smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

WASHINGTON, Monday, Sept %, 1859.


The Post Office Department is good deal exer-
cised in relation to the carriage Of the California
mails from New York on the 9TH of October, aud IN
the absence of the Postmaster-General the Presl'
dent himself is giving attention to the SUBJECT
Undoubtedly superior official of the Department
will 20 on to New York just previous to the day OF
sailing of the California steamers, to give direction
to the mails The Department can get nothing
satisfactory from johnson as to his means OF fulfill
ing bis contract and the grave question whether
or not to deliver the mails to him or his assgnees
at New York, if he or they are not prepared to
execute the contract for the New-Orean' branch
of the service Some time since orders went from
the Department to New Orleans TO send Calitor-
MIA mail matter TO New.York, but unless steamer
leaves that city on the 9Th October week Will Do
lost 10 the business men there for mailing their
California letters. SO also persons intending to 60
10 California from tho southwest will be obliged 10
go on to New-York. AS the Department hiss all
along determined that the mails shall be put
through. conditions. contract to effect the object
WAS entered into when fears came to be enter
tsined that the contractor might not be able to
carry out bis engagements.
Year: 1859

We publish to-day the opinion of the United
States Circuit Court for this District, delivered by
the Hon. C. A. Ingersoll, on question of patent
law not found in any previously reported case.
The Court have ruled in this case that where the
defendant relies for his defense on the ground of
prior invention he must show that the thing pst-
ented was known or used in this country prior to
the time when the patentee made bis invention,
and not simply prior to the tune of making bis ap-
plcation for the patent. That knowledge or use
of the same thing in foreign country prior to the
time when the patentee made his invention, will
not nvaldate the patent unless il was either pat
ented or described in some printed publication be-
fore the time when the patentee here made his in
yention.
Year: 1859

The nervousness and run outs have defeated the
Canadians among whom are several British officers
but it was to be expected when they were pitted
against such q magnificent body OF cricketers.
Year: 1859

About one O'Clock yesterday morning officers Fu-
las aud Phillips discovered the blacksmith shop of
Mr. Chester near Pleasant street to be on fire. They
put it out without raising alarm. 1t was the
work of an incendiary
Year: 1859

MAUcH CHUNK, Pa, April 15.-The engine house
OF the Mount Pisgah Lehigh Coal Company was
badly damaged by fire last night, in consequence of
which there will be stoppage in the passage of
coal trains for a week perhaps
Year: 1859

Mr. James Maher, long and favorably known to
all Washington, died about noon on Friday, at his
residence on q street, after short illness. He
came TO Washington in 1888, and in the autumn OF
that year was appointed by President Jackson to
the charge of the public grounds as chief gardner


Many OF the most beautiful spots in the CITY were
iaid out under his direction. He retained up to his
death, the position of gardener in charge of the
grounds OF the United States Capitol Wash
Year: 1859

LoRD NAPIER.-A number of British residents of
New York waited on Lord Napier on Friday, and
through Consul Archibald presented an address ex-
pressing respect and esteem for Lord and Lady Ma
pier and regret for their departure. In his reply
Lord Napier said:


'lt would i'll become me to take leave of this
country without emphaticaly recognising the cordi-
part of the President of the United States, the
Secretary of State, and all the members of the
existing Administration. | never forget or
requite the incessant kindness of many estimable
and distinguished persons who have admitted nv
family to their friendship, and reflect with pride
on the evidence of sympathy which has more than
once been offered to me by the American people,
Year: 1859

The YIELD OF GRAIN IN AUsrRALIA.-The
Melbourne Argus speaking ofagriculture in
the Colony of Victoria says;


In respect to the yield Of grain there has
been falling off; still, when we compare
our averages with those of the neighboring
colonies of South Australia we have no rea-
son to complain. There the yield of wheat
for the past season was shown by the official
returns to have been between 10 and II
bushels to the acre while ours wns close
upon 20. Barley is little grown by our
neighbors, as the climate of great part of
that country is unfavorable, so we may sup
pose the yield to be much less than our own !;
and oats with us gave an average of 274
bushels to the acre; while in South Australia
this was only Is. In potatoes also we had
the advantage by more than a ton TO the
acre.
Year: 1859

A BIG SroRy.-A correspondent writes to
the Butte Democrat from Humbug Valley,
Plumas county, as follows;


At this time great excitement prevails
among the miners of this section, the cause
of which is, that within the past week lead
of gravel has been struck that exceeds any
other ever found in this State in richness
yielding at least one half gold to one-hal
gravel. 1t was discovered in the first claim:
that were found in this valley in 81 BY
sinking down into what was supposed to be
the bedrock, in going some six feet they
| found it. There are five or six feet of the
gravel, and "you bet" it is rich.
Year: 1859

Mons BLoNDlN.-The last feat of Mons
Blondin, as related by Buffalo papers, was
that of crossing the Niagara on a rope with
his feet in willow baskets He also shack
led himself, as on former occasions. "When
about one-third of the way across, he went
through his performance of standing upon
one foot and then upon his head, &c, then
started at a rapid rate, and reached the Can
adian shore in thirteen minutes. At ten min


utes of six he again made lis appearance
upon the rope with a light stand on his left
side, upon which was placed bottle Of
champagne, some cakes and candy. Upon
his right he had a chair attached. Blon-
din's intention was to sit upon the chair and
partake of his good cheer; but, unfortunate
", and very greatly to his disappointment,
when in the act of so doing, his chair caught
upon the calf of his leg, and tumbled into
the river lie made good use of his table.


lie was fifteen minutes in crossing this time.


AT the conclusion of the performance it was
announced that this was the last ascension


Blondin would make this season, but would
set the ball in motion again by crossing on
the first day of next June, mounted on stills


Some despicable rascal attempted to cut the
main cable and succeeded in severing each
strand, but not deep enough to do any injury"
Year: 1859

An Iowa paper states that experiments
made this year, in various parts of thatState,
in the cultivation of tobacco, demonstrate the
adaptation of both the soil and climate of
Iowa to the successful and profitable produc-
ton of the weed.
Year: 1859

MAN SHoT.--James Hamel was shot on
Thursday evening while picking a melon
from the ranch of an Englishman below the
street levee at Sacramento. He was on
his way home, to the ranch of Mr.. jenkins in
Georgiana township. The Union says:


While STOPPING to pick a melon he receiv-
ed a charge of duck shot in the back. One
of the shots passed through the muscle of the
right arm, above the elbow, and, lodging
just beneath the skin on the opposite side,
was extracted. Seven other shots. the effects
of which may prove serious if not fatal, enter
ed the backbone or two in the vicinity of
the spine, several probably entering the cavi
ty of the abdomen. The shot, we under
stand, was fired by the proprietor of the
ranch Hamel proceeded thence to the
County Hospital, reaching there about 10 P.
NJ in a very weak state.
Year: 1859

A mother who had occasion recently to
make night journey in wagon to Chicago
wrapped her infant securely in a bed quilt
When she awoke in the morning the child
was dead. 1t had been smothsred ID her
anna
Year: 1859

A New PATENT. Owing to tha extreme
hardness of the gold bearing quartz rock, 1t
is believed land experience has so far shown
that stamping acts more efficiently than any
other plan in reducing it to powder. As
many of the quartz mills are located where
fuel and the repairs of unnecessarily compli-
Gated machinery are n large item in the min.
ing expenses, E. L. Steep, of California, has
simplied and applied principle to the
"Stamp Engine" which, though partially
used on other engines, cannot be so perfectly
applied where rotary motion and more
delicate machinary are used In that class of
stamp mills in which the upper end of the
stamper forms the steam piston the inventor
employs double cylinder, in which the
stampers or pistons work alternately, and the
valves of each are so connected that the one,
being opened to admit steam. opens the ex-
haust of the other. These valves are opera
ted at each stroke by direct percussons of
the pistors, which insures their instant and
timely movement, and, having large ports,
the stream is admitted with percussion due
to the full pressure in the boiler sending the
stampers down with great violence
Year: 1859

THE VoLKsFEsT.-It is announced that portion
Of the net proceeds of the Volksfest festival to-day
will be donated to the Samaritan Institute and those
who feel kindly interest in this aid it in
very agreeable manner by visiting the scene of merry
making and improving the pleasant chances of invest
ment there Offering
Year: 1859

BENEFIT AT THE VAR1ErIEs.-Mr. Mark Smith,
one of the most accomplished and popular of the
Variety company, an actor who never fails to make
the most and best Of every character he takes hold
of, will have benefit on Wednesday night. The
bill is not yet announced, but the boxbook is now
Year: 1859

CRESCENT City YACHT CLUB REGArrA.-The an
nual regatta of the Crescent City Yacht Club, as
heretofore announced will be sailed at the Lake end
of the New Canal to-day. AT IL o'clock meeting
of the Club will be held in the Clubhouse on the
end of the pier, and all entries must be made prior
to that hour. The first signal gun for yachts to form
into line, will be fired at one o'clock precisely. ANA
teur sailors may well be the qu riUe for this event
fer the sport will be lively the large number oil
anticipated entries can make it,
Year: 1859

An editor out West received two dollars for his
paper. As soon as the news got abroad there was q
tremendous rush to his Office. The butcher was the
on the editors meat tub, secured the two dollars.
Year: 1859

GREEN CoRN.-Our appreciative and never-forget
full friend Sewell Taylor of Royal street, has our
thanks for specimen of the products of his rural
retreat, in the shape of lot of roastingears, the
first we have seen this season. The ears are full.
grained, tender and pulpy, and in the eating we are
sure will he nerfectlv delicious
Year: 1859

A down East paper gives an account of minister
who stole brothers watch and eloped with his
wife, We suppose he is one Of the g three thous-
and" and that his motto is watch and prey.
Year: 1859

A housemaid in the country, boasting of her in.
dustrial habits, said that certain occasion she
rose at four made fire, put on tea KETTLE prepared
breakfast, and made all the beds, before single
souI was up in the house.
Year: 1859

PRAYER. : Prayer is a constant
source of invigoration to self-discipline
not the thoughtless prayer which is
a thing of custom but that which is
sincere, intense, watchful. Let man
ask himself whether he really would
have the thing he prays for; let him
think, while he is praying for spirit
Of forgiveness, whether even at that mo-
ment he is disposed to give up the luxu-
ry of anger. If not what horrible
mockery it is To think that man
can find nothing better to do, in the
presence of his Creator, than telling off
SO many words: alone with his God,
and repeating his task like child long
ing to get rid of it, and Indifferent to
its meaning
Year: 1859

MUTUAL FORBEARANcE.- house
will be kept in turmoil where there is
no federation of each others errors no
lenity shown to failings, no meek SUBJ
mission to injuries, no soft answer to
turn away wrath. If you lay a single
stick of wood in the CRATE and apply
fire to it, it would go out; put on an
other stick and they will burn, and half
dozen, and you will have blaze.
There are other fires subject to the
same conditions. If one member of a
family gets into passion, and is let
alone, he will cool down, and possibly
be ashamed and repent. But oppose
temper to temper, pile on the fuel, draw
in others of the group, and let one
harsh answer be followed by another
and there will soon be blaze which
will enwrap them all in its heat.
Year: 1859

Once again the spoke of the wheel
slipped from the grasp of him who
held it, but the fair jeweled hand ar
rested its progress, steadied the steam
er and stayed the destruction which
would otherwise have followed the
swerve from duty. Onward sped the
noble barque; when darkness shut the
the last rock from our sight, one deaf
ening shout arose above the storm for
her who had so bravely guided through
the shadow of death.


She would receive no thanks for her.
self, but bidding us give thanks to Him
whose voice ever rules the storm, she
retired to her state-room, and was lost
to view.


Around the cabin table that night,
about an hour before we entered the
harbor of Montreal, we learned her
history. She was the daughter Of the
merchant who owned the line of boats,
one of which she had saved from ruin.
Her mother died when she was child,
her father had yielded to her wishes,
and allowed her to accompany him in
the boat Of which he was so many
years the captain. By degrees she
became accustomed to every bend, in
that beautiful river, while calm and
storm alike brought scenes of beauty
to her eye. She was now on her way
to visit some friends in Quebec, where
her father proposed joining her to
spend the winter.


A gentleman artist sketched her
likeness on the leaf of his portfolio, as
she stood at the wheel, wrapped in the
pilots coat, with the glass in her hand,
and her full length portrait still graces
the gallery of fine arts in Montreal.


Many white hand clasped the snow
white fingers at parting, and many a
blessing crowned that noble head. A
magnificent diamond bracelet, bearing
upon an inside plate the name of the
vessel and the date of the occurrence,
was presented her about week after
her arrival in Quebec, by the passen-
gers who were on board at the time,
while loud and triumphant were the
praises borne to the ear of a fond par
ent of the noble conduct of that frail but
fearless one, who had braved the danger
which stout hearts and strong forms
had quailed from with a deadly fear"


"And what became of her after
wards ?" l inquired.


"She married an officer in Quebec.
and her children still live there. One
is noble boy or rather man now
and ploughs the ocean in one of the
noblest battleships of England"


L thanked the kind old man for his
story, and left him-one added to the
list of admirers of the bravery of the
fair pilot of my own favorite river.
Year: 1859




"I wish you would tell me story,
Monsieur Scottera?' said / to an old
white headed pilot Of the St. Lawrence,
as he sat in the house-keeper's room,
at my uncle's, one biting cold night
in December while the storm without
was such as only Montreal can boast.


The house-keeper was his neice, and
the old man would come higher and
enjoy social chat, rather than remain
alone in his cabiE, which was midway
between Montreal and Lanchine while
room over the kitchen was always
reserved for his use.


He was an especial friend of my un-
cle's and none were more welcome than
he. Age had crowned his head with
hoary hairs, and many noble bark had
he gnided over the deep waters of the
Belle River of the Canadas.


Well, what shall my story be
about ?" he asked.


"Tell me story of the st. Law
renee" l answered-something real
and true ?"


For moment he was silent then
slipping his ale, he commenced:


MANY years ago, when was SO
small as hardly to rccollect it now, my
brother and myself were placed on
board one of the river steamers, as cab
in boys and walters, with view of
becoming pilots when We should grow
older. That was nearly eighty years
ago, for / am ninety-fve now, and
boats were not fitted up as now nor
were good pilots thing to be found
every day. 1 had run up and down
several times, when one morning, about
ten o'clock, we stopped at Brockville
to take on board rs usual, a govern.
ment pilot to guide us down the river
1t was late in the season, and we had
strong wind the night before, leav
ing the river rough, and our usual pi
lot had hard work to keep the boat in
its proper track, while it brought us
into Brockyille two hours later than the
usual time.


The clouds overhead still looked
cold, and the wind blew fresh an6
strong, when making all possible haste
we again put out of harbor, and were
soon bounding on our way.


Throuhgout the morning / noticed
an anxious look on the captains face
which bespoke his uneasiness abou
the final termination of our journey
We had a good many passengers oil
board, and although we usually reach
ed Montreal about four o'clock in tn,
afternoon, we should now be delayed
until six, if not later.


! About ten miles this side of Lanch
line a storm of rain commenced, whicl
rendered it almost impossible to guild
the boat at all; while the rapids of tina
name, the most terrific in the Who'll
river, were yet to be passed.


The pilot was one of the best on th
route, but man of passionate temper
with peculiar dogged look which wa
peculiarly disagreeable. Between hir
and the ordinary boat pilot there exii
ted grudge which once or twice ha
led to blows, when they came in cor
tact with each other.


That morning, when passing one G
the higher falls, they stood together q
the wheel owing to the current of tn
water and the almost exhauste'
: strength of him who had guided us a
Year: 1859

The old bridge over the river,
Beaten by sun and rain,
Where the waters flow forever
On their way to the dashing main
Flow on with ripping quiver,


Yet never come back again.
Twas builded in bygone ages,
By those long passed away,
As we read in record pages


Made dusty by old decay,
The war which time e'er wages
With things of bygone day.
The feet that first passed over
Are mouldering with the sod;
The spring-tide blossoms cover
The myriads who have trod -
Who may their names recover?
Their spirits rest with God
/ stand by the ancient railing


When day is nearly done,
When the sunset tints are falling,
And the twilight just begun,
And shadowy phantoms trailing
Seem passing one by one.
o tits fearful feeling


Among that shadowy crowd,
The shades of night revealing
Forms wrapped in snowy shroud;
With spirit whisper stealing.


Yet never word aloud.
/ lift my soul to heaven,


And think of the coming day,
When l shall have toiled and striven,
Like them shall have passed away,
A peace of mind is given,


And my thoughts in silence pray.
The old bridge over the river,


With the eddying stream below,
Which rushes onward ever,


Like our beings rapid flow,
Both onward may shine and quiver,
Yet no return may know.
Year: 1859

The Marsellaise was inspired by genius, patri-
otism youth, beauty and champagne. Rouget de
Lisle was an officer of the garrison at Strasburg,
and native of Mount Jura. He was an unknown
poet and composer. He had L peasant TREND,
named Dietrick whose wife and daughter were
the only critics and admirers Of the soldier poets
songs. One night he was at supper with this
friends family, and they had only coarse bread
and slices of ham. Dietriek, looking sorrowiully
at De Lisle said "Plenty is not our FEAST but we
have the courage of q soldiers heart, have still
one bottle left in the cellar-bring It, my daughter,
and let US drink to liberty and our country


The Young girl brought the bottle ,t was
soon exhausted. and De Lisle went staggering
to bed ; he could not sleep for the cold, but his
heart was warm and full of the beating OF genius
and patriotism. lie took small eiaylcord ana
tried to compose q song sometimes the Words
were composed first-sometimes the air. Directly
he fell asleep over the instrument, and waking at
daylight, wrote down what he had conceived IN
the delirium of the night. Then he woke the
family, and sang his production at first the wo-
men turned pale, then they wept, then burst forth
into cry of enthusiasm. It was the song OF the
nation and of terror.


Two months afterwards, Dietrich went to the
scaffold, listening to the selfsame music, COM
posed under his own roof and by the inspiration
of his last bottle of wine. The people sang 1t
everywhere it flew from city to city, to every
public orchestra. MarSellleS auOpteu Tue SOhB ~
the opening and close of its elubs-hence the
g Hymn of the Marsellaise - then it spread all
over France. They sang it in their houses, IN
public assemblies, and In the stormy streets con-
vocation. De Lise's mother heard 1t, and SAID
to her son, ''What is this revolutionary hymn,
sung by bands of brigands, and with which your
name is mingledt'' De Lisle heard it and shud-
dered as it sounded through the streets of Paris,
or rung from the Alpine passes, while he, royal
st fed from the infuriated people frenzied by HI
own words France great amphitheatre OF
anarchy and blood, and De Lsle's song was the
battle cry.


There is no national air that will compare with
the Marseillaise in sublimity and power 1t EN-
braces the soft cadences full of the PEASANTS
home, and the stormy clangor of silver and steel
when an empire is overthrown; 1t endures the
memory of the vine-dresser's cottage, and makes
the Frenchman, in his exile, cry Z" La belle
France ~ forgetful of the torch, and sword, and
guillotine, which have made his country q speeta-
Gle of blood in the eyes of nations. Nor can the
foreigner listen to it, sung by company OF exlles,
or executed By band Of musicians, without feel
ing that it is the pibroch of battle and war