.
Nay, that was too big; they couldn't have
that. She took timer bit still; but when
it was rolled out, it covered the whole
griddle just the same, and that hammock
was too big she said; they couldn't have
that either. The third time she took a
still timer bit-so tiny you couldn't scarce
see it; but it was the same story over
again--the bsnnock was too big. "Welb""
said Gertrude, "I can't give you any
thing; you must go without for these
banuocks are too big.'' Then our Lord
waxed wroth, and said, ''Since you love





me so little as to grudge me q morsel Of
food, you shall have this punishment,
you shall become bird, and seek your
food between bark and hole, and never
geta drop to drink save when it rains"
He had scarce said the last word before
she turned into great black woodpecker,
or Gsftrdde's bird, and few from her
kneading-trough right up the chimney,
and till this very day you may see her
flying about with her red mutchon her
head, and her body all black, because Of
the SCOT in the chimney; and SO she hacks
and taps away at the trees for her food,
and whistles when rain is coming. for she
is ever athirst, and then she looks for q
drop to cool her tongue"
Year: 1859




We submit to the readers Of the EN-.
pire fthsy ever perused "lovier's billy
dux," which from strength Of attachment,
argument, inducement, caution. soft sold
er, and poetic fervor, exceeded the fol-
lowing veritable document, received by q
young lady ofthis oity from former ad-
mire,, and we may add. annoyance?


JANUARY, 10th A D 1859 Doniphan City
X T -a


Miss after so long atimo Of procrastina-
ton I take my pen in hand to in form
VOW Of my health I am not very well at
present for my livers and lungs are not
in agood condition but when these lines
come tohand hope that they may find
yow.enjoying good healthWell Deer I hav
binn travling agreate cal, since I saw VOW
and shall Starte for iowa Soon If all is
right. but shall not remain there long
for I am going on besiness and shall re.
turn soon Well Deer ! cant say that I hav
had such good times since I left VOW but
VOW can max that all right yet Well VOW
knew that wee cid have some good times
when we ware toGeather and wee mite
have now good times yete live would
try and if we can make each other hap
py in this wourld let us do SO Well Dear
I have been going to school and Iexpect
to 60 soon againt as nothing happens to
prevent me from SO doing Well I Want
VOW to write and tell me Whas you think
Of this Weather good or bad I want to
hear from, VOW and ifyow are married /
want VOW to write and lei me kno who
VOW married and how well you married
Well Dear I am not very stowt but my
health is better than when was there.
well VOW must excuse my bad writeing
for VOW know that my wrist is lame and
furthermore am writeing in a broom
shop and the Shop is vary cold SO .sbal
bid VOW adiew with these few lines ofpo-
try sod a5
Rownd is the world that has no end


So is my love to VOW my friend


My pen is bad my inks pale


My love to VOW will never fale sa
AS shore as the grass Groes around the


stump l9w QaM.af l'fgl
% VOW are my darling shugar lump
When this you see remember NEE g.a
And bair in mind atrusty friend is hard
to ind 7ii I'd .rtJa8. aisutg-
MY name is the same and ifyours are the
same too 654s.gll yy1a. 1.g7.e. arj
That it was in former Life o Will VOW be,
My Dear Dear Darling Wife rr
And if vow will remain trew m al
0 my dear Will wed VOW la.
If VOW will Wee are one y 5avIr.
And if not 1amuntun eas leg .I9
And if the word VOW do say ep1
I will appear some further day


And il the word VOW do not say.


Asingle life I will stay


Kansas Bard J. McA.
Year: 1859

EY The most wantonly wicked ap-
plication of good maxim was made by
man who said to himself-"B Business
before pleasure while kissing his own
wife previous to going out to kiss his
neighbor's. sua
Year: 1859

cs Bancroft has now ready for the press
and will soon publish the eighth volume of
bis History of the United States, bringing
his great work down to the time of the De-
claration OF Independence. It is now about
twenty five years since he issued his first vol
ume. II Ia said that he will not continue bis
history further down than l7s7-the period
of the adoption of the Federal Constitution,
ss be regards our present system of govern
ment as still an experiment.
Year: 1859

1t has hoated away from the beach and bay
Out of sight of tower and town,
An empty and battered boat,


But that boat would not 60 down.
The morning rose on the waters wide,


And the night fell cold and dark,
Yet ever on with the wind and tide


Drifted that battered bark.
The sail had passed from its broken mast,


And its painted pride was dim;
The sea-weed clung around its bows,


Which had been so sharp and trim,
Where were the merry mates and free


Who had gone with it afoat,
We never learned, but the worlds wide sea


Hath lives like that drifting boat
Lives that in early storms have lost


Anchor and sail and oar,
And never except on Lethe's shore,


Can come to mOorings more;
Out of whose loveless trustees days


The hope and heart have gone
Good ships 60 down in the stormy sea,


But those empty boats drift on!
They had hearts to sail in the winds eye once
They had hands to reef and steer,
With strength that would not stoOp to chance,
And faith that knew no fear;
But the years were long and the storms strong,
And the rainbow flag was furled,
And they that launched for the skies had grown
But the drift-wOod of the world.
Year: 1859

Not to be blessed with warrior strength,
To WELD the sword and wear the glaive,
Or rise to cOnqueror's fame at length,


Proclaim the good or make the brave.
To have the power to bide the scorn,


And rise above the hate and strife
Of those to wealth and title born,


Is the crown'd courage of our life.
What are the swords that prop king
The banners in his army's van
To strength of soul that dares to spring
And show the monarch in the man ?
Kings and the mightiest men of arms,


Strong as the heads of realms they bide,
Sport as they may with fortunes charms,
They are like leaves upon the tide.
In dim old sepulchers they lie,


The feast Of silence and decay,
While the true world-heart beateth high


And thrones itself upon to-day.
Give me the man whose hands have tossed
The corn-seed to the mellow soil,
Whose feet the forest depths have crossed,
whose brow is nobly crown'd with toll.
Year: 1859

SUFFERING IN THE MoUNrAINs-A party Of
persons lately arrived at MaripOsa, from
Mono Lake. The Gazette gives the following
particulars of the trip:


From the submits the party was eighteen
days getting down to the head of the Yo
Semitic valley; six of which they were with.
out provisions. They slept in the soft snow,
and their prospect was about as dismal as
that of any Arctic expedition. For FIVE days
prior to the giving out of subsistence they
had lived upon one scant meal per day. In
Yo Semitic, where there was no snow, thew
were so fortunate as to discover small
quantity of corn, that had been raised the
last summer. but not harvested, and O little
flour. Five of the party had their feet badly
frozen toes, and perhaps the feet of at least
two, will have to be amputated. When their
feet began to freeze, they took off and threw
away their boots, and travelled barefoot or
in stockings.
Year: 1859

SURVEYING PARrY.-The Surveyors of San
Joaquin have been engaged during the past
six weeks in running lines on the north side
OF the San Joaquin river. between Disap-
pointment slough and the Mokelumne river.
Much of the land Is described as of an ex-
cellent quality. growing fine grass and clover
and easily reclaimed, while some of it will
be fine ducking grounds for all time to come
Year: 1859

The MaripOsa Gazette says that Col. Ere
mont has about forty white men and nearly
as many Cinnamon employed on the new
road between Ridley's Ferry and the Valley,
and will employ about one hundred more
ChinanHen next week. Wethought he was
friend to free white labor.
Year: 1859

ABscoNDED wITG HIS WEE's sRsTER-We
learn from the Bee that nan named II. H.
Foster, who formerly did business as o wheel
right in Sacramento, left on the last steamer
with his wife's sister. 1t appears from what
we are told, says the Bee, that he has not
lived with bis wife for more than year or
eighteen months; and prior to that time they
did not live harmoniOusly, as his wife suspec-
ted and accused him Of being on too intimate
terms with her sister. He carried off the
only child, little girl. He left her childless
-husbandless-moneyless-sisterless wi
dow in everything but in name.
Year: 1859

HONEY LAKE VALLEY.-The amount of
stock in Honey Lake Valley, and the valleys
adjacent is variously estimated at from fif-
teen to twenty thousand head. In Honey
Lake Valley, says the Plumas Argus. the
severity Of the winter is making sad havoc
with the emigrant stock, and unless the
weather moderates soon the loss win not be
confined to emigrant cattle.