smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

When | was boy, my hther was iarm-
er, and had three brothers older than my
self They were full of their pranks aud
seldom allowed an opportunity to pass un M
proved, to play off some joke on one another.
/ remember one night while lay in my trun-
dlc-bcd in a lower room, the brother next
above me went up to his chamber to 20 to
bed, but presently he halloocd and screamed
in great fright, and came rushing down stairs
with all possible speed. The older boys had
prepared fright Cor him in this wise One
Of them had been plowing that day in a stumpy
lot, and many decaying roots were brought up
by the plow, and they ascertained in the eve
ming that many pieces were phosphorescent.


PhosphOrescence is the quality Of emitting
light without heat There are many substan-
cos that possess this quality, and among others,
decaying fish and wood | nder favorable
circumstances they will be nearly as luminous
in the dark as live coal Decaycd wood in
this condition is commonly called for,fre.


They brought their pockets full of tor.fre
to the house, and slipped up to his chamber
unobseryed they cut it into suitable pieces
and strips, and then arranged them in the
form Of skeleton on the top Of his I'D, The
head was very large, with an enormous mouth
and frightiul teeth; and in general outline
the whole resembled the human form. Ii was
DARK night and brother William--he was the
scared oue-approachcd his bed unsnspect-
Z ingy, and as was his wont, without light.
( He was naturally rather cowardly in tue
night, and then in those days we believed in
witches and goblins, aud spooks. Young
people nowadays are more correctly in-
structed, and scarcely one can be found sim-
pie enough to cherish such false and super
stitious notions


Suddenly the fiery picture fell upon his
sight, az he turned around the large chimney
to approach his bed His excited imagina-
/ tion filled out what may have been imperfect
in the image, and il seemed to him like yori-
table ghost, which he declared it to be on re-
covering his speech after he came down stairs.
There was a great uproar in the family for a
few minutes but Of course it was soon all
made plain, aud William crept under his conf
iortables, yexed at himself that he should be
frightened by so familiar thing as fof.fre,
or spook -ioood, as we used to call it.


If he had exercised presence Of mi,d he
would have prevented the most Of his fright,
and his subsequent modification A sec
ond thought would have revealed the
whole plot TO him, but he was too impetuous
he could not wait for secoud thought.
This is failing in many people and all
should watch it and guard against it, We
often hear girls, and oven young ladies' shrek
as if mortally hurt, from a very slight cause.
This infrmity can be to a great extent con-
trolled by habit of thought-by cultiyating
sof,possession OF mind. We should
all try, and that continually, to not be fright
eued-not to be caught of our guard
SchoOiday Visitor.
Year: 1869

REAR ADMIRAL JOSEPH SMITH, President
OF the Examining Board III session at the Navy
Department, returned here last evening from
short visit to the Virginia White Sulphur
Springs. He is much improved IN health.
Year: 1869

THE New York Aldermen attend enter
tainments of such a character as to draw out
the following comments from the Post:


There is nothing possible in civilized
community which depraves morals at home
and destroys reputation abroad like the public
display of indecency. The United States have
hitherto escaped this kind of thing more fully
than any other nation; public opinion rigidly
repressing every open attempt to debauch it,
and making itself felt through the laws and
their officers. is this state of affairs at an
end? Have we, as people, fallen below Par
IS ana NaPloo in tho disposition of tho pablo
to tolerate indecency obtruding itself in
places of general resort?


1t would seem so, if the reports in some of
the morning papers of the ball given by a
French society on Wednesday evening in the
French Theatre are to be believed. These
accounts cannot be quoted they cannot be
lead with modesty. The orgies practised
there, according to the reporters, would have
shocked the debased and horrid assemblies of
imperial Rome, at the height of her corrup-
ton. But the noteworthy feature is that the
police were present, protecting lives and limbs
from destruction, in the chaos Of bestiality,
but making no arrests, nor even offering re-
monstrauce against such brutal treatment Of
helpless, intoxicated woman as generous men
never would offer to convicts or beasts. Are
these policemen the agents of public opinion
and of law, as they now exist in New York
and does their conduct in assisting" as the
French say, at such scenes, express the moral
sense of this community?
Year: 1869

Some English engineers have laid before the
Emperor of France plan for shortening the
iournev between London and Paris to seven
hours. and at the same time getting rid OF sea-
sickness. The first requirement is deep har-
bors on both sides, available at all states OF the
tide The next is great ferry boats which will
take on a railway train, and SO avoid all the
cost and trouble of transporting nt-ferry boats
too long and wide 10 pitch or roll. 1t can all
be done, and it will pay, for such means of
transit would double freight and quadruple
travel or more,
Year: 1869

A gentle Quaker had two horses-a very
good and a very poor one. When seen riding
the latter, it turned out that his better half
had taken the good one. "WhatE said a
sneering bachelor, chow comes it that you let
your wife ride the better horse?" The only
reply was, "Friend, when thee be married
thee'll know"
Year: 1869

The Albany Knicker6ocker gives an ~e-
count of new religious sect which has just
been organized near that city, which bids fair
to outrval the Shakers in the way of attrac-
tlons during the coming season. This party
is composed of men and women; bat instead
OF there being dividing line, they mingle to-
gether in love feast sort of style. Music is
their hobby, and through its influence they
all expect to be saved. The members are pin
cipally musicians of some sort, and those who
are not blow upon horns to the full extent and
powers of their lungs, in the hope that the
noise, if not the sweetness of the notes, will
secure their salvation. The members of the
new society are now engaged in practice for
the summer of 1870 A friend of ours, who
was present at late rehearsal, says it was
terrible; the beating of bass drums, blowing
OF horns, trombones. flutes, pipes, &c, knock
ing the great peace jubilee into a cooked hat.
1t was fearful. There was no harmony or or
der, but all banged and blowed away on his
own hook. One person is selected as chief
lie is the favored one of the order, dressed
like the apostles of Old, who is elevated upon
platform, and instead OF using wand as
leaders OF orchestras usually do, he swung
huge mallet, which came down with great
force upon some arrangement that vibrated
heavy piece of ordnance. The whole arrange
ment resembles a great burlesque, but the
hntckeTb0cker'S informant says he never saw
a more earnest collection of devotees, or met
with more friendly set Of people.
Year: 1869

their addresses in any part Of the city before
nine o'clock are not distributed, even below
Grand street, until after MONDAY. As for the
rest Of the country, Heaven save the mark!
They get out of the little Dutch church when
they may.


This matter should not be delayed any longer
either by official red tape or intriguing job
bers. 1t has been decided to erect metro
politan post Office in this metropolis, and it Is
the duty of the Postmaster General to put the
affair in the way of consummation at an early
day. We do not care whether it be erected in
the City Hall Park or anywhere else, but we
wish that the jobbing contractors be sent about
their business and the work put in hand. Before
the building can be in any way completed so
that it can be used we are in danger Of out
growing the plans which have been adopted.
Let the new building be made as ample as the
ground selected will permit, with the clear
conviction that by the time the mails shall be
well nestled in it our city will be approach
ing census of five millions and the country
the sum of one hundred millions of people.
Year: 1869




An ill-disciplined, disorganized militia is as
much an evil in State as highly trained and
effective force of volunteer soldiery is safe
guard against domestic tumult and invasion.
Taxpa yers who feel the weight of national and
local burdens count every uniform seen IN the
streets as so much waste Of PUBLIC money, and
experienced military ZEN add their grumblings
70 the volums4f scorp and censure hsaped by
foreign cp.slcs on the gaudy gawks who parade
on p&olic days. The money expended on such
s8Qrganization is uselessly squandered, and the
State which allows its existence is exposed to
merited ridicule. How far our National Guard
merits similar criticism is best known to the
many able and experienced officers in it; but
sSSk those Who have 1eep the militia Of other
countries, but who do hot possess vsfy sxten-
sivs military knowledge, must entertain very
poor opinion Of the dis cipline and training of
our local regiments. There is not battalion
In the First division which, if called into active
service tomorrow, could do any better than
run away, and even that it could not do in
military manner. Automatons in tactics there
are enough, but a company or regiment Of
soldiers there is not in the city. This is
serious charge, but it is true. The fault how
ever, lies not with the members Of the National
Guard. Very many Of the officers are capa-
BILE and excellent, and the material Of the
regiments could not be better. The blame lies
with the State government and the Legislature,
~in3 have systematically neglected to pass such
measures as were necessary to increase the
efficiency of the militia, while they eagerly i'm
pose heavy burdens on the people in its name
in the interests of '.rings" and ciques of ras
cally politicians.


Awe are exceedingly glad to observe, how
ever, that chance is offered the Legislature
to atone for past neglect in this regard.
Mr.. Lawrence D. Herman has introduced
bill in the Assembly for the erection Of large
and commodious armory in central part of
the city, which will render the present expen-
sive and useless cribs used by our city regi-
ments unnecessary, and in which our militia
men can have room for practical instruction.
The building is urgently needed by the First
division. The Elm street arsenal, which it Is
proposed to sell, is useless encumbrance; the
Ninth regiment armory is in such a condition
that the lives of the men who drill there are
imperilled, and the costly State arsenal in
Seventh avenue is tumbling to pieces. With
the exception Of those used by the Seventh
and Twenty-second regiments every armory
in the city is totally unfit for the purpose to
which 1t is applied. The proposed armory will
not interfere with private or public interests;
after two or three years it will save two hundred
thousand dollars annually to the city, and 1t
will give our regiments an opportunity Of ac-
quiring proper knowledge Of tactics and the
duties Of the soldier. The bin will be heartily
supported by those members who desire to see
the National Guard made more efficient Mr..
Kiernans able advocacy Of the measure win
doubtless insure its passage.
Year: 1869

A College professor was being rowed
across stream in boat. Said he to
the boatman: "Do you understand phil
osophy ?""No, never herd of it" "Then
one quarter of your life is gone DO
you understand geology ? 'Nop Then
one-half of your life is gone. Do you
understand astronomy?'Nop Then three
quarters of your life is gone But pres
emily the boat tipped over and spilled
both in the river. Says the boatman !:
Cam you swim p No. Then the whole
of your life is gone
Year: 1869

An Irishman dropped letter into the
post Office the other day, with the fol-
lowing memorandum on the corner, for
the benefit of all indolent postmasters
into whose hands it might fall: Please
hasten the delay of this"
Year: 1869

Any amount and every class of Insurance required
can be placed at this Office in the best Companies,
and at as low rates at any agency in the country


Expiration Notices Promptly Given.
Year: 1869


Over and over again,
No matter which way / turn,
/ always find in the Book of Life


Some lessons have to learn.
| must take my turn at the mill,


1 must grind out the golden grain,
/ must work at my task with resolute will
Over and over again.
We cannot measure the need


Of even the tiniest flower
Nor check the flow of golden sands


That run through single hour.
But the morning dew must fall,


And the sun and summer rain
Must do their part and perform it all


Over and over again.
Over and over again


The brook through the meadow flows,
And over and over again


The ponderous mill wheel goes.
Once doing will not suffice


Though doing be net in vain,
And blessing, failing us once or twice


May come if we try again.
The path that has once been trod


Is never so rough to feet;
And the lesson we once have learned


Is never so hard to repeat.
Though sorrowful tears may fall,


Aud the heart to its depths be driven
With storm ana tempest, we need them all


To render US meet for Heaven.
Year: 1869

The old lady who left the bonds
with her wrote to Mr., Terwilliger
sooner than the wife anticipated,
about where to remit the interest
when due. The letter arrived the
day after the ball, and the day
lit never rains, but it pours) which
proved final collapse in the poor
fellows affairs. He saw the
thing at a glance saw how he had
been made to take the widows
substance; he knew he could not
make it good to her; there could
be no explanation except that he
was a deliberate knave--a robber
he had plundered the
widow and the orphans.
Year: 1869

A British officer committed an
ofense in the Crimean war pun
ishable by death, but being infuen-
tial, had that punishment COM
muted to perpetual reduction to
half pay, and to have his sword
riveted to the scabbard. He is
now on duty in Halifax. His
position requires him on public
occasions to be in close atten-
dance upon the Governor, and
this brings him cOnspicuously for
ward. At the reception of the
Prince, as the latter with his
suite stepped upon the platform
prepared for him, upon which
were standing the Governor and
other dignitaries, all the officers
saluted with the sword, the single
exception being this attendant
upon the Governor, who with his
sword by his side, was yet com
PEELED to salute with his hand.
Year: 1869

The Rochester Chronicle says
that the economy of old ladies'
who have never tasted of the
sweets Of matrimony Is proven
bal. One of this class, resident
of down-east village, was seen
on several occasions to carefully
gather up and put away for safe
keeping all the Radical papers
which she could lay her hands on.
Upon being asked the reason for
this species of frugality and her
apparent affection for this class of
publications, she replied that she
used them for making soap, as
suring her listener that they were
superior to wood-ashes for that
purpose inasmuch as they were
all pure and unadulterated lye.
Year: 1869

Only villagers or persons with
rural ideas any longer contend
that ladies should always be CIV
en- the inside of the pavement in
passing. The rule adopted in
cities is to turn to the right,
whether the right leads to the
wall or to the gutter, and an OBJ
servance of this common sense
rule would obviate much unpleas-
ant "scrouging" by over-gallant
gentlemen, who persistently
crowd for the outside of the walk.
Another common custom, and re-
quired by fashionable etiquette,
and one which is nearly as mex


plicable and absurd as the prac-
tice of a whole string of men FL
ing out Of a church pew, making
themselves as ridiculous as an


awkward squad" practicing at
Catching STEP" in order to give
a woman the wrong end of a pew,
is that of a man, when on a prom
enade or walk with a lady, to keep
himself on the outside of a pave
ment. A little exercise of judg-
ment will convince any person of
the utter uselessness of this bob
bing back and forth at every cor
ner. The common rule is this:
If a man and woman are, walk.
ing she should always be at bis
right arm, whether it be toward


the inside or outside of the walk


then the woman will not be


showed against the passers.
Year: 1869

There are many friends of summer


Who are kind when flowers bloom,
But.when winter chills the blossoms
They depart with the perfume;
On the broad highway of action


Friends of worth are far and few,
So when one has proved his friendship,
Cling to him who clings to you.
Do not harshly judge your neighbor,
Do not deem his life untrue,
If he makes no great pretensions,


Deeds are great though words are few;
Those who stand amid the tempest


Firm as when the skies are blue,
Will be friends while life endureth-
Cling to those who cling to you.
When you see worthy brother


Buffeting the stormy main,
Lend ahelping hand fraternal


Till he reach the shore again
Don't desert the old and tried friend


When misfortune comes in view,
For he then needs friendships comfort
Cling to those who cling to you.
Year: 1869

The NaahvilIe Banner is pub
fishing the "test oath" and rehear-
sing daily. the acts of Andrew
johnson while Military Governor.
This is consistent conduct for a
journal that hourly clamors for q
torgetfnlness of the past. An
drew johnson was our bitter and
relentless enemy while the war
ragged When peace came, he
was our champion. His admins
tration was the noblest struggle
ever made in behalf of freedom.
There are serious blots upon bis
fame, we admit. These we are
not apologists for. Since his ell
ovation to the Presidency he has
been the hope of the people. He
will be elected easily to the Sen
atorship. Stand from under
Franklin ReUieao.
Year: 1869

At one place, during Mark
Twain's Holy Land Expedition, it
became necessary to travel on
horseback, and Mark purchased an
animal, which he describes him.
self:


| have horse now by the name
of Jericho. He is a mare. Ihave
seen remarkable horses before, but
none so remarkable as this. /
wanted horse that would shy,
and this one fills the bill. / had
an idea that shying indicated spir-
ut. Ii it was correct | have got
the most spirited horse on the
earth. He SHES at everything he
comes across with the utmost i'm
partiality.


He appears to have a mortal
dread of telegraph poles, especial
ly; and it is fortunate that these
are on both sides of the road, be-
cause, as it is now / never fall off
twice in succession on the same
side. If fell on the same side al
ways it would get to be monoto-
nous after a while. This crea-
ture has been scared at every
thing he has seen except a hay
stack. He walked up to that
with an intrepidity and reckless
ness that were astonishing. And
it would fill any one with admira-
ton to see how be preserved his
self-possession in the presence OF
a barley sack. This daredevil
bravery will be the death of this
horse some day.


He is not particularly fast, but
| think he will get me through the
holy land. He has only one fault.
His tail has been chopped of, or
else he has sat down on it too
hard some time or other, and he
has to fight the flies with his heels.
This is all very well, but when he
tries to kick fly off the top of his
head with his hind foot, there is
too much variety. He is going to
get himself into trouble that way
some day. He reaches around and
bites my legs, too. l do not care
particularly about that, only | do
not like to see q horse too sociable.


l think the owner OF this prize
had a wrong opinion about him.
He had an idea that he was one
of those fiery, untamed steeds, but
he is not of that character. IL
know the Arab had this idea, be-
cause when he brought the horse.
out for inspection in Beirout, he
kept jerking at the bride and
shouting in Arabic "Ho, will
you? Do you want to run away,
you ferocious beast, and break
your neck 2" when all the time the
horse was doing nothing in the
world, and only looked like he
wanted to lean up against some
thing and think.
Year: 1869

IT is said that the juice OF one
lemon a day, taken in hot water,
will cure the most obstinate case
of neuralgia. No sugar should be
taken, as it has a tendency to
counteract the effects of the lemon
juice.
Year: 1869

oily Of the telegraph will not repress
their political freedom in a similar
manner, and place them in the same
situation Of subsection to the Govern
ment. I shall, therefore, in my next
communication, attend to the inquiry
whether freedom of the telegraph is
not a necessary incident of freedom
of the press.


Truly yours,


LION TROUSBALE.
Year: 1869

the result. A negro struck the Irish


man on the head with pick, fearfully


mangling his skull, from the effects of
which he Immediately expired.
During the melee two eoloTed laborers
were beaten TO such an extent that
their recovery is considered doubtfuI:-
This put an end to the row; but when
and by whom the money was depos-
tied there yet remains q mystery. 1t
bears the appearance Of ancient coin,
some pieces dating as far back as ZIG.
Year: 1869

A proposition for a convention Of
the press Of Tennessee, which We be
Geve emanated from the West Ten
nessee Uhig, has been well received
end favorably commented upon by
weekly as well as daily Journals. We
endorse it heartily. There is not
State in the Union where the mem-
bers of the press ere "a ''strange" to
each other as in Tennessee, and not
one where there is so little of that
unity and spirit so essential to the
dignity and tone of the press. In or
der that desired reforms may be at
tained we unite with our brethren in
the call for a press convention, to be
held at Nashville in October.
Year: 1869

The following is the partial story of an Indian fighter who came of minus his bar on tue top of his head

 "When fell went over backward drop ping my gun, and 1 had got just half way up again, the squaw ysnkiug me by the hair, when the Indian clubbed my gun ard struck me across the neck. The blow stunred me; The squaw kept screecbing and pulling my hair by handsfull l heald some one of our boys shouting, close by and tue squaw started and run, one of the boys killing her not three rods off. The Indian stepped one foot on my chest, and with his kand gathered up the hair near crown of my heid. He wasn't very tender about it but jirked my head his way and that, like Satan. My eyes were patty open and could see the headwork and trimming on bis leggins. Suddenly felt the aW fullest biting, cutting flash go round my head, and then 1t seemed to me as if my whole head bad been jirked clean off never felt such pain in al my life; it was like pulling your brains right out. did not know any more for two or three days, and when 1 came to 1 had the sOrest head of any human being that ever lived. If the boys did kill the viper, they didn't get back my scalp, perhaps itwas lost in the snow. Twas shipped down to Larnie after bit, and the nursing got ain't made the hair grow on this spot yet"
Year: 1869

Says the San Bernardino Guardian Our little burg was considerably exercised, at least some of the inhabitants thereof, on Tuesday last, by the report of new and rich gold dig gings having been discovered in the vicinity of Lyte Creek, Some 40 or 50 persons have left town altogether for the new placerS, and as many more hold themselves in readiness to go as soon as the locality is known. All sorts of rumors are afoat, as to the extent, and prob- ab le richness of the new golconda. To satisfy the public mind in regard to the discovery, we prosecuted our search until we found out every thing about them We learn from authentic sources that the placers are close about and between the headwateEs of the San Gabriel and Colorado rivers Numbers of our readers are aware that a great deal of prospecting has been done in that section of the country and claims have been found that paid as high as four ounces to the hand per day.