smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1867

an oflense that they assigned it to the
world, as one of the causes which i'm
PEELED them to declare their indepen-
denoe. Civil liberty and this kind of
martial law cannot endure together I;
the antagonism is irreconcilable, and
in the conflict one or the other must
perish. This nation, as experience has
proved, cannot always remain at
peace, and has no right to expect that
1t will always have wise and humane
laws, sincerely attached to the princi-
pies of the Constitution. Wicked
men, ambitious oi.power, with hate of
liberty and contempt of law, may fill
the places occupied by Washington
and Lincoln, and if this right is conce-
ded, and the calamities of war again


beiall us, the dangers to human life
and liberty arc frightful to contem-
plate. If our fathers had failed to
provide for just such a contingency,
they would have been false to the trust
reposed in them. They knew, the
history of the world told them, the ma
tion they were founding, be its exis-
tence short or long, would be involved
in war, how often or how long contin-
tinued human foresight could not tell,
and that unlimited power, wherever
lodged at such time, was specially
hazardous to freemen. For this and
other weighty reasons the secured the
inheritance they had fought to main
tain, by incorporatingin a written con
stitution the safeguards which time
had proved were essential to its pres
ervation. Not one Of these safeguards
can the President, or Congress, or the
Judiciary disturb, except the one con
corning the writ of habeas corpns.n
Year: 1867

The DEACON AND THE WAsPs.-A
worthy deacon ina town in Maine was
remarkable for the facility with which
he quoted Scripture on all occasions
The Divine Word was ever at his
tongues end, and the trivial as well as
important occurrences Of life furnished
occasion for quoting the language OF
the Bible. What was better, however,
the exemplary man always made his
quotations the standard of action.


One hot day he was engaged IN
moving with his hired man, who was
leading of, the deacon following in his
swarth, coming his opt quotations
when the man Suddenly sprang from
his place, leaving his swarth Just in
time to escape wasps nest.


"What is the matter Z" hurriedly
inquired the deacon.


"Wasps," was the laconic reply


'Pooh p said the deacon. scTho
wicked fee when no man pursueth,
but the righteous are as bold as a
lion," and taking the workman's
swarth he moved but n step when a
swarm Of wasps settled about his cars
and he was forced to retreat, with
many a painful sting and in great dis
comfture.


"Ah" shouted the other, with q
chuclSlo, "thc prudent man forseeth
the evil, and hidoth himself, but th,
simple pass on and are punished


The good deacon had found bis eQua
in making applications Of the sacred
writings, and thereafter was never
known to quote Scripture on trivia
occasions.-E'rchdago
Year: 1867




MEN WASTED.-Thc great want of
this age is men. Men who arc not for
sale. Men who are honest, sound
from centre TO circumference, true to
the hearts core Men who will con.
denim wrong in friend or foe, in them
selves as we'll as in others Men
whose conscienccs arc steady as the
needle TO the pole. Men who will
stand for the right if the heavens tot
ter and the earth reels. Men who can
tell the truth and look the world and
the devil right in the eye Men that
neither brag nor run. Men that noi-
ther flag nor finch Men who can
have courage without whistling for il,
and joy without shouting to bring it.
Men in whom the current of evcrlast-
ing life runs still, and dcep, and strong


Men too large for scctarian limits, and
too strong for scctarian bands. Men
who do not strive, nor cry, nor cause
their voices to be heard in tho streets,
but who will not fail or,be discouraged
till judgment be set in the earth Men
who know their message and tell ".
Men who know their duty and do II.
Mon who know their place and fll II.
Men who mind their own business.
Men who will not lie. Men who arc
not too lazy to work, nor too proud
10 be poor. Men who are willing TO
eat what they have earned, and wear
what they have paid or.-Inrcsiigefor.
Year: 1867

tiger, or rather tigrcss, coming down
upon me. turned sharp and cent q
shell smashing through her side and
She attempted TO rush up the bank
again, but fell backwards dead at my
feet. No sooner was this over than
the other came down 10 my right and
| gave him right and left, and sent
him staggering back He crossed the
bank and was going up the hill on tho
other side, and although / could not
sec him, heard his hinge body slip
and crush through the underwood, and
breathed again very much more freely.
| reloaded my guns, stopped down
and had jolly drink Of wator, Cor ~
tell you the truth, my tongue was
pretty dry, and ! should not be Ear
out ii said the want of moisture was
caused by something very like "blue
funk" 1t nearly required all the
nerve had. Well, alas was doom
ed TO still greater trial There was
my first wounded bird, of whom had


seen nothing so thought with one
| might venture out of my place, SO
got up or the bank as quickly as pos
sibIe, and ordered the beaters again TO
throw in a volley ofstones. This was
answered with roar; but old striped


Jacket would not come out. Irepeat-
ed the dose many times, but it was no
90. then thought he was so badly
hit he could not come out but man
in q tree said he was moving about,
bleeding very much. could not get
TO the tree, for ] should have had to
creep through the jungle. A last I
was told he had laid down In q vory
thick clump near a rising bit OF sand


] was not inclined TO lose him, and
did not like going in at him in such
awful ground However, after many
attempts to force him out, sent all
the beaters of, took three Of my keep
ers, with spare guns, and walked 20
ward the rising sand. threw in
stone after stone into the clump, but
not q sound i moved on, and, when
withing three yards Of the place, one
Of my men swore he could see him
under the covert. ] looked, and look
ed in vain | could see nothing; so,
catching up my single shell rifle, told
my men in a whisper, ~ will 90 on.
II put my hand behind me, one man
is TO stand fast, with my double rife
ready, the others to retreat slowly"
| moved on about two PAGES, when /
thought saw my friend, and put my
hand behind me, knowing that when
once tiger sees any one move away
after he is discovered he charges at
once. 1t did not take a second. l
barely got my hand back on my rife
when the huge beast was on me. /
had to throw my body back TO get my
rifle up without its touching him. The
blood and breath from bis mouth spat-
tered all over my face, hands and neck.
But, by Gods goodness, was steady,
and pulled as he came on. The shell
entered the brow just over the eye,
burst in the brain, and literally blew
his skull TO pieces. He fell dead, with
his formidable paws not four inches
from my feet. i thanked God and
sat down, when a yell from all the
beaters (some 5000 refreshed me.
Year: 1867

A few nights since an army officer under the
rank of captain, standing in front of one of
our city hotels, deeply medtating on something
only known to himself when he was addressed
by colored individual who asked if that was
Captain c. Upon the captain answering in the
affirmative, he was informed by the gentleman
OF color, that there female who wished to
see him at the corner.


The brave captain had been struck somewhere
IN the region of the heart with an arrow from
Cuplds bow; ; and he had fixed on that very
night to ask the question q Will you have me?"
But still he was ready for some romance if it
came IN his way He accordingly followed the
dark individual to the corner above and there
saw lady deeply yelled, so that not particle
of her face could be seen


When he came up she asked him to follow
her, and led the way to public square, where
she informed him that if he would be willing to
be blindfolded and led some little distance he
would meet the lady he intended to propose to
that night, and, furthermore, minister would
be IN attendance, ready to pronounce them one
and inseparable. Now the captain had fixed
himself all up for the occasion, so there was no
difficulty in his dress or looks yet he did not
like the blindfolding part out he finally con-
sented, and dainty little handkerchief was
placed over his eyes, sweetly scented and work
ed all over.


His fair pilot then took his arm and escorted
him around corners, and finally stopped at neat
little house, rang BELL and the next minute
the captain was in the presence of large COM
pany there assembled, he thought, to see the
wedding. When the handkerchief was removed
from his eyes he found himself the center of OBJ
servation. At one end of the room (Which
will state here a cergyman's house) was
minister all ready TO do his part of the arrange
ment. In few moments the door opened,
and in came the bridc-elect, all dressed for the
occasion, but with heavy mask on, which she
informed the captain would be removed as soon
as he had promised to ~ love- honor and keep
her for better worse


They stood up, the captain all anxiety, and
the minister commenced. The captain made his
vows, and when the lady was about to do the
same she removed her mask and said to the
tonished and mortified groom q John could
not let you have another wife while was lv-
ing The captain looked down, and who
should it be but his wife, who he thought
out West, and not dreaming that she was near
but she having heard of the attention he had
been paying to the lady in question, had
come on and arranged the plan which was
ried out. In another moment in rushed little
curly-headed boy. crying, Papa papa" The
captain who had come doing something
bad, finding he could not get out of the scrape,
gave in and started away with his lawful wife
and little one but before doing so he asked to
see the fair conductor who brought him to the
house, and you can imagine his amazement when
the lady stepped up, and he found it to be the
very lady to whom he had intended to pop the
question that night. The curtain dropped here
and the last we saw of the captain he step
ping into carriage with his wife and child.
Year: 1867

mhlch We would respectfully invite your at
tention.


The cause in which we are engaged is one
OF vital interest to the citizens OF our county,
and we appeal to you, as christian men and
women, to lend us your aid. Remember, that
those upon whom the burden and heat of
the day now rests, are passing away; their
places will soon be vacant, in the household,
the church and the state. Upon whom then
shall the duties, we now perform, fall? Our
children must soon stand, where we now
stand-they must occupy the places We now
Inland our future glory, or shame, will be
determined by them. We shall be govern
ed by the boys growing up around US. Our
rulers are to be chosen from among them,
and upon us rests the responsibility of deci-
ding what they shall be- Shall we give
them religious and moral training to pre-
pare them tor the duties before them? Or
shall they run wild until manhood overtakes
them with its weight Of care? Who would
trust vessel to an unskillful mariner, or an
untaught crew? Then, would we ask you,
shall zee not now rise up and labor and let
our earnest efforts be expended in endeavor
ing to place that nursery of the church the
Sabbath School, within the reach of every
child in our county? Let US endeavor, as
christians, to uphold the kingdom of Christ
in the world among the children. And how
can this be better accomplished than by lead
ing them to the Sabbath School? Come,
then, to the work. Join with US in the labor
of love, and the blessings of heaven must
rest upon it. Work, while there is need for
it. until every child among us shall be gath
cred into the Sunday School army-'ti loud
Hosannas shall rise from every hill and dell
in our land


With this object in view, we propose to
hold series Of meetings, in various parts
of the county, the first of which will be
held in Curwensville, in January next. Due
notice of the day will be given. And all
interested in the cause are earnestly invited
to attend Come, Brothers and Sisters, and
help us. A. NJ. HILLS,


GEo. w. RHEEM, Sec'y. PREs'r.


Clearfeld, October, 1867.
Year: 1867

The good man is the very salt of society,
and fortunately for almost all communities
at least one such man is to be found every
where. He may or may not be the most
prominent, the most wealthy, the best edu-
seeted citizen fhis neighborhood but be his
surroundir gs what they may, he is the Gen.
ire of distinct class of influence indispen-
sable to the veal of society. He stands firm
when others are yielding /; the farthest re-
moved from dishonest tricks or heated
strifes, he is composer of differences. Al
ways happy in the consciousness of his own
integrity, he is calm when others around
him are violent and alarmed; invariably care
full in forming and expressing his opinions,
his judgment is deferred to when the heats
of passion have subsided and men wish to
ascertain the path of safety. One such per-
son in a community, one such Christian In
a church, is of more value than thousands
of silver and gold. Great multitudes of
people cannot have, in the straight sense,
minds of their own. They either lack orig
inal capacity or training, and they must
have some such men insensibly to think for
them, to be their moral, or spiritual guide.


He becomes a reservoir which is constant


ly tapped for spiritual knowledge. Lesser
and feebler souls take hold of his strength
and are held up by it. BY the riches of a
single rich man, employed in manufacture
or commerce, hundreds of poor families
may live and so there may issue from the
heart OF one good man streams of religious
wealth which will flourish and indirectly sus-
tain very many who are not so much pro-


ducers as consumers in the religious world.
Year: 1867

Far away in the icy North, in Labrador
and Greenland, in Iceland and Norway, and
other cold countries, lives this bird so noted
Tor the soft down it gives us !; and, there 1t
lays its eggs and matches out its young.
You see mother bird take her duck lings
into the chilly water, from which the brief
Northern summer has melted the ice. She
Is going to feed them on the shelf and
sea urchins that she can pick up from the
edges of the rocks and in shallow places.


You think they must be very cold. But
they are not, God has covered them with
warm down and feathers, and they are COM
thing about the way in which the Elder down
is obtained? Most of it comes from Nor
way and Iceland, and from the Fern Islands
lying Oft the coast Of Scotland.


The Elder duck builds her nest of fine
weeds and mosses on the ground or among
rocks, wherever they can find little hol-
low ; and these nests are often so clio e to-
gether that man can hardly walk among
them without stepping on the eggs. The
breasts of the birds are covered thickly with
the softest down, and as soon as they have
laid their eggs, they then pluck out enough
of :his down to cover them warmly, for there
Is not sufficient heat in their bodies to hatch
the eggs without help from the down and
besides, they have to leave their nests some
times to get food, and then if il was not for
the covering of down the eggs would be fro
zen.


The people who live away in the far Nor
thern countries, where these ducks make
their nests and hatch their young, know "a
bout these down-covered eggs, aud as soon
as they find them well wrapped up, take a
way both eggs and the down. Then the
mother bird lays another nest full of eggs,
and second time strips,th down from her
breast to cover them and keep them warm


A second time the eggs and down are ia
ken away. Poor bird Still she is not dis
couraged, and lays third nest full of eggs !;
but she has no more down with which to
protect them from the cold. What is to be
done? Will the eggs be frozen? Not so !;
for now the male bird comes and picks the
downy treasures from his breast and lays
them over the eggs. This time the down
gatherers leave the nest unharmed, so that
brood of ducks may be Matched that will
lay eggs and supply down another year


Each nest supplies about half a pound of
down, with which the people of Germany
and Northern Europe stuff ed-coverings
that are used in winter instead of blankets.


This Elder down is so very light that the
weight of three ounces will Eli hat
Year: 1867

Jox says that if man feels much like
getting married, yet imagines he ought not
to, the best remedy he knows is to help one
of bis neighbors to move house full of
furniture-borrow about nine of his children
and hear them cry IF that fails, build up
a fire of damp wood and when the smoke
in the room is thickest, hire a woman to
scold him about four hours. If he can
stand all these, he had better get married
the next day-give his wife the pants and
be the silent partner in the great firm of
matrimony. The remedy is severe, but as
every man is liable to these things after he
yokes himself, it would do no harm to try it
before
Year: 1867

Ages upon ages az o the tide was out, and
the muddy beach lay smooth as this sheet OF
paper before me- A cloud passed over the
sky, and shower of big rain or hail came
down, and pitted the mud as thick as leaves
on the trees A strong wind drove the
drops, so that the impressions were little
onesided They had written their short
history as plain as my pen can write and
even the direction from the wind blew was
recorded Some great frogs and lizards
which used to live there, come hopping o.
yer the mud, and left their tracks also deep
ly printed on the shore. By and by the
great waves came softly stealing up, and COW
cred the whole surface with 6ne sand, and
SO the tracks were seen no more for ages
upon ages. The clay hardened into solid
rock, and so did the sand and after these
thousands of years had passed away, some
masons came upon the curious inscription.
Men of science, who are skilled in reading
these stony leaves of God great book, read,
as plainly as if they had been present, the
story of that passing shower. 1t had been
written on the softest clay, but it was read
on the solid rock. So your hearts to-day
are like the soft clay. Everything stamps
them, but the stamps are not so easy to re-
move. They will be there when you are
grown up to be man or woman. ., what
deep, dark prints the bad works of e.
vii associates make? But how lovely it will
be to recall the record which kind and low
ing action make upon the soul
Year: 1867

The Monongaheia Republican says "Not
very long since, the young and beautiful
wife OF one of our citizens was called to her
final account, leaving her husband disconso-
late, sad, bereft She was buried in the
adjacent cemetery, and the husband return
ed to his desolate hoine-but not to forget
the loved one. She is present with him by
day in his spirit and in his dreams at night.
One popularity of his dreams, and one that
haunted him, being repeated night after
night, was, that the spirit of his wife came
10 his bedside and told him that the under
taker had not removed from her face the
square piece of muslin or napkin, which had
been used to cover her face after death, but
had screwed down her coffin lid with it upon
her; that she could breathe in her grave,
but was unrest on account of the napkin.
lie tried to drive the dream away but it
abided with him by night and troubled him
by day. He sought the consolation of reli-
gion; his pastor prayed with him and as
sured him that it was wicked to indulge
such morbid fancy. 1t was the subject of
his own petition before the Throne of Grace.
but still the spirit came and told. anew the
story of her sufcca tiorl.., / n Despair he
sought the undertaken, MIR. Dickey, who
told him that the napkin had not been re-
moved, but urged him to forget the circum-
stance, as it could not Be aty possible annoy
snce to inanimate clay. While the gentle
nan frankly acknowledged this, he could
not avoid the apparition, and continual
stress upon his mind began to tell upon his
health. At length he determined to have
the body disinterred and visited the under
Ia ker Tor that purpose. Here he was met
with the same advice, and persuasion, and
convinced once more of his folly, the haunt
ed man returned to his home. That night,
more vivid than ever, more terribly real
than before, she came to his bedside, and
upbralded him for his want of affection, to
remove the cause of all her suffering. The
next night, with friend, he repaired to the
sexten, who was prevailed upon to accom-
pany them, and there. by the light of the
cold, round moon, the body was lifted from
It's narrow bed, the coffin lid was unscrewed
and the napkin removed from the face of
the corpse. That night she came to his
bedside once more, but for the last time
Thanking him for his kindness, she pressed
her cold lips to his cheek, and came again
no more. Reader, this is true story; can
EOu explain the mysteries of Dreams?
Year: 1867

DYING-There is dignity about that go
ing away alone, we call dying-that wrap
ping the mantle of Immortality about US !;
that putting aside with a pale hand azure
curtains that are drawn around this cradle
of world that venturing away from home
for the first time in our lives for we are
not dead-there is nothing dead to speak OF,
and we only go off seeking foreign countries
not laid down Oh the map we know about
There must be lovely lands somewhere star
ward, for none ever return that go thither,
and we very much doubt if any would if
they could
Year: 1867

Sanford Conover, the individual who was
for SO long a time a source of items for
the reportorial corpse. is now learning the
trade of shoemaker in the Albany peniten-
tiary. He varies his work with occasionally
writing a petition for his pardon on the sole
of a shoe
Year: 1867

The Executive Committee of the Nation
al Union Club OF the city of Philadelphia,
have passed decided resolutions in favor of
the nomination of General Ulysses S. Grant,
as the Republican candidate for President
of the United States
Year: 1867

The Democrats of Midllesex county,
New Jersey, have nominated rebel Colo
mel for the Legislature. These are the on
ly kind of soldiers for whom the Democracy
have any respect. He will, of course, get
the full Democratic vote.
Year: 1867

A BAD TEMPER. bad temper is reg
ular curse to its possessors, and its influence
is most deadly wherever it is found. It's
kind of martyrdom to be obliged to live
with one of a complaining temper. Tohear
a continual round of complaints and muir
murings, to have every pleasant thought
scared away by his evil spirits, is in truth
a sore trial It is like the sting OF scor-
pion, or a perpetual nettle, destroying your
peace, and rendering lite burden


Wonderful Observation-Disclosures ayoung
man turns into beer saloon.
Year: 1867

% The Memphis Avalanche
says that a few days since a negro
woman becoming tired support
ing her little two year old child,
took it into the woods at Herman
do and dashed out his brains.
Hogs were discovered eating up
the remains of the crime. The
woman is now in prison.
Year: 1867

- At no moment of difficulty
does a husband know his own
utter helplessness, draw so closely
to his wife's side for comfort and
assistance, as when he wants a
button sewed on his shirt collar.
Year: 1867

~ The great blessings OF man
kind are within us, and within
our reach, but we shut our eyes,
and like people In the dark, we
fall foul upon the very thing We
search for, without finding it. ? =