smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

Many apparently trivial traits in the DISPOSE
ton of animals, which are Of great use to
woodsmen, are omitted in books of natural
history chiefly from ignorance, no doubt
One of these is the disposition of a horse,
when frightened, to run against the wind, if
any is blowing Thousands of horses which
would be otherwise irrevocably lost annually, on
this frontier, are recovered by observing this
simple rule in pursuit. All animals have SINH
lar inexplicable traits in their disposition; and
men are 10 exception to the rule. White
men, when they are scared, viii not retreat in
the same direction in which they came. The In
dams know this, and lay their plans accordingly;
and many gallant company has been cut to
pieces, simply from ignorance of this fact
But those who understand these matters, when
they find it necessary to make hasty retreat
always do so in straight line, and in direc-
ton different from the one il which they
came.


We frequently see notices in northern pa
pers of children being lost Such things rare
ly occur on this frontier; though children Of
ten wander, and there are but few neighbors to
help search for them. Perhaps the cause of
humanity might be subserved in such search
es. AIRY child will make trail or track plain
enough to be followed by almost any person of
good sight, although he may not have had any
previous experience. Go to the place where
the child was last seen, and look for the trail
glancing along the ground with sharp scan
ming look when ii is found, faint kind OF
line will be seen, which may be followed at "a
fast walk, until well defined track occurs
If the trailer stops to look for the track, he
will probably loose the trail, and must go back
and take it up again. with the same scanning
glance along the ground The trail which
hunters and Indians follow skifully, is not so
much composed of tracks or footprints, as Of
indescribable little signs such as leaves and
blades of grass bent or turned, twigs broken,
and other things so small and faint, that they
cannot be shown to any one yet which, when
all put together, make kind of line along the
ground, which line can be seen by rapid
glancing look, but which will disappear when
looked at steadily. The trail of a human being
is more easily followed than that Of any other
creature, because there is kind of purpose in
it, different from the trail Of irrational animals
A child will change its course around thick
clumps of bushes, and go nearly straight where
the ground is open. If it is scared and run
ming it will run from the wind if much blow
ing, and from any voice it hears it is not good
policy to call much on lost child's name.


NJ k


GaYT40. Try March 1880
Year: 1859

on that day at Wellington, l am 10 90 II, .iaiI


six months. and pay fine of a 'thousand dol


lars, according to the Fugitive Slave law, and


such is the protection the laws of this country
afford me, | must take upon myself the respon-
slbility Of self protection, when'I come to be
claimed by some peljured wretch as his slave.


And III that trying hour I would have 9th
ers do to me, as l would call upon You, your
Honor, TO help me as | would call upon you
ITO the District Attorney to help me; and
upon you, Ito Judge Bliss and upon you Ito
his counseD so help me God! stand here to
say that will do all | can, for any man thus
seized and held, though the inevitable penalty
Of six months Imprisonment and one thousand
dollars fine for each otfense hangs over me =
We have all a common humanity, and YOU all
would do that your manhood would require
it and no matter what the laws might be-.
you would honor yourself for doing it, while
your friends and your chiitrerto all genera
tons would honor YOU for doing it, and every
good aud honest man would say you had done
rtgh!i
Year: 1859

What is crime? A wrctched vagabond
travelling from place to place in fruitless en-
deavor to escape from justice, who is constantly
engaged in hot pursuit foe to virtue and hap
piness, though at times the companion of poor
! innocence, which is too often made to suffer fol
the guilty.
Year: 1859

What is thought? A fountain from which
flows all good and evil Intentions mental
fluid, electrical in the force and rapldlty OF It's
movements, silently flowing unseen within It's
own secretavenue yet it is the controlling pow
er of all animated matter, and the chief main
spring of all our actions.
Year: 1859

What is happiness? A butterfly that roves
from flower to flower in the vast garden OF eX-
istenee, and which is eagerly pursued by the
multitude in the hope of obtaining the prize
yet it continually eludes their grasp.
Year: 1859

What is fashion? A beautiful envelope for
mortality, presenting glittering and polished
exterior, the appearance of which gives no Ger
tain indication of the real value OF what Is
contained therein.
Year: 1859

All men are not born with genius, but every
man can acquire purpose, and purpose Is the
backbone and marrow Of genius-nay, L can
scarcely distinguish one from the other For
what. is genius? Is it not an impassioned pre-
dilection for some definite art orstudy, to which
the mind converges all its energies, each thought
or image that is suggested by Nature, OF learn
ing. solicitude, or CONVERGE, being habitually
and involuntarily added to those ideas which
we are ever returning to the same central polnt
so that the mind is not less busily applying
when IT seems to be the most released from ap
plication.
That is genius and that is purposc-Ihe on'
makes the great artist or poet, the other the
great man of action. Ind lcith purpose come
the grand secret Of all acor7dly success, whlcf
some men call will, but which l would rather
call eanraestacss If were asked, from my eN
perience of life, to say what attribute most rep
resented the mind of others, or most command
ed fortune, should say earnestness.
Year: 1859

SOLDIER sHoT.-The Memphis Enquirer of FRI.
day last says:


r, We learn on day before yesterday private in the
B. Ford, was accidentally shot by comrade, whilst
the latter was cleansing pistol The weapon went
off in his hands. The unfortunate man was inferred
at this place on yesterday evening.
Year: 1859

Through the courtesy Of the gentlcmanlv
captuin and excellent aud efficient driver, /
was permitted to mount the leader of the
team at a station where We stopped to
change horses. The team consisted Of three
spirited iron greys. and the one mounted,
expressed his delight at having me on his
back, by bearing his weight on his fore legs,
and playfulIy extending his heels at an angle
of forty five degrees, giving forward
movement to your correspondent, only
checked by the animals ears. was half
inclined to dismount. but the captain cried.
" all aboard,' the crack Of the drivers
whip was followed almost instantaneously
by tingljng sensation near the seat of my
trowsers, the >tab!e-boy shouted, my gallant
grew resumed his antics, aud we were under
motion. Eancv for one mOmsnt the pecu-
hartics Of my position. was seated on
the bare back OF the iron grey, and while we
dashed up the towpath at the rate of FIVE
miles ag hour, the mud, with which the tow
path was covered to the depth of about six


inches, dashed up my trowsers legs at the
rate of several tunes Il minute. Whenever
we passed ''Combo" or "Big Line"
team. the saucv driver wonld give me
friendly cut with his whip by way of intro
ductiOn, aud the packet driver had an
ingenious but uncomfortable way of touch
ing me up with his whip-cracker, to let me
know he was still along and willing TO see
me through. Such dlsinterestedness was
really quite touching. Once looked back
to demonstrate, but received a rap on the
head from a low bridge, which taught me
to keep coed lookout ahead. At every
short bend in the tow path there was an
inward dread, as Cato says, of falling into
naught. by diving into the canal, but was
spared that innicton. We soon gained n
speed Of twenty-five knots an hour-l
judged by the number of times knot on
the end of the drivers whip.lash came in
contact with the scat of my pants. Of
course there was no boiler to explode, as
there might be on locomotive, but | was
b onn up about four hundred times during
me up for getting TO far over the bank: the
captain bowed me up for making the team
90 too fast. and was blown up by the
passengers for retarding their progress
By the time we reached the next station for
changing ho-scs, both myself and the team
were pretty nearly " "blowed.' As dis
mounted, gave my late charger an af'ec-


tionate glance, for tenderness had sprung
up between us during our companionshp.


With me the tenderness was most apparent
on that portion of my body which came in
contact with the animals back. and with
the horse it manifested itself in a number
of raw spots along his back bone. As
sprang from the tow-path to the boat, the
driver kindly refreshed me with another
cracker, and retired to my berth to reflect


upon my novel ride Correspondent Of the
| Clsreldnd Democrat.
Year: 1859

The following most touching fragment OF
letter from dying wife to her husband, we
think we have printed heretofore, but it is
something that should be read more than
once and we venture to bring it before our
readers again. 1t was found by the hus-
band some months after the wifes death
between the leaves of religious volume
which she was very fond of perusing. The
letter, which was literally dim with her tear
marks, was written long before her hus-
band was aware that the grasp of fatal dis
ease had fastened upon the lovely form OF
his wife, who died at the early age of nine
teen:


When this shall reach your eye, dear
George, some day when you are turning
over the relics of the past, ! shall have
passed away forever, and the cold white
stone will be keeping its lonely watch over
the lips you have SO often pressed and the
sod will be growing green that shall hide
forever from your sight the dust of one who
has often nestled close TO your warm heart.
For many long and sleepless nights, when
all beside my thoughts were at rest, have
wrestled with consciousness of approaching
death, until at last it forced itself upon my
mind and although to you and to others it
might seem but the nervous imagining OF a
girl, yet, dear George, it is not SO Many
weary nights have 1 passed in the endeavor
to reconcile myself to leaving you, whom


loved so well, and this bright world Of sun
shine and beauty; and hard indeed it is to
struggle on silently and alone, with the
sure conviction that am about to leave all
forever and 90 down into the dark valley !!
But know in whom have believed and
leaning on His arm, / fear no evil Do
not blame me for keeping even all this from
you. How could subject you, of all 9TH
ers, to such sorrow as / feel at parting,
when time will soon make it apparent to
you could have wished to live, if only
TO be at your side when your time shall
come, and pillowing your head on my breast,
wipe the death damps from your brow, and
usher your departing spirit into its Makers
presence, embalmed in woman's holiest
prayer. But it is not to be and | submit.
Yours is the privilege of watching through
lone and dreary nights for the spirits final
flight and Of transferring my sinking head
from your breast TO my Savior's bosom
And you shall share. my last thought, and
the last faint pressure of the hand, and the
last feeble kiss shall be yohrs, and even
when flesh and heart shall have failed me.
my eyes shall rest on yours uutil glazed in
death; and our spirits shall hold one last
communion until gently fading from my view
the last on earIh--you shall mingle with
the first bright glimpses of the unfading
elories of the better world. where partings
are unknown. Well do know the spot,
my dear George, where you will lay me
ofien we stood by the place, aud as we watch /
ed the mellow sunset, as il glanced in quiv-
ering flashes through the leaves, and burn
ished the grassy m1unds around US With
Year: 1859

stripes of FURNISHED gold, each, perhaps,
has thought that some day one of us would
come alone, and whichever it might be,
your name would be on the stone. But we
loved the spot, and | know you win love it
none the less, when you see the same quiet
sunlight linger and play among the grass
that grows over your Mary's grave. /
know you will go there, and my spirit will
be with you then, and whisper among the
waving branches-'I am not lost, but gone
before. ;"
Year: 1859

Gs-A polished surface of metal has often
been used in place OF a hone or strop for Civ
ing fine, smooth edge to cutlery; but owing
to its rigidity it could only come. in contact
with the entire level surface Of the blade, or
edge, of the instrument to be sharpened, rem
dering it less efficient for general use than
the flexible leather strop. Milo A. Holcomb,
of Connecticut, has patented an 'Improved
Metallic Razor Strop," in which he com bines
the fine, smooth qualities Of polished steel
with the flexible adaptation of its surface to
any desired engle with the edge of the blade.
Year: 1859

COOP HuMoR.--Good humor is the clear blue
sky of tho soul, on which every star of talent
will shine more clearly, and tnc sun Of genius
encounter no clouds in its passage. 1t is the
most exquisite beauty Of ino face; u redeem
ing grace in homey one. II is like the re-
freshing green in the landscape, harmOnEing
with every color, mellOwing the glories Of the
bright and softening the hue of the dark side
of the picture; or like flute in full concer,
Of instruments, sound, not at first discovered
by the ear, yet filling up the breaks in the
concord of sweet sounds" with its deer, rich
melody.
Year: 1859

Forty eight guano islands, in the Pacific Ocean
and elsewhere. have become the property of citi
zens of the United States and have been recognized
by the Government as pertaining to its territories
under the act of Congress approved August 49, 1856
Most OF these islands have excellent hat bors and
the quantity and accessibility of the guano on many
OF them Is placed beyond doubt. What remains to
be demonstrated is that it has the necessary oual
ties as manure
Year: 1859

FREE PEws IN CHURCHEs.-The Rev. W. H.
determined upon giving up the pew rents, from
which his income is derived, and trusting for the
future entirely to free church and the ofertory.
The reverend gentleman, in his address on the sub
ject, says:


at has been continual cause of grief to me that
so few of the working classes are ever be found
within the houses of God in London, and the other
large cities and towns of our land. | have heard
many reasons assigned for their absence. But the
reason working men themselves (surely the best
judges on this point) have not unfrequently given
is of this nature, we don't like to 90 where we
don't appear to be wanted-where we have to sit in
seats marked 'free seats 'for the poor and
where we are made to feel our poverty more keenly
by invidious distinctions This is what working
men say; and must confess there is a great deal
of truth in the comnlaint
Year: 1859

A STARTLING SrYLE.-It being an
nounced that the Partisan ladies have
adopted the style of dress Of the Court OF
the First Napoleon, the editor of the Bos-
ton Post has hunted up a description Of
it which is as follows:


The dress was loose muslin robe,
drawn up and fastened at the right knee
so as to show the whole Of the leg. The
robe passed under the lift breast, which
was left entirely naked, and was fastened
above the lift hip. Both arms were max
ed from the shoulders; their length was
relieved only by two bracelets. The ef-
feet Of this dress | shall not attempt to
describe, but the gentlemen all allowed
that it was fascinatinating in the extre-
me. The ladies' have dispensed entirely
with the chemise, as the folds of it; they
say, prevent their elegant shapes from
being seen; and the taffeta robes they
wore are suited to display every grace in
the most striking manner.
Year: 1859

short period, when the angel gIrl gath
cred the children around her again and
said "Hark another young child is CON-
ing from the earth n--And the angel at
the gate threw open the golden portals,
and again they gave forth the melodious
sound-and in the distance was seen the
Angel of Death, leading little girl
through the dark way, and as they en-
tered the gate again the flowers flashed
with new brightness and sent forth their
sweetest odors and the light grew more
golden, and the rainbow-hued birds flew
about with songs OF Joy, and the trees
bent their boughs with luscious fruit.


The gate closed, and could see that
the little girl carried something in her
hand-it was lily branch. AS she drew
near the bower, little Clara suddenly
bounded forward and caught her in her
arms, crying out, "It is Lily my little
sister Lilyl" Lily clasped her arms
tightly about Clara, and no longer looked
frightened--and Clara took her to the
angel and to her own young companions,
and they all welcomed her with delight.


The time was very short when there
came again the musical sound of the
opening of the golden gate; the bowers,
the birds, the air, the trees, all gave their
greetings.


The Angel of Death passed through
the dark valley into the heavenly garden,
carrying an infant very carefully and ten
derly on her bosom. She drew near Clara,
and laid the infant in her arms. The
baby opened her eyes as though from q
sweet sleep, and knew Clara and laughed
out right merrily-and she saw Lily and
stretched out her little arms to twine
them around her neck, and Clara and Lily
rejoiced over the coming baby Anna
Indeed; there was more Joy amongst all
the children at her arrival than they had
felt before, for she had passed through
that golden gate so young that she had
fewer earthly stains about her.


'Let us crown her with flowers !" said
one. "Let her play with our white lambp
said another. "Let us take her to sail in
the lily-boats !" cried another. "Let us
ask our dear guardian angel to sing to
her!" Little Anna was tenderly laid on
the lap of the guardian angel, and the
hearts of the three sisters overhowcd with
perfect joy.


That angel was once on this earth, .
heavenly-minded girl. She had loved
young children very dearly, and when she
died, her occupation in heaven was to in
struct and watch over the children and
infants who came from earth to that par
adisical garden. If the mother, who
mourned so deeply over her three lost
treasures, could have but seen them there,
she would have exclaimed
Year: 1859

The Tor OF HIS PROFESSION. - If we
were asked what physician stood at the
top of his profession, wo would say ID
was the gentleman who was In the habit
of attending patients on monument.
Year: 1859

CouRrEsY.-No woman can be lady
who would wound or mortify another
No matter how beautiful how refined, how
cultivated she may be, she is in reality
coarse, and the innate vulgarity of her
nature manifests itself here. Uniformly
kind, courteous and polite treatment Of
all persons, is one mark ola true woman,
and true man also.
Year: 1859

EEA traveller once arrived at vii
lage inn after hard days travel, and be-
ing very tired requested room to sleep
in; but the landlord said they were en-
tirely full and that it was utterly impossi-
bic to accommodate-that his wife had
to sleep on the sofa and himself on the
floor, but would see what his wife could
do for him. The good woman, on being
applied to, said there was a room which
he might occupy, provided he would
agree to the conditions, viz: to enter the
room late in the dark and leave it early
in the morning, to prevent scandal, as
the room was occupied by lady. This
he agreed to do. About two o'clock in
the morning an awful noise was heard in
the house, and our friend the traveller was
tumbling heels over head down stairs
The landlord, upon arriving at the spot,
inquired what the matterwas. The trav-
eler calculated, as soon as he was able to
speak:


"Oh Lord that woman's dead ~


"I know that" replied the landlord,
but how did you find it out ?"
Year: 1859

Standing upon this mountain side, you look
Fair down and round on forest beyond forest,
Sweeping through wales profound and up steep hill
Where every leafby Autumn's alchemy
IL changed TO some rich gem. The maple here
Shoots up its ruby spire, and then the oak
Stands all Transmitted into Furnished gold.
The woodbine hangs festoons Of purple there
Around the yellow sycamore, and here
A shower Of amethysts and sapphrcs bright
Suspended glltters on the drapery
or the majestic elm. How glorious all
Beneath this unobscured October sun
And now breeze sets every tint In motion
Lakes, cataraets, and streams Of painted leaves,
Are heaving, flowing In the admring light
The wild birds sing as IL their sense partook
The rapture Of the poet, and his speech
Essays to utter the unspeakable
Year: 1859

Is the principle upon which they are determined to
do business, and they will confne themselves eScu
sye'y 10 the Boot Shoe and Leather trade To their
stock of goods for Ladies they would call par
tcular attention They have constantly in their en-
ploy the best Of workmcn, keep the best of French
Calf ard Patent Leather, and can and do make as
good Boo. can be bought in the state.
Year: 1859

Our love was well divided


It's sweetness following where they went,


Its anguish stayed where did.


"Well done OF God TO halvc the LOT,


And give them all the sweetnes.


To us the empty room and cot


To them the Heavens completeness
To US the graves-to them tho rows


The mystic palmtrees spring Ia
To us the scence In the house,


To them the choral singing"
"And now, does Jenny like the story?"
l asked


Jenny looked up with thoughtful eyes.
"But do you believe that little Clara and
Lily and Anna went to garden like
that when they died, and were taught by
an angel, and were so very happy"
II do believe SOL"
Year: 1859

The bill submitting the question of calling
Convention to frame new Constitution
has passed both Houses of the Legislature,
been approved by the Governor, and is now
matter Of general congratulation among
men who understand the full Importance Of
simplifying the crude organic law the State
has labored more than prospered under since
California became of the Union. On the
event we beg to congratulate the voters OF
Placer county, who for years, in an over.
whelming majority, have favored the meas
ure, and stand recorded by their vote 1857,
as more generally committed to its favor
than the people of any other community in
the State. At the present time there is
more unanimity in favor of the measure than
then, and if we are not very much deceived in
appearances the vote at the coming election
will decide very largely for a Convention.
This year the question will not be shirked by
political parties as in 1957-the question has
risen to too much Importance to be given
the go-by-conventions will be obliged to
give it notice.


The ball should be set in motion at pr-
mary meetings, and never stopped until in
dorsed by conventions and at the ballot box.
The Democratic party has an important duty
to perform in the premses-it is the dom-
nant and reliable party of the State; the one
upon whom rests the responsible legislation,
and the shaping of the destinies of Calfor-
mat should take upon itself the care Of
this measure; for with it's Endorsement and
support the Convention will become fixed
fact.


What course the tangled web of opposi
ton in the State may see fit to pursue to-
ward the measure we are not apprised, (ur-
ther than to know that many individuals are
heartily in favor); indeed we are Indifferent
to the action and opinions of organizations
that at every step of their existence have
only further earned the title of impractical
bles. The measure is safe enough in the
hands of the Democracy-n their keeping
it will be success.