smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1860




When first went into the country near
the Bay OF Natal, things were very differ
ent to what they are now; there were not
nearly so many Cafres in the country, and
there were no white men except our own
party. Game was plenty; and many a
monster which has now soughtmore secure
retreats, was then to be seen in the neigh
borhood of the bay. l built myself bee-
hive shaped hut, like one of the Cafres,
on the open ground near the Umbilo, and
cultivated little piece of ground near it.
l had lived about three weeks in this place,
when Hottentot, Plache came to me one
day in great fright, and told me that he
had seen "the biggest snake that ever
was;" that it had crossed the Umbilo river,
and entered some long reeds about half
mile from my hut. He said that the
snakes head was on the land ON one side
whilst the tail was on the other side of the
Umbilo. Now, this river is not very broad /;
but if what the man told me was true, the
snake must have been over thirty feet in
length. 1 knew that species of beacon
stricter was to be found here, for | had
shot one sixteen feet long as was coming
from the old colony to the bay.


1 did not trouble myself to look after
the snake, for there was large swamp
with long reeds extending for more than
a mile along the banks of this river, with
cover enough to conceal FIVE hundred
snakes. About month after Plache's in
terview with the boa, there fell vast
quantity of rain, and the river rose and
flooded the whole of this swamp. The
nearest piece of dry land to the river was
the little rising ground on which my hut
stood One evening during the time that
the food was out, | came back from shoot
ing just as the sun was setting. / had shot
buck which l had found out in the open
ground, behind the Berea Bush. Plache
was with me, and left him and Caffre
to bring in the buck, whilst returned
home, alone, to prepare fire, and get
ready the cooking pots.


/ noticed that the water was very high,
and had not left more than hundred
yards clear round my hut, which was, how
ever, still ten or twelve feet above thelevel
of the flood placed my gun outside,
against the hut, and crawled into the door
way of the kraal. You must know that
the only light that enters these buildings is
by the doorway, SO when / blocked up
this, the only aperture, the interior was
rather dark. / knew that my flint and
steel-box were stuck up in the thatch of
the roof, and these | could use to obtain a
light, in case the embers were not smoul-
dering in the centre of the hut, where /
usually kept fire.
Year: 1860

Mr.. EDIroR-In your paper of the 2Sth
ult. we find an article signed "Zion," pur-
porting to come from one of the ministers
of our beloved church. Knowing you to
be the peoples man and your paper the
peoples friend, (and we, the people, feeling
deeply for the prosperity of our church as
well as ourselves, VIC wish to say few
words to the ministers of Zion.


You, dear brethren, have kept US, as
connexion, divided for eight long years, for
no earthly or heavenly purpose, as we
have yet seen, only to crafty some of
your priestly notions on questions that the
people know nothing about, and for which
they care much less. We have long since
found out that your dissensions are of no
benefit to our spiritual good, for they have
kept up constant and harrassing conten-
ton among people who, of all others,
should be one in aim and spirit.


These dissensions have been of no bene-
fit to our physical good, for night after
night we have been compelled to keep un-
timely hours to hear one party abuse the
other; and we know it has not benefited
our pockets, which, with many of the min
listers, is very essential point. We have
not only had to spend our time unnecessa-
rily, but fuel and lights, which, in eight
years, has been no small item. Added to
all this, and much more that we might
name, in some communities we have had
to take care of and pay two ministers,
where there was not work enough for one
to do, and they never fail to keep the peo-
pie in continual quarrel and contention.


Now, brethren and ministers Of our once
united Zion, we shall, as far as we have
any influence, use it with our people to in
duce them to turn deaf ear to all such
things; and if you will not consider our
interest and we'll being, we will take our
cause into our own hands, and trust it no
longer in yours, Notwithstanding all the
love and respect we may have for many
of you, for there are many of you whom
we do love and respect. We are waiting
to see what step you intend to take at
your next General Conference, and if you
cannot bring about a reunion of Zion, we
must bring about union of the people, for
stand it we ought not, and some of US will
not. One people as we are in this coun-
try in suffering or in joy, we must see that
nothing divide us, and if our watchmen
that we have looked up to for years can
not unite, we, the people, must and will.
If we have to get new leaders, then be it
so. They cannot do US more injustice,
and we think not SO much, as our former
leaders. We find enough to contend with,
without contending among ourselves. We
have slavery, a common foe of our people,
to contend with. While our true friends
are suffering and dying for us, we are try
ing to destroy each other; it is too humili-
ating to think of, even for one moment
Brethren, it will never do for us so to live.
1t looks bad enough in our white brethren,
but far worse for us. PEOPLE.
Year: 1860

Mr.. EDrroR:-Knowing that you are al
ways interested in what appertains to the
prosperity or adversely of our cause, l ven-
ture to ask a place in your paper for a
statement in reference to a libel suit which
has just transpired in our city. One VIM.
Brown, who has travelled in the New Eng
land States and part of New York pretend
ing to act as agent for the Underground
Railroad interest centering here, sued GER
tain parties whose names appear in the ar
ticle subjoined, for libel therein contained.
The said Brown has persisted in making
collections, after being forbidden to do SO
by the friends here, and after repeated no.
tices to the public that nothing was re-
ceived from him for our cause, and warn
ing it against misapplication Of its chari-
ty. You will agree with me that it is bad
enough to bear the unavoidable hardship
of our work, without having the charity
intended for us intercepted by knavery.
In the suit referred to, some very ngly-
looking facts in regard to Brown began to
appear, when the court rather suddenly
brought the suit to close. The high
character which the defendants all sustain,
and the prevalent belief that Brown has
sponged several thousand dollars out Of
the people in his operations, excited a
strong feeling against him in our commu-
nifty. That such an arrant and shameless
humbug should have possessed himself of
our means is source of much regret to US !;
but we can only say to our friends that,
for the future, we hope they may let their
benefactions reach us if possible.


The following is the caution published
by our friends, for which the quondam pro-
fessor undertook to get SANDER damages:


TO THE FRIENDS OF THE FUGITIVE.


The undersigned, citizens of Syracuse, having
long interested themselves in behalf of the suffer
ing strangers in Syracuse and. vicinity, while in
their transition state from bondage to freedom,
take pleasure in stating for the satisfaction of
generous public, that this class of our fellow be-
ings are promptly entertained and safely convey
ed to their permanent refuge in Canada, under the
faithful and efficient management of the Rev. j..
W. Loguen, General Agent of the U. G. r. K for
Central n Y.


We are sorry to learn from various directions
that gross imposition has been praeticed upon the
public by one William Brown, of Syracuse, who
claims to be an agent for the african Aid Socie-
ty," which society has no real existence in SYRIA
cuse, but is a mere sham. Mr.. Brown is not au-
thorized by either the colored people or their
true friends to act in their behalf and is eecting
no good in this quarter, where he pretends to have
the seat of his operations, and where be is known
as an imposter


He has evidently collected large sums of mo-
ney, according to his own showing both in the
State of New York and in New England, and we
are vet to learn that he has done or honestly in
tends to do any good with said money.


We therefore faithfully warn and caution the
public against his glaring impositions. This de-
ceiyer sometimes passes as Professor Brown, and
again as Dostor Brown. We are not aware of his
Year: 1860


Slavery, o Slavery cannot conceive
Why judges and magistrates do not relieve
Ny down-trOdden people from under thy hand,
Restore them their freedom, and give them their


land.


The loud voice Of reason incessantly cries.
Ye lovers of Mammon, when will ye be wise?
How long will misanthropy reign in your hearts ,
Behold the poor slaves, and consider their smarts
Upon the plantation they labor and toll,
Exert all their strength to enrichen the SOIL
While the sun pours upon them its hot scorch-


ing ray,
Without ntermission the whole livelong day.
Hope God by His power will save them at last
And bring them as Israel in ages that's past,
Out Of the reach Of proud slavery's chain,
To enjoy the sweet comfort offreedom again.
Year: 1860

property. The county commissioners of
each county to appoint annually in April
one person for every twenty five voters in
each election district, to be called the "vig-
liant police" whose duty viii be to arrest
every slave or negro found absent from his
masters or employers premises, or in at
tendance at political meetings, public cleo
tions or other gatherings without pass,
unless in attendance upon his masters or
employers business. The constable is to
receive one dollar for each negro so arrest
ed and returned, and FIVE cents mileage, to
be paid by the master or employer to whom
the slave is brought back The absence
of slave, hireling or negro apprentice
from the residence of his master or employ
er, in town or village, between the hours
of nine o'clock in the evening and FIVE in
the morning, although such slave may be
within the bounds of the town or village.
shall be considered an absence from the
residence of the master or employer, and
subject the offender to arrest. All sherifs
and constables and the police in Baltimore
are also bound to perform the duties i'm
posed upon the "vigilant police" and may
receive the same compensation.


SALE OF NEGRO CoNvICTs INTO SLAVERY.


No. amends the code in several par
ticulars, substituting therefor the following
Any free negro or slave, convicted of an
offense which would send a white man to
the penitentiary, shall be sold as slave
for life, either in or out of the State, the
proceeds to go to the school fund, after
paying expenses and indemnifying the par
ty who suffered by the offense. All negroes
now in the penitentiary are to be sold as
slaves for life, the proceeds, after liquidat-
ing expenses, to go to the school in the
county or city where the party was con-
victed.
Year: 1860

The author of Outlines of Flemish Hus-
bantlry, says that near Alost he met with one
of the smallest farms which will maintain a
family without other work-it was barely five
acres The house was much larger than such
an occupation warranted but il was ar old
farm house, and the land had been divided in
to small holdings, leaving five acres to go with
the house. There was small orchard of
about q quarter of an acre, in which there
were some thriving apple and plum trees
The grass under these trees was good, and the
only COW WHICH the man had was led by the
wife to Craze there for short time every day.
apparently more to give her exercise than for
the food she could pick up. The grass seemed
to have been cut for her in another part
This COW had cost $40, and the man regretted
thai he had not the means to purchase sec
ond, as he could have maintained two very
well.


Half of the land was in wheat, the other
half in clover, flax and potatoes so that the
clover did not recur oflener than every sixth
year, the flax and potatoes in nine. As soon
as the wheat was rearcd he began to hack the
stubble about four inches deep with heavy
hoe, and as fast as he got piece done it Wa:
soHn with turmps, after having some of thu
contents of the liquid manure tank spread
\ over it--for, suNlN Us the forrn WAS, " had a


reservoir for this precious manure. Thus 1


considerable portion of the wheat stubbe was


soon covered with Young turnips Of quick
growing sort, which, if sown in the beginning
or middle of August were fit to pull in No
vember or December and were stored in the


cellar for winter use. There was small patch


of Camene, which was sown less for the seet


than for the stems, of which he made broomC
in his leisure hours in winter But these hour>
| could be but few, and only when snow covered
the ground, and prevented him from digging
and trenching, which was his almost constan
employment; for the whole five acres had t.


be dug in the course of the year, and AS nlacl
of it as possible had to be trenched, that is


dug two spades deep and the soil reversed.


The land being stiff loan, of goot


depth, was much improved by frequent stir
ring and deep cnlture. The milk, potatoe


and other vegetables, with little pork, fe
the family. Pigs were fed on the refuse Q
t the food which was given to the COW, and
, little grain and roots. Most of the wheat an
} oil of the flax was sold to pay the rent an
= household expenses. The rent was about IS
] year. without any rates, tithes or taxes
r Constant labor kept the man in good healt


and his wife was not idle. They had two {


three young children, one at the breast bu
: except the wish for another COW, they SCENE
n to be content with their lot, and had no gret
/ fears for the future. They had no parish fur
+ to fall back upon, not even union-house ; b,
e had they come to want by unforeseen circuI
e stances, they would have found the hand


private charity ready TO relieve them.
Year: 1860

Every judicious and observant man will con
cur in the following views, presented by the
editor of one of the best conducted journals in
the Old Dominion, the Alexandra Gazette


Many people estimate the ability ola news
paper, and the industry and talents of its edit
or, by the quantity of editorial matter which it
contains. 1t is comparatively an easy task for
frothy writer to pour out daily, columns of
urOrds-uordS, upon any and all subjects. His
ideas may flow in lone weak, washy, everlasting
food and his command of language may enaz
BILE him to string them together like punches of
onions, and yet his paper may be mcagrc
and poor concern. But what is the labor and
the toll Of such man who displays his "leaded
Natter ever so largely, to that imposed on the
jiudicious, welI-informed editor, who exercises
his vocation with an hourly Consciousness of its
responsibilities and duties, and devotes himself
to the conduct of his paper with the same care
and assiduity that sensible lawyer bestows
upon u suit, or a humane physician upon a p,l-
, tient without regard to show or display! In
deed, the mere tcriting part Of editing paper,
is but a small portion of the work. The indus
try is not even shown there. The care the
time employed in selecting is far more impor-
tant, and the tact of a good editor is better
shown by his selections th:tn anything else


and that we all know is half the battle But
as we have said, an editor ought to be estimat-
ed and his labors understood and appreciated
by the general conduct of his paper its tone
its temper-its uniform consistent course
its principles-its aims--its nianliness-its dig
nity-its propriety- To preserve these as they
should be preserved, is enough to occupy fully
! the time and attention of any man. If to this
be added the general supervision of the news
paper establishment, which most editors have
| to encounter, the wond Il is how they can find
time or room to rritc at all.
Year: 1860

! lege which enables you to scatter over the
country cords and cart-loads of books, thereby
stimulating an anxiety to publish such books
as are not valuable, and creating fund which
is a source of great corruption iii this Govern
ment.


Now, believe if such books as we distrib-
ute are worth what they cost this Government,
that they can be published by private enter.
prize. Of course 1 do not refer to such works
as the Presidents message and accompanying
documents.


But l confess I have another objection to
this franking privilege, which cannot be exer-
cised by deputy. You can not authorize any
body else to frank for you. 1 confess 1 desire
to spend my time in some other employment
than franking speeches on the eve of prcsi-
dental election. l desire to inform myself
upon various Legislative matters pending be
fore Congress / desire to know what am
legislating about, and therefore do not de-
sire to be made drudge, whose whole time is
spent in franking electoneerng documents.


For the reasons | have expressed, am op-
posed to each of these two last amendments
of the Senate upon this bill because desire
to sustain, and hope the House will sustain,
the action of the committee, and prevent in
dependent legislation upon appropriation bills.
Year: 1860

Soon after settled in the ministry / was
appointed q member of the school committee
of the place where lived. In frequent visits
to one OF the schools took notice of a boy
whose clothing was very coarse, and showed
many patches, but still were clean and neat
throughout. His habits were remarkably
quiet and orderly, and his manner very correct,
His disposition was evidently generous and
kind, and his temper mild and cheerful, as he
mingled with his schoolmates at play or joined
their company on the road.


= When last / saw him in New England, he
was on his way TO school, His appearance
still bespoke the condition of his purse and
his hat was but poor protection against Ell
ther sun or rain; but as passed him, he lift
ed it with an easy but respectful action, 9
pleasant smile and cheerful good morning,
which, uneonsciously to himself made the 10
BILE boy perfect model of genuine good man.
ners. His bow, his smile and his word all
came straight from his true, kind heart. Whei
last saw him, thirty years had passed, ant
/ was on a visit to the West. The boy hat
become dis inguished lawyer and statesman
but his bow and his smile and his kind greeting
were Just the same as those Of the barefoo
boy with the shocking bad hat.
Year: 1860

Tonics, stimulatives, medicines There's
nothing in the pharmacop9ia half so inspirit-
ing as cheerful temper. Don't fancy your
selfa victim! Don't go through the world
with face half yard long! Don't persuade
yourself that everything happens wrong. My
dear sir, you are the only person that is wrong
when you say that this is world of trial and
trouble! 1t is great deal better to be with
out an arm, or a leg than to lack cheerfulness
What if the globe does not roll round in the
precise direction you want it to? Make the
best of it. Put pleasant face on the matter
ind don't go about throwing cold water on the
fresides of all the rest Of mankind. IF you are
In want of an example, look at the birds, or The
flowers, or the very sunshine on the grass =
Show us one grumbler in all Natures wide
domains! The man who Is habitually gay and
cheerful has found the true philosophers stone
there is no cloud so dark but he sees the blre
sky beyond-no trouble so calamitous but he
finds some blessing left him to thank Provi-
dence for.


He may be poor and destitute; but he walks
clad in an armor that all the mines of Golcon-
da cannot purchase. Snow and rain cannot
penetrate it-scorn and centumey fall harm
1ec5 nOtil HIS SutiuCCs IDC SAOIul lildL SiuhS IL
less courageous craft can only compel him to
trim his sails and try again And somehow,
these people that keep trying, and always sa-
lutte her ladyship with bright face, are the
prime favorites of Fortune. Who would be a
mere thermometer, to rise and fall in spirit
with every change of life's atmospheric Z


Whenever we see a 1litfl signing and bilious,
and despondent, about anything and every
thing, We know it is not his bodily, but his mem
tai health that is out of gear" Cheerfulness
is all he wants Let him put on the spectaces
of his nerry-hearted neighbor, and it is wonder
full what different complexion the world will
wear No matter how thick and fast vexatons
may come-theres nothing like bright little
ray of the souls sunshine to dispcrse them
Counted in dollars and cents, your wealth may
be but paltry sum, but if you have cheerful
temper, you are rich Life Illustrated.
Year: 1860

Beautiful is old age, beautiful as the slow
dropping mellow autumn of rich glorious
summer In the old man nature has fulfilled
her work; she loads him with the fruits of a
well-spent life; and surrounded by his children
she rocks him away softly to the grave to which
he is followed by blessings. God forbid we
should not call it beautiful. There is another
life hard, rough and thorny, trodden with blee-
ding feet and aching brow; battle which nc
peace follows this side of the grave; which the
graves gapes to finish before the victory is wun
and strange that it should be-this is the
highest life of man. Look back along the
Ia other than this West minister Reuiev.
Year: 1860

81 ABB BY


OIL baPyy was the cheerful hearth.


When her little prattling voice,
So full OF innocence and mirth.


Made our fond hearts rejoice.
o happy when at close Of day,


Upon her mothers breast,
Wearied Of sport and tired Of playt
She laid hersdown TO rest
And when she'd take. her little book,


Seated at her mothers feet,
= OF what delight was in her look,
Her smile was heavenly sweet
She learned so fast it caused our fears


The neighbors, with surpise,
Z Wondered at one 50 young in years
- Te be SO wendrous wise
But since the Lcrd-the holy One


Hath given-hath taken away
His will on earth in heaven be done


Twas hest she should not stay.
And though her loss we still bemoan,


When we miss our little dear,
We knew she's near the heavenly throne,


More happy than here
For He whose tendt rness doth hear


The ravens when they cry
When He takes little ont 8 from here.


He taketh them on high.
The Alpine shepherd, when days are warm,
And brooks and rills are dry,
Will take the lambs upon his arm


And bear them up on high
- And all the flock will follow then,


The little lambs they love
e. The Shepherd thus entices them


To the green plains above.
IT'S thus the Lord will often call
Our wandering hearts from care,
And shows that death awaits US all
And bids US to prepare.
o. may we strive to do our best,


Our Shepherds gone before,
And JOIN the lambs in heavenly rost,


There meet TO part no mge,
Year: 1860

A beautiful oriental proverb runneth thus 3:
with time and patience the mulberry leaf
becomes satin" How encouraging is this les
SON to the patient and despondingl And
what difficulty is there that man should quail
at, when worm can accomplish from null
berry leaf?
Year: 1860

THE Eastern States included In that section Of u
i Union, which is most widely known as New
EnglandS v contains thrifty, industrious. intelli-
rent people. who have achieved an uncommon de-
gree or prosperity with climate extremely, try
Ing 10 certain constitutions and soil OF small ler,
tilIty they haze contrived 10 surpass more favored
communities In almost every thing that conduces
TO social comfort and happiness; Unfortunately,
they are occasionally 30 absorbed In business and
mental cultivation, that they neglect the prenau.
tions which are essential TO bodily health. Dys.
pepsia and physical debility are prevalent among
ali classes The lrst disease Is produced by inat'
tention TO the digestive organs, which are SO sus-
ceptible Of arrangement Thousands arc now pay


Ing the penalty of this neglect, and suffering daily
the most trying pains, almost without hope of
relief They have come to believe that their all
ment Is chronic and that they must bear with IL "a
the end IL gratiles us exceedingly To announce
to these afflicted individuals that they may now
command o remedy OF unquestiOnable potency and
virtue. which has never been found TO fail In all
cases OF d digestive weakness or arrangement. Hun
dreds OF tongues are ready to grow eloquent n
praise OF this wonderful conqueror OF dyspepsia,
which Is known rs