smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859




at the lower landing, the great sugar depot,
there was not that activity have noticed at this
season OF the year. The crop is hort-the frost
has cut short the fond hopes and antioipations of
thousands who obtain their livelihood one way or
another through the cultivation of sugar. Steam
boat propretors will feel the effects Of the deci
ency in the yield, and it will be only in certain
cases or instances that the grower planter will
receive, even with large advance in price, any
thing of comparative return with an average sea-
son. High prices will curtail consumption. The
talk closed yesterday with remarks about the
weather, prospects of rain, and the next steamer
from Europe, which will probably be the North
Breton OF the 10th from Liverpool for Portland,
now fully due. The next Cunard steamer will be
the Niagara of the 18th for Halifax.
Year: 1859

RESERVED AND ENGAGED LADIEs-The New York
correspondent of the Charleston Courier says:


The ladies who go to the opera, although they
dress spendidly and look beautifully, sometimes
present singular appearance upon leaving the
Academy. On the backs of nearly all the chairs in
the house are pinned small placards, on which are
printed the word Reserved " and sometimes Z" En-
gagged" 1t is not an unfrequent occurrence to see
some of the ladies, like horse before an auction
store, with one of these placards sticking to her
back, walking unsuspectingly home.


The same writer relates the following incident


hotel-keeper in this city only charges one dol
lar day for board. But when his guest wishes to
dollars for the night! A sufferer in this way came
before the Mayor to-day. The hotel man was
called up and informed by the Mayor that day
that he had better recoect that little circumstance
in the flight of time"
Year: 1859

received new steam corvette from England. She
is to mount eight heavy rihed guns, which are to


be provided for her at Naples. With that singular
taste which leads the Roman Hierarchy to give
names which are considered by it of sacred char
acer to dirty lanes and Streets to bells and other
things, this armed national vessel is called the
Immaculate Conception'
Year: 1859

The State of Missouri is possessed of the


vital and irrepressible energy Of New Eug


land without its Puritanism. She is full of
fresh vigor, not only in her economical, but


in her educational interests. She has entered


with the same zeal into the culture of mind


and character as into that of the vine, and


other material sources of wealth, and pronli-
ses to leave. older States far behind i'll the great


race of general improvement. We are aston
ished to compare the impressions of only a few
years since, which were entertained of Mssou-
ri, by the most intelligent and liberal people


Of the Eastern and Northern States, with
what they now are Certainly not ten years
ago, she was regarded as one of the spots on
our Western border, promising to be little else


than slave region, fertile in bowie-knives
gamblers, and desperadoes. Without the pol
ish of the older slave States, she had the wild
temper of Western border life-a violent, ad-
vcnturous and scarcely less than savage feroci-
ty, which kept a good class of settlers, and
even travellers Of timid disposition, out of
her limits. She had neither commercial nor
moral standing. Her merchants paid for dry
goods in land, which was reluctantly accepted
by the Eastern creditors in lieu of nothing
Within five years these lands have been beg
glng for purchasers at any price below dol
lar, or even fifty cents an acre 1t was a com
mon complaint that the lands of Northern
Missouri, though ort of the slave region.
could not be sold at the latter price, while no
better, across the Mississippi river, readily
brought twenty times the sum. Such was
Missouri less than ten years ago.


The change that has come over the State is
like transformation of magic. The light
has seemed to break from her sky all at once
1t was doubtless the comparison of slave al d
free labor that first Ito quote famous express
sion Of one of her own statesmen "set the
ball in motion of earnest and vigorous devel-
opment Her citizens have appeared to ull-
derstand their destiny of progress at once, and
instead Of opposing, they have heartily accept
ed it, and bent their fresh energies to carry it
forward. Practically, Missouri is already a
free State, the preceyt of freedom having been
adopted, and the mechanism only .eniaining ur- /
finished Her lands are already requiring the
freedom. No emigrant hesitates to buy them
because slavery is yet on a part Of the soil
and in proportion as this movement gathers
weight will their market price advance until
it will be seen and felt like a new Gospel that
the sleeping value of their lands has always
been greater than that of their slaves, and that
no commercial error Is so serious MS that Of
holding u money Investment in human mus
cles.-N. Y. Courier.
Year: 1859

devotions, why is that sons chair vacant >


Perhaps he is sleeping away the last night S


debauch. As you wend your way to the


house of God on the holy Sabbath, where is


the boy? You don't know. You should


know. In the earnest words of another, let


me tell you that Christian family government


should be such, that a son would no more


think of being absent from Church, or from
family prayers, or Sabbath school, than of
picking lock or telling lie.


We live in active, stirring times, in which
the allotted threescore and ten years may COM
prise more real life than Methusalab's nine
hundred. The field of benifcent exertion was
never so large as now nor was there ever a
time when true men were more urgently called
for in the various departments of Christian en-
terprise. 1t is not uncharitable to say that
the men of to-day fall far below the standard
of excellence required by the times. 1t is not
unkind to say that great multitudes of them
seem to be wholly unfit for the places they
must soon fill, whether prepared or unprepar-
ed. Let them know the truth and let parents
and teachers be assured that very serious res
possibilities rest upon them as leaders and
guides of the youth of our land.
Year: 1859




The London Times and the News each
have long articles on the Harper's Ferry af-
fair. The Times regards it as ''foolish and
wicked enterprise" to which there can be but
one issue, and does not affect to indulge the
hope that the commonwealth of Virginia and
Maryland will be moved by this event to take
into consideration the extinction of slavery
1t says: .a... .-


Putting aside the fact that such outbreaks
generally steel the heart instead cf softening
it, and that the yoke is likely to be pressed
down more heavily than ever on Negro neeks,
there are the great inducements of gain and
fear to support the system. Cotton is pro-
duced now in vaster quantities than ever, and
the value of negroes is nearly double what it
was some years back, for the increase by breed
ing does not kaep pace with the demand for
the newly settled country. As long as Vir-
ginia supplies the dealers of the South with
profit to herself, so long will owners keep a
firm grasp on their human property"


The News, which needs enlightenment on
American geography and politics, thinks that
"Harper's Ferry is particularly well and very
daringly chosen, if chosen at all, as the seat of
an insurrection. On the frontier between Vir-
ginia and Maryland, at the confluence of great
rivers and the junction of State railways and
a center of great Importance, even if there
had not been an arsenal from which great
negro population might be armed" .


1t expresses the conviction that ''if the mas
tiers were wise they would know how to turn
the occasion to advantage for getting rid of
their burden and curse; but Maryland slave
holders, who cannot bear the presence of the
free negro on any foot of soil in the State, are
not wise, and they will doubtless make the
worst of thir own case" ~


In thus setting down Maryland as especial
ly hostile to free negroes, the News writes in
entire forgetfulness, if not ignorance, of the
miserable failure of the Shareholders Conven-
tion in that State
Year: 1859

How. weaFily the life of sensitive and high
toned heart drags ON, when chained to con-
tinual routine of mechanical duties, and the
souls half articulated cry for sympathy, with
out an answer !! Faith often cures their long
ings. but it is SO hard to give a soul to heaven,
that has not been first trained in the fullest
and sweetest human affections. Too often
they fling away their hearts on an unworthy
object too often they pine in secret discon-
tent which spreads its leaden cloud over the
morning of their youth. The inmeasurable
distance between one of these delicate natures,
and the average youth among whom is like to
be nor only choice, makes ones heart ache


How many women are born too finely organi-
ned in sense and soul for the highway they
must, walk with feet unshod Life is adjusted
TO the wants of the stronger sexl There are
plenty Of torrents to be crossed in its journey
but their steppings are measured by the strides
ofIaau; and not of women.-71e Professor 4
Year: 1859

The CArissan I'uteHigencer has the following


under the above head


-e7"I into each life some rain must fall Sum
khine is very beautiful, and young hearts revel
init, but it is never so lovely as when it wraps
che earth in a robe of light after period of
storms 1t is not natural for youth with his
bright hopes and ardent energy, to rejoice in a
day which is curtained by Ieaden sky, and
fringed by the dripping rain. Yet 1 would plead
for the rainy day. 1t brings with it quiet home
Pleasures which should endear it to those whose
chosen resting place is by the fireside. 1t gives
space for thought and reflection, for looking
inward upon our own hearts, which cannot be
enjoyed when the flashing light, the SAPPHIRE
sky, and all the golden glory of sunny day,
are dissipating thought, and wooing us to enter
the great world without 1t brings the mem
bers of the family closer together, and unites
tlastn by stronger tie. The little daughter of
q fashionable mother once said to me, on a dull,
and lowering day, q 1 do hope it will rain fast
this afternoon 5t'Why?'' % Because, if it
rains mother will stay home with us, and can
get her to dress my DOLL Music never sounds
more sweetly than when, between each dying
chord, the low patter of the rain upon the roof
comes in for an accompaniment. tr g.


What is more musical than the rain isself
How. it dashes over your head, and drifts you
along to dream land, when at night its count
less performers take up the song of the stars
How it taps a, your window panes with its crys-
taliRef fingers, and wakens you to earnest effort
in the morning How. sweet the ripple of mel
ody which it stirs in the brook, when the drops
from above meet and shake hands with the
drops that are sleeping below! How soft the
lullaby with which it falls into the upturned
ehaIiees of the thirsty flowers


A rainy day is very favorable for the reading
of old letters There is charm in a bundle
of faded letters paper and ink alike yellow with
age, that the most enchanting book and the
brightest pictures fail to impart. You remem-
bcr when the little four-leaved folio was put in
your hands, ike an angel missive, each word
throbbed with affection. Perhaps the
hands that traced your name with those
little fond love words attached to it, has turned
to dust in the grave. Perhaps the blight of
misunderstanding or harshness has fallen be-
tween you, and the page you are reading comes
buck to you like the echo of forgotten love
Perhaps, the tiny missive is the first link in a
chain which has bound your heart to some kin
dred heart, and which cannot be broken until
death touches it with his icy wand. You could
not read those faded pages when the sun was
glaring in, oand laughing at the sentiment
hut the sky is in mourning, and the fearful
cloudssa are full of sympathy


Our lives are better for the rain that falls in
70 them. They who have known no sorrow
have nexerl felt the honey ey-dropping balm of
consolation. We are nearer heaven after the
ministry of grief. AS the rain drops fall gently
from the skies, SO may all things lovely and of
good report, fall into our human hearts,
Year: 1859

IN tIESTICuItuTttI eAcLlslIggt says =


An experienced agriculturist informs us
tnat about six years ago he applied lime to po-
tatces that were partly rotten and that it i'm
mediately arrested the decay. Since then he
has made it common practice to apply slak-
ed lime to his potatoes as he takes them up
He puts thin layer of lime upon the floor
where the potatoes are to be iaid and sprn-
kles some oft over them about every ten inches
as they are put down. He considers this as
perfectly protecting them from rotting, as he
never had a rotten potato since he has prac-
ticed it; and he believes also that potatoes
thus used are rendered better by the action of
lime"
Year: 1859

A correspondent of the Gotten Planter
gives method for making an obstinate horse
mule pull up hill or anywhere else, when his
muscles are equal to the work "T'ake
small rope, double it, makea loop at the double
end, and draw it snugly around the under jaw
OF the animal, just below his front teeth, with
loop underneath. Throw the loose end over
your shoulders, "and walk in the way he should
CO. holding fast and pulling steadily and firm
ly. Don't be troubled about him for he will
follow without fail after he has discovered how
you have "got him." This method will COM
pei an animal to stand still and allow bride
Or collar put on" lire ..-..-.
Year: 1859

Invest all of your capital in land, and run
i'll debt for more Hire money to stock your
farm. Have no faith in your own business
and always be ready to sell out. Buv mean
COWS and spawned horses, poor oxen and cheap
tools Use the oil of walnut freely whenever
your oxen need strength it is cheaper than
hay or meal keeps them lively, and pounds out
all the grubs. Never waste time in setting
out fruit trees fruit and leaves rotting around
place make it unhealthy.
Year: 1859

Found Out. ll s.-a 3aa .l.-4a IlT -4e.


Early one morning, the scholars of one of
our district schools were agreeably surprised
to find written upon the outside door, g No
Schulz" and most of them made preparations
to enjoy the holiday--not dreaming but that it
was a genuine order. 1t appeared, however,
that a lover of mischief more than his books,
had written in large letters the joyful news
No Schulz was the notice posted up; the
idea was understood but the spelling was bad.
The afternoon brought us all together, and in
the stern vsage of the schoolmaster enough
was seen to convince US that all was not right
he had been outwitted, and now came the
tug of war. -sf F..


He soon ordered the boys to appear before
his presence, and, one by one, criticised our
spelling as far as the word school was concern
ed. They stood the test, until the hero, with
his comic phz, made his appearance, who with
confidence distinctly said: ..F-


S-c-h-u-l-e p -G .......


The master took him by the collar and with
a joyful expression at the success OF the plan
to find him out, laid on the birch right merrily
Year: 1859

Sparkling Adventure.


The following incident, not put down in the
ballad of Sparkling Sunday Night, took place
in western village of New York: ......


A young gentleman residing in this vicinity
a week or two since met with an unpleasant
adventure, while leaving the house of his d,tl-
einea, where he had been engaged in that very
pleasant occupation, yclept sparkling" The
young man was bowed out sometime in the
B" wee sma' hours" but through the darkness Of
the morning, or from the intoxication of the
parting kiss, he became bewldered, strayed
from the path, and brought up some distance
from the house, by stepping into an open well
near twelve feet in depth, walled up by hol-
low tree, which was used for Watering cattle.
There was about four feet of water in the well
where this luckless. Lothario had to remain
till broad daylight as he was unable to get
out or make himself heard, SO as to bring as
sistance,
Year: 1859

Growing out of this refractory spirit, and
strongly allied to it, is the disposition SO gen


orally manifested BY young men to reject with
contempt the counsels of age and experience.
There is spirit of reckless independence
abroad which disdains to walk in the /" old
paths marked out by those who have gone
Year: 1859

WE understand that one of the clerks about
the City Building ordered new suit of clothes
expressly to attend the Chicago excursion.
Said clerk thinks his "ticket for soup" is q
long time coming.
Year: 1859

RAILROAD MEETING AT HIcKoRy PLAIS.-We give below the proceedings of the meeting at Hickory Plain on Satur- last, and trust that White River and Caro- line townships will hold meetings at as early day as possible. and each send their delegations to Hickory Plain on Saturday the 2d of April.
Year: 1859

OF An Irish gentleman, remarkable fot
his devotion to the fair sex, once remarked:
Never be critical on the ladies. Take it
Cor granted th,t they are all handsome aud
good. A true gentleman will never look on
the faults of pretty woman without shut.
ting his eyes,
Year: 1859

or 1t is said by some Yankee to be aa
excellent plan always to measure 9 meme
length before you kick him, for it is better
to bear an insult than to make an uusuccess.
full attempt at thrashing fellow, and get
your teeth knocked out.
Year: 1859

We have had occasion not untrequently, to
advise, publicly and privately, the farmer.
Of our country to be cautious in the choice OF
occupations for their sons, and particularly in
regard to their settlement in our large cities.
Agricultural pursuits, when industrously
prosecuted, are for the most part moderately
profitable, as well as safe. 1t is true they
may be subject to losses and reverses, but
not in the same proportion as other ave-
cations. One ofthe advantages of diligent
culture of the soil is the comparative freedom
from temptation. Men of vicious propens-
ties may be vicious any where, while it is
notoriously true that our cities afford the
widest scope for wickedness. and hold out al
lurements to the comparatively innocent and
inexperienced. which may prove too strong
for their virtue. When young men leave the
paternal farm to seek fortune in the city, We
have reason to apprehend the worst conse-
auences. How many of them have had rea
son to deplore the decision which led them
to abandon the plough for the store and cour-
ing-house! ...- ... ....E


Another form of the danger is referred to
in the following extract. Judge Marvin, III
the Circuit Court of Chautauque county


NeW 1OEk, WAS pIHCidhS Cdhco oh w p'N
nounce sentencepn a number young men
and boys for various misdemeanOrs: and
finding they were generally the sons of far
mers, he took occasion in the course OF his
remarks to give the following sensible ad-
montion and advice to farmers


Before sentencing these boys ! have few
words to say TO the men Of Cbautauque county.
the agrculturists in particular, some o! whom are
here to-day looking on the saddest scene II has
ever been my lot to see in the county; SO many
boys farmers sons, too, all Of them to be sent to
the penitentiary for stealing and burglary. Far
mers Of Chantauqpe county, when your boys get
large enough to work, find work for them at home
on no account let them go into the city or village
10 work nor let them go 10 teaming; care not II
they can get fifty dollars per month, it will be
dead loss. They will just as surely follow the
example of these boys now before you, as they
leave the sacred and restraining influences Of
home. Give them plenty Of good books and pa
pers, make home pleasant, and keep them there
until they are of age, and have the wisdom to resist


the temptation Of the high wages On the road OF in
the tavern. but obtained at tho expense Of good
y. Obserrer.
Year: 1859

The population of California, drawn
together almost in day, as it we're.
from all parts of the civilized world, is
still made up Of mass of disconnected
but not discordant elements Our peo
pie, thickly strewn though they be, pc
nearly all strangers to each OTTER.
Daily and hourly they meet and pass,
but never commune, except when and
so far as business requires. They
seldom meet for social interco urse, and
when thew do happen to come together
for purposes of pleasure, it is rather as
a matter of necessity, arising from ire
sistible desire for few hours recreation
from long and constant toll and under
those circnmsta tances, that pleasure is
sought only in the excitement, and in a
manner calculated to exhibit the lowest
and not the highest attributes OF our
nature. In these occasional gatherings
men see nothing in their fellows which
excites desire to extend intercourse
with them. They become disgusted, !,
and avoid more intimate acquaintance;
their thoughts again turn inward, and
everything become centered in self
Sierra Cattzem,
Year: 1859

He is unwise and unhappy who never
forsets the injuries he may have re-
ceived they are indented on his face,
making the visage Of the injured man
frightful, like neglected wounds inflicted
upon the stately tree, and which might
have been effaced by the careful hus
bandman They come home to his
heart like when the sunshine of hap
piLess would bless him. and throw him
into tumult that not easily subsidies
] he demon of hate reigns in his bosom,
and makes him &C all accountable
creatures the most misera BILE.


Have you been injured in purse or
character Let the smiling angel Of
forgiveness find repase in your bosom
and you will be fully revenged, and
what is of more consequence, your
health and peace Of mind will be i'm :
proved.
Year: 1859

DoN'T BE PoIsoNED.-A correspond.
ent of The London Literary Gazette,
alluding to the numerous cases of death
from accidental poisoning, adds:


venture to affirm that there is scarce
cottage in this country that does not
contain an invaluable, certain, immedi.
ate remedy for such events, nothing
more than dessert spoonful of made
mustard mixed in a tumbler of warm
water and drank Immediately. 1t acts
as an emetic, is always ready, and may
be used in any case where one is re-
quired. But take this simple antidote,
and you may be the means of saving
many followscreature from an untimely
end.
Year: 1859

UNDOUBTEDLY FAcT.-Boys, il
you don't want to fall in love, be sure
and keep away from muslin You can
no more play with girls without losing
your hearts, than you can play with
gamblers without losing your money.
rhe heart-strings of woman, like the
tendrills Of vine, are always reaching
out for something to cling to. The
consequence is, that before you know
that you are going you are gone like a
lot at auction
Year: 1859

Stay WHERE You ARE.-Do not
live and carry on your business with the
expectation or wish to sell out Moth
ing will keep man so much in state
OF indecision. Living from day to DAY
with the idea that just as soon as you
have chance, you are going to sell, is
one of the poorest ways of getting along.
Make up your mind to stay where you
are. Apply energy and. headwork to
your operations, and determine to make
home.
Year: 1859

Gold cannot bring youths ruddy glow


Back to the cheek Of fading beauty;
1t cannot hush the still small voice


That hints of long neglected duty.
1t cannot heal broken heart,


Throbbing with some unburthened sorrow
For words that wiring the soul to-day,


Gold cannot bring relief Tomorrow.
Year: 1859

BEAUTIFUL PICTURE mother
teaching her child to pray, is an object
at once the most sublime and tender
the imagination can conceive. Elevated
above earthly things, she seems like one
of those guardian angels, the companion
Of our earthly pilgrimage, through whose
ministrations We are .noiitied to dc good