smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

From the Boston Iraveler.l


Most of the silk goods used in this
country are woven in France. That
country is perhaps more largely en-
gagged in the manu- facture than any
other country. III 1868 France eX-
ported silk stuffs to the value of SG6, =
SOO,0oD. The importation Of silk to
this country during the recent war
was less than ii had previously been,
but since the return of peace the
demand has revived and the amount
imported is about as large as ever.


Though the mulberry tree flourish
es well here silk has never been
produced to any great extent in this
country. Those who are past mid
die life will recollect the 'siIk fever"
that swept over New England about
forty years ago. Every farmer set
out a row of mulberry trees, and
when people met, the talk was of
NOTUs NuiticQHIits and raising silk
worms. But labor here is too
dear To make it profitable 10 gather
leaves by hand To feed silk worms
Some excellent silk was made yet
the business was not TemuDcrative
simply because the product cost
more than it was worth.


The manufacture OF silk is success
fully prosecuted though the raising
of it has net been till recently. Silk
goods of great excellence are woven,
but they are sometimes made t. bear
French names To make them more
saieable.


Notwithstanding the failure Of silk
culture in this country third OF a
century ago, it is possible for US to
IGOduce our own silk. California
has taken it up. The exhibition of
raw silk at the Stockton agricultural
fair, and at the Mechanics Fair at
San Francisco, which we saw not
long since. shows the capability OF
our State. With the introduction
of Chinese labor California may be-
come one Of the greatest silk produc-
ing sections oftlie world. The pTairieS
of the West every section of land
in our country il suited to the grow tn
of the mulberry. We look forward
to the time, and that not very far
distant, when silk cUltnTa @hu iiiail-
ufactiIrt. will hn -sic of The great IN
,.n.tris,a pr The United States. Those
who are engaged III it are making il
profitable, and we predict rapid
development, especially in Caiifor-
mia. We commend the subject anew
tn the agriculturists Of the country
Year: 1869

baths during the summer, but with
out any benefit, was entirely cured


IN less than second by flash OF
lightning The same story is related
OF an invalid in one of the Austrian
hospitals: Being lucky CROUCH one
day to stand in the way of the at
mostpheric spark, he was enabled
without delay 10 leave the establish
ment and resume his work.


Scoreaby mentions somewhat
similar fact which occurred to .
passenger on the now celebrated
packet boat New York, already
alluded to more than once in these
pages. Like the American lust
quoted. this person, favored by light
nIng, was paralyzed for many years.
He was 50 astonished at finding HIM
self suddenly cured, that for some
time he ram about the deck like a
mailman. The other passengers be-
leved that he had lost his senses.
However, they soon learned what
had happened, and admired the un-
known mysterious influence which
had produced so marvellous an effect.


Suzanna Schmact was an old
maiden lady, so completely paralyZed
since her childhood that she could
never move Step without the aid
OF crutches. One day when alone in
her chamber she heard a most vio-
lent clap of thunder. Much alarm
ed, she fell upon her knees to implore
protection from the Almighty. At
TINS moment she heard a knock at
her door it was her brother who
wished To see her. She recognized
his voice, and Immediately looked
round for her crutches Not finding
them at once she prepared to crawl
toward the door-her only means of
progression when the c=utches were
not at hand The fright, the shock
her system had just before received.
had performed marvellous cure
Who knows but what natural cleo
tr!city will be one day utilized medic
ally IN the neigh borhood of our light
ming conductors The larvels we
nave already exhibited, and
those which still remain to be men
toned, are far from proving that
ialth must be attached to the dreams
of Missionaries, but they are still far
ther from demonstrating that it is
possible 10 draw any limits to the
power Of lightning.
Year: 1869

Mobile is now in undisputed possession of
an array of Illinois editors who invaded that
city on the 2Gtb. They will hold possession
for afew days They arrived by New Orleans
and return to Cairo BY the river.
Year: 1869

Total S15, 1853
sums OF proposed expenditures and receipts, there
results deficiency OF s20,272007 for the year
is ~ a very seon %
consideration OF that body. There has already peen
much discussion thereupon in the press and In pri
the expenses and increase the receipts, although it
Will be found to be scarcely possible TO do the for
admits Of no reduction Of the army, but rather an in


thereof creating larger expenses In that d.
rection, while TO collect larger revenue is hardly
possible as business Ia stagnant and capital ana cap
italists are looking elsewhere for investment.


In reference to the latter the Gooe Of the 25th re-
marks:-"More than thirty individuals belonging to
the commerce OF this city, leave bv the French
steamer which sails from Vera Cruz on the 18th OF
March. We are told that the most OF these depart
for good, and that ohershave only portion OF their
capital in the business which they have pursued
here Foreigners who are Withdrawing their capital
furnish an evidence Of the confidence aud content
which reigns now In all classes OF Mexican society,"


The Intentions Of Lozada, the Indian chief OF
Tepc, not well understood. On the 18th OF
January he issued the following circular at san
Luis:-'From the year 1867 until now I have re-
NAMED at the head OF these people. During this
long period have been governing three times for
the liberal, twice for the conservative and once for
the imperial government and during all OF this time
have consecrated myself exclusively to the service
OF the people, struggling without rest In the defence
OF their legitimate rights and have the satisfaction
OF saying that not only have succeeded In making
their rights TO be respected and OF value but have
guaranteed them for the future for which purpose
have remained in charge Of the special government
OF the people of this State. But fatlgued with those
tolls and for the most powerful reasons, which, IN


the proper time win be made known, 10 is necessary
thatT should separate myself from the direction Of
the people with which ! have been encharged In
order 10 enjoy some repose and quiet. To this end
nave the honor TO nominate ~ my place Colonel DO.
mingo Nava, TO whom tho archives have been passed
over and who takes possession of his ofice from
this date. have the honor 10 communicate this to
you for your knowledge and In order that you and
those under your command may have an under
standing with the Aforesaid Colonel Nava upon ali
Year: 1869

The week rust closed must, to some extent. be
regarded as an exceptional one, as although we
have been gradually approaching q period Of ex.
ceedng dulness still in view OF the many announce


snts for sales next week ana succeeding ones, the
dearth OF transactions this week cannot be put down
wholly the termination of the season so-callsd,
although the period OF complete inactivity which
usually intervenes between the two great seasons OF
auction sales--the spring and ral-Is near. The
principal business during the summer IS in suburban
property, which far this year sold well, at high
figures, but not rapidly or with any appearance OF
undue speculative appreciation. Whether 1t win SO
continue is problem about as difficult Of solution
as how long the present high prices In stocks will
prevail. There are great many who say that there
must be break, but in the majority or cases they
give but insufficient reasons Tor The faith that Is
III them.


One OF the largest transactions in Westchester
county property this year occurred this week, being
the purchase by Christian Sehaeler OF this city, at
private sale, OF the property at MelrOse known ~
Karl's Germania Park for $4,000.
Year: 1869

zAe yns.ed states Us. John o. AcHeniy.- trial
Of this case was resumed and after very able and
elaborate summing UP on the part Of counsel for the
aefence followed by District Attorney Perrepont for
the government the case was closed


Judge Benedict then charged the jury, that body
retiring at three O'Clock for deberation. Up to o
hate hour the jury had not agreed upon verdict, it
being generally admitted that as an OFFSET in favor
Of the accused from the delberatiOn OF the jury
the previous trial. when the difficulty was supposed
20 have been as between q convicting majority and
acquittng minority last evening il stood as be-
tween an acqufting majority and . convictlng
minority.
Year: 1869

PLACE the hive on table or level spot
OF ground in the shade, tack square
yard or more of muslin or linen to the
top side of the alighting board, and
spread 1t out as a carpet or which to place
the bees then, if the limb on which the
bees have "settled" be worthless, gently
cut it of, carry and lay it on the cloth !;
with large spoon place few bees near
the entrance and they will all soon crawl
in. Should any remain outside under the
porticO, they should be brushed down
with quill feather until ali have entered.
as, if the queen should remain outside, the
bees would soon leave the hive; when all
have entered, the hive should Immediately
be removed tn where it is designed it shall
permanently remain. Great care should
be taken to have the sides of the hive
level with each other, while the back end
should be raised about three inches higher
than the front, thus forming (of the bot
tom board) an inclined plane, and render
ing it easy for the bees to clean their hive
Of moths and dust. When the swarm
alghts on the body or limb of a tree, or
upon the limb of a valuable tree, they
may be very quietly and gently brushed
with quill feather into a box or open
basket, and then quickly covered, carried
TO the hive. shaken out upon the cloth,
and induced to enter, as above directed


Bees dislike to be brushed with hairy or
woody substances.-MaryLdnd Farmer.
Year: 1869

DON'T come to the city, my boy. Your
chance, in the long run, is better where
you are. Hundreds, indeed, make for
tunes here, but thousands live wearisome
and even suffering lives in the city Clerks
have larger salaries than young farmers,
but then their expenses for boarding,
clothes, and amusements, are SO much
larger, that less is saved at the end of the
year. Then the temptations Of the city
are so strong and so constant that few
young men resist them. Not many young
city clerks, even if they avoid bad company
are able early in life to have a home of
their own. A young man in the country,
soon after his time becomes his own, can
secure capital enough, with an economical
wife, to set up housekeeping for himself,
and have a quiet, comfortable, and even
beautiful little home of his own. One of
the wealthiest men in the vicinity of Bos-
ton, who died a few years since, said the
happiest years of his life were passed
when he was gathering, very slowly, the
beginnings of his fortune When he mar
ried, he and his wife were worth, each,
twenty-five cents, and they labored low
ingly and happily together. This was GER
tainly very small fortune for two TO
commence upon, but they were worth
hundreds OF thousands when they died,
gathered by economical labor The writer
knows an excellent young man in this city
who is now nearly thirty. He has long
been engaged to a young lady of fine tai
ents and a good temper. 1t would be a
great comfort to both TO be married but
then, his salary, although quite large,
would not support them in the style of
life to which the young woman has been
accustomed in her own home. Besides,
the position of clerks is very uncertain.
By the failure of what was considered one
of the strongest houses in the city, this
young man was thrown out of place and
salary for six months. Stick to the plow
then, or to some solid, wholesome trade.
You will then be sure of comfortable
living. You can earlier have home of
your own, and you will be less exposed to
the constant changes in business, which
destroy at one blow the earnings of years.
american Agriculturist.
Year: 1869

NEARLY every one has some method OF
destroying the curculiO, but few of those
suggested seemed to be of any practical
value. The use of whale oil, soap, kero-
sene oil, smoke, salt, lime, sulphur, tar,
cotton and wool twisted around the tree,
or any of these is of no avail. The curculiO
will still make his halfmoon incision and
deposit his egg. The only process that
has yet proved itself effective in my ex-
per;ence is to jar or shake the tree every
morning from the time the fruit is as large
as pea until 1t is fully two-thirds grown.
BY pasting newspapers together and plac-
ing them under the tree, fitting them close
ly around the trunk, the curculio will fall
on the paper when the tree is shaken, and
can be easily destroyed. BY practising
this plan on your plum trees every morn
ing, as directed the fruit can be saved. 1t
is sometimes necessary to thin out the
fruit, especially of young trees, which are
apt TO set more fruit than they can ripen.
and unless relic we'd in this way very often
die after the first heavy crop is matured,
1t is better for the fruit itself to thin it
out, also that which is left To ripeo being
improved by it-Erperimentd Farm Jour
nal.
Year: 1869

FROM an article on this subject in the
Journal Of agriculture we extract as fol-
lows


" In this not, drouthy climate, mulch is
an aid that is not fully appreciated All
the berries need it extremely The black
berry Uawton) may be mulched with ma
nure. 1t will bear it, and thrive under it.
But the raspberry, especially, must be
protected in drouth, if 1t would succeed
well SO the currant.


POTATOES also may be mulched to ad-
vantage; cover all the space between the
rows, and weeds will no more trespass,
nor moisture abstract. The potato wants
all the moisture it can get in droutb.
Ashes thrown over any mulch, or without
mulch, will benefit the crop Strew along
the hills. if no more, and there will be an
increased growth moisture and fertility
will be added.


For special mulch, we know nOthing q
better than green grass or weeds, or gar
den-weedipgs, sprinkled with leached
ashes. If the ground is previously moist
ened, the severest drOuth will be inef-
iectual. Besides, the ashes are a benefit,
as well as the decaying grass ara weeds.
Ashes, like plaster, are an attracter OF
moisture, and hence the benefit to the
mulch We have tried this with The finest
effect and would be 10th TO do without it.


"All the ground in the smaller fruits
should be covered at the beginning of the
drouth term. Tie better way is to coat
rather lis htly after the soil has been thor
Ougfty stirred. This last POINT cannot be
too much insisted upon In mulching,
however, the error IS not in coating too
thick but in not extending the coat far
enough. A whole orchard, unless the trees
are wide apart, should have the covering,
as the roots extend so as to intermingle
With each other. and the mulch should be
spread so as To cover all the roots"
Year: 1869

A few weeks since we published an ac-
count of a little business transaction in
which President Grant figured as prin-
cipal, which Transaction, although credit
able to his sharpness, was scarcely likely
to add to his reputation for honesty ard
fair dealing. Like Messrs. "Dodson &


FOgg," he showed himself to be a keen
practitioner where his own interests were
affected, and, like that illustrious firm,
also, he showed clearly that any trifiing
scruples on the score of honor would not
deter him from attaining his object. The
matter we allude to was the agreement to
sell his house, in Washington, to Mr..
Sayles j Bowen. the present Postmaster
of that CITY, for the pleasant little sum OF
$4,000 Considering that this house was
gift, and consequently cost him nothing,
the speculation was not a bad one and the
sum realized should have been eminently
satisfactory. So thought the President at
the time, and the Dreliminaries for the
transfer being agreed upon, the sale was
looked upon as a bona sde transaction.
Now comes the interesting part of the
story. Hardly was the agreement con-
cluded between Grant and Bowen, when
along cone some friends of Gen. Sher-
man, then appointed Commander-in Chief
OF the Armies of the United States, who
desired TO secure the same house for their


princlT al Of course President Grant in
formed them that the house was sold, and
that they were somewhat zoo late. But
they must have the mansion, and would give
100000 for it. All, here was a horse
of another color Twenty thousand
dallrs was not to be thrown away
On account of any mere scruple of
honor or integrity! Certainly not For
getful of the words of the immortal bard,


ne who steals my purse, steals trash ;
put ne who steals mine honor" &C., the
Year: 1869

PREs1pENT GRANTS affection for the


soldier is notorious; so deeply and fondly


does he love these brave warriors who
were the means of elevating him to the
position which he now occupies, that he
is unwilling that they should be contain
mated by contact with the politicians who
abound in our postOffices and custom
houses, and so removes them from posi-
tions W hich they hold in these and other
government offices, all over the country.
How exceedingly thoughtful this is, and
what fatherly interest he evinces IN their
moral welfare Unfortunately, however,
for the temporal welfare of these dis
placed soldiers, they relied entirely on the
positions which they he'd for the bread
they ate, and their removal by the one
who should be their best friend is likely to
occasion much misery and suffering among
them. These are among the survivors OF
the great civil war, whose services, as we
mentioned yesterday, have been almost
forgotten, and their claims are fast being
ignored Gen Grant, however, should be
the last man to forget them, for it was
by the sacrifice of thousands of lives such
as these, that he succeeded in gaining the
notoriety which has been so useful to him.
A useless sacrifice, in many instances, 1T
was; but he succeeded in attaining his
object, and what mattered the destruc-
ton of a few thousands more or less, or
what matters the claims which these men
have on MIN now, He does not now need
the support of the soldiers, although dur
ing the late campaign he did, and the most
brilliant promises were made to them. In
every part of the country public in
dignation has been aroused by the
removal of soldiers from positions to
which thev had been appointed
by the last administration, and
which they were, it is said. In every way
capable of filling From Buffalo comes a
wall from the Radical press on account of
the removal of several we'll known ex-
army officers from the custom-house in
that city. These men, the Buffalo paper
say, were capable and had always attended
faithfully to their duties They certainly
had claims on the present administration,
such as none but the most ungrateful OF
mankind would ignore; out their services
are not now required, their day is past,
and the man whom their bravery, and that
of those like them, mas elevated to posi-


tion which daZzles him, and which he
promises to disgrace, cares nothing for
them. Republics are said to be migrate
full, but the iDgratitit,le of an Individual
whose brain has been turned by sudden
elevation is incomparably more disgrace
full and saddening.-Atbany Argus, June 4
Year: 1869

FAR aw y down on ST. Anthony street
is row of dilapidated buildings, moss
grown and worm eaten, where the vine
excludes the light, and the shadows OF
noon are as fresh and cool rs the air at
dawn. The GENITAL one is inhabited by a
wizard, whom the people around him call
voudou. He is wrinkled and gray with
age, and his long white beard reaches his
waist STOPPING and palsed, his walk is
slow, but his fierce, black eyes gleam with
baleful light. He was sought few days
since by one who had lost some treasure.
1t was supposed the old mans supernatu-
raj power could enable him To find it.
The man told his story of how a thief in
the dead of night had entered his house,
and carried away his property. The old
man looked at him earnestly for a moment,
and then inquired:


You want me 10 find it?"


"Yes."


"Money them" and he extended his
withered hand for the accustomed dole,
which was readily paid.


Now listen To me-" said the wizard.
Do you see this sticky" holding to him
an oaken staff


Eyes"


"Well, now you must mount it, as
when child you rode stick horses, and go
csperlng up the street, shouting, lost |!
lost lost -


"Why people will laugh at mer'


." No matter. Do as bid you, and al
most before you know it, "A beautiful wo-
man will appear, and lead you where the
stolen treasure is concealed"


lncrt dible rs it may appear, the man
had fail to follow his instructions.
Mounted on his stick horse be went caper-
ing up the street yelling lost lost lost !
People poked their heads out of the win
dows to inquire the meaning of the singu.
lar spectacle, but the only reply to eager
QUESTIONING was the cry Of lost lost lost


A policeman happening along supposed
the poor fellow crazy and took him to the
lookup, from whence next morning he
was sent to the asylum. But it being soon
ascertained tat he was only superstilious,
and not mad, he WAS released thoroughly
cured of his belief in voudou prescicnce.
lie at once Instituted suit against the aged
wizard for obtaining money under false
pretences. But the old man contending
that if his instructions had been followed
ne would assuredly have met the beautiful
lady and recovered the treasure, the jus
tice dismissed the case remarking simply
that fool and his money are soon
parted" "-Ne'o Orleans Pic,yune, Nay 27.
Year: 1869

TIE subjoined item is given for the
benefit of such infants as are being
brought up on the bottle: "There is a
microscopic fungus always found in milk
after being exposed for fifteen or twenty
hours to the air In summer, even before il
tastes the least sour. Some German ply
sicians think this fungus the cause of di>-
turbances of digestion in children fed on
milk and they say that these often cease
when precautions are taken, such as to
give the milk as fresh as possible, and to
keep it in bottle completely filled and
tightly cOrked. 1t should also be kept at
temperature as nearly as possible that of
the milk as it comes from the cow"


KALsoMINING is a species of " hitewash
ing, but differs from 1t in that instead Of
line, Paris white is used "This paint"
says the MANUFACTURER and Builder, "is a
sulphate of baryta, and may be procured
at any drug or hardware store In order
TO prepare kalsomine. soak one fourth Of a
pound OF glue overnight in tepid water
The Eext day put IL into tin vessel, with
quart OF water, set the pail in kettle of
water over the fire until il bols, and then
stir constantly till the que is dissolved


Next, take from six to eight pounds Of
Paris white, in another vessel, Dcur on
hot water and stir until it has the appear
ance OF lime milk. Add the sizing, stir
well, and apply it to the wall with an or
dinary whitewash brush while yet warm"


MUCK -" WHAT is Muck ?"-This
question comes to us almost every month
In the year, and now and then we answer
it. as We would be glad to DO twelve times
IN year II that were necessary. Muck
is money" SAYS an English prOyerb. Muck
is manure in English psrlance, ana covers
pretty much everything that is soft or
moist and pasty. We apply the word al
most exclusively in our agricultural tech
nology to the partly decayed vegetable
matter of swamps ard peat mosses-even
applying it to peat fit for fuel, if il be used
as manure or as an absorbent in cattle
stalls. After getting it out, let it freeze
and thaw, or if on drying it is not very
hard and lunpy, compost itwith lime and
1t will become fine and crumbly. 1t is
often rich in ammonia and always useful
in composts.-American AgricMturist
Year: 1869

A NEVADA miner recently sent on East
for his family, and, when he met them, the
other day, his wife could not recognize
him until he had shaved, and bribes of
sugar plums alone reconciled his children
to calling him papa.