smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

GAS METER SwINDLING. The New
York Herald says: Formerly gas
was thirty-five cents per hundred
cubic feet in Brooklyn. When a new
company was organized the price was
then reduced by the old company to
twenty-five cents but, strange to re-
late, the gas bills became nearly dou-
bled. Whether this was effected
by cheating at the meter, or by the
inferior quality of the gas, which
causes double the quantity to be con-
sumed, there appears to be no doubt
OF the fact itself. One gentleman re-
Gently, in paying bill exorbitantly
high, observed to the managers of the
concern that he hoped they would not
reduce the price of gas again. 1t is
notorious that sometimes the men who
are sent to examine the meter never
come at all, and sometimes they do not
take the trouble of looking at it with
light, but enter in the book certain
number of feet by guesswork. In very
many cases, where little or no gas has
been burned, outrageous bills Of from
seven to nine dollars are furnished !;
and when these parties, indignant at
the fraud, put all the burners on full
blast, and consume all the gas they
can, by way of experiment, they find
their bills actually less than before.
The meters arc, for the most part,
humbugs, Of no value whatever, par
ticularly the wet meters. Every man
ought to have dry meter, which does
not admit of the same amount of cheat
ing, provided it is correctly made.
But the best way is to break down the
monopoly by establishing wholesome
competition. As it is now, the citi-
zens are literally robbed by fraudulent
gas bills"
Year: 1861

A little boy, kneeling at his mothers
knee to say his evening prayer, asked
leave to pray in his own words, and
with child-like simplicity said "God
bless little Willie, and don't let the
house burn up; God bless papa and
mamma God bless me and make my
boots go on easy in the morning"
Year: 1861

The following IS considered by old
and experienced farmers as a pretty
sure remedy for the potato rot y
Select suitable piece of ground !:
plow the full depth of the good soil,
and, as the old farmer says, so as to
"tnrn up a leetle CALLER dirt" then
subsoil ; manure as highly as possible
1t doesn't matter much with what
so that it be rich, and enough of it
and, when yoI have done all the rest
plant a0ith Indian corn
Year: 1861

General Scott received an anony-
nous communication last night, noti-
flying him that an attempt would be
made to poison the horses attached to
the different batteries aow here, in
order to render that arm of the service
useless.
Year: 1861

The Pass viii be snbservient to none but
Wiu be free to advocate our own honest opinions,
though We may stand Hlone.


Wewil advocate what we believe to be for our
country's good, avoiding the one-sided views OF
the bigoted portisan, and the cant of the ultra
seetionalist


We win advocate high toned morality-bs-
Isying the press to be the grand lever by which
civilization isadysncsd, and the problem ofman's s
sHcial and political happiness completely solved.


The-PREss win have large space devoted to
Literature, and the Arts and Sciences, besides
choice selections from the best writer's, and a
considerable amount of original matter


summary of the daily news which will be
likely to interest the general reader, and care
vi report of the Markets, at home and abroad.
viii be given each week.


To make the Press o welcome visitant to
the family circle shall be our highest aim.
Year: 1861

port. 1t will not only, as soon as it
becomes known, drive all commerce
away. but, as it has already done in
Charleston, will throw the white Ia
boring men, and the free negroes into
distress and destitution.


The only thing now in Charleston
called by the name of Union is
what one of your journals calls the
Noontide Prayer Meeting. Invent
to the Globe street Church this morn
ing to hear what the elect think of Sc
cession. The Presbyterian clergyman
whom | heard pray besought the Lord
that they might not be plunged, by
their enemies, into Civil War, and, in
the next breath prayed that they maight
succeed in their attack upon the Fed
eral Government and its property.


CHARLESTON, Jan. 31.-The cotton
battery is said to be failure, which, ]
presume, will account for the no small
denying all knowledge Of it When it
was nearly completed some one dis
covered that it could not float. / saw
this extraordinary work. of art, and
can vouch for its existence and al
though the Mercury's correspondent at
Washington seems to bave been igno-
rant of its whereabouts, the Mercury's
editor was thoroughly posted, and was
silent.


A large floating battery is in the
course of construction at the foot of
Hazel street, which / inspected this
Year: 1861

A LIoS's LOVE FOR A BLACK TioRiss.--
Tho Philadelphia North American records
the following singular case


Z" In one compartment Of the cage In which
tho animals perform ut Van Amburg's beau
tiful menagcrie, in Chestnut Street Is hugo
tawny Asiatic lion. His roommate Is
black female tiger. The tiger Is small a.
compared with the regal lion, but J, highly
valued as geological curiosity, and the only
specimen Of tho black tigerin this country.
She was purchased by Mr.. Van Amburg two
years ago, and has lived with the lion ever
since. The attachment between the two Is
something remarkable. When other AMI
mails are in the same cage and any afront II
offered to the little tiger she runs under tho
belly of the lion and woe to the animal that
dares to approach her. No matter how
hungry he may be, the lion never touches his
share Of their daily meat until his little chum
has selected her share, and even this he new
er touches until certain she has had enough.
All the animals are as fat a. moles, but this
black tiger is aldermanic In Its propositions,
and no remedy exists for the matter. Sho
has been twice removed from the lion, but
until she was returned, the generous beast
would neither take food nor rrst, while tho
frantic manner In which he dashed at Tho
bars Of hs cage was q sufficient warning that
the further detention Of the tigar would DO
dangerous matter. Should his mate die tho
lion would probably pine TO death. Once
when she was taken away q lioness was sub
stituted. The lion instantly iell upon her,
and ut single bite broke her spine, and
crushed some Of her ribs. Careful nuning
saved her life, and she is still living, but with
her hinder parts immovably panlyscd.
Year: 1861

will suffice to cure the bacon, when they
may be hung up to dry. first rubbing them
over with coarse bran, or any sort OF saw
dust except deal II smoking be preferred
hang in chimney If not in dry airy
part Of the kitchen, not too near the FIRE. We
are not acquainted with the Limerick mer-
camille processes the Wicklow is similar


to that given above, and practised BY farmers
there"
Year: 1861

Are composed of Vegetable ingredients exclusively,
as can be ascertained by chemical tests. Their
prominent qualities are those of an active and
searching though perfectly mild and agreeable de-
ten gent sperient of gentle suporihe, promoting
the insensible perspration Of pleasant diuretic,
delightful tonic cardiac exciting appetite by the
demands of active digestion, and cheering the mind
with that grateful of renovated health which
of the felicitona feelinga of our natnra
Year: 1861

have no cause of quarrel with them and
will have none if we can help it, but at the
same time we are able to repel any force
they can bring against US, if they will,
eoantoniy and nadty, compel US to do So.
The question of peace or war with them,
is for them to determine. We intend to
crush ont treason everywhere, and if they
don't like it, why-we can't help it.


Respectfully, &c. JAS G. JONES
Year: 1861

As a remedy for this most distressing aud obsti-
nate malady, the VEGETABLE LIFE MEDI-
CIEES deserve distinct and emphatic recOmmen-
dation. 1t is well-knOwn to hundreds in this CITY,
that the former proprietor of these valuable med
cines was h msef afflicted with this complaint for
upwards of thirty five years, and that he tried in
vain every remedy prescribed within the whole
compass of the MGteria Medicd. Re, however, at
length tried the medicine which is now offered to
the public and he was cured in a very short time,
after his recovery had been pronounced not only
improbable, but absolutely impossible by any hu-
Tnpa
Year: 1861

CLoUDs.-We often live under q
cloud, and it is we'll for us that we
do so. Uninterrupted sunshine
would parch our hearts; we want
shade and rain to cool and refresh
them. Only it behoovc5 us to
take care that, whatever cloud
may be spread over us, it should
be a cloud Of witnesses. And ey-
cry cloud may be such, if we can
only see through to the sunshine
that broods behind it.-JamisoR.
Year: 1861

An individual Of much practical
experience, informs us that green
elder deposited in and about the
mows Of hay and grain will prove
an etfectual preventative against
the depredations of mice and rats.
We have long known that the
leaves of the common mullen will
drive rats from their haunts. There
is something in the odor of this
plant that is disgusting to the rats;
they cannot abite it.
Year: 1861

We will not issue any "extras "af-
ter date on our publication day, as we
hope to be enabled to lay before our
readers in the columns of the" News"
the latest intelligence received TO
do this we have deferred the puhlica-
ton Of our paper until after the arri-
val of the stage. Our subscribers
therefore, need not purchase any ex-
tras, after date. There is now no
necessity for extras, and we presume
our community will not be bored with
them any more. As it is such news
as we at present receive, is not worth
the space is occupies in paper, but
the appetites of the populace must be
appeascd. Should any dispatches be
received on Sunday or Monday morn
ing, which are really important mot
otherwise} we shall place them before
the public.
Year: 1861

As there will be plenty to see and
do to-day, in the way of amusement,
our citizens must not forget that at
night the benevolent ladies of our city
propose to end the performances of
the day, by an amusing and unique
exhibition at the Theatre. Hold on
to some Of Your change, friends, or it
ill be no go with you. for the sdmis-


n is cash on the spot.
Year: 1861

Those friendly to our undertaking, who
may hear of any local, other items, that
will prove of interest to our readers, will
favor us by handing in the same at the office


the News.
Year: 1861

1t is towards the close Of your speech, in the


midst Of your career through dynastes and nations,
over many generations and forms of society, that
you have seen fit to devote an entire paragraph to
me, private person, as if were of myself pow
er to be eassed with the princIpaties and dOmin-


ions amidst which you expatiate. 1t is upon this
paragraph that design TO make some observations:


and as well from sense of justice to you in or


der to make what have to say more perspicuous,
Tauote the whole of it:
Year: 1861

The following bit Of advice to farmers is
eminently sound, and we trust heed will BE-
given to it:


To FARMERS. High prices in time of war
is rule that never fails. Plant largely
1t will be wanted The tens of thousands
Of soldiers that will be needed have hereto
fore been producers, and will now be chang
ell into consumers, and they must be fed
Let not an acre of land be idle. You need
not fear that there will be surfeit. It is a
duty you owe to your country, and let it be
fulfilled. From the West must come the
means of sustenance for the armies that will
be needed, and he who adds to the products
OF the soil, as surely fultils patriots duty
as he who takes his lile in hand and goes
trth to battle.
Year: 1861

A story is told of Marblehead volun.'
teer which should not be lost. He was
driving load of hay when he saw the uni
forms and heard the drum Of one of the
companies of that patriotic town. "What
does this mean p he asked Of the first man
he overlook. The answer was that the
companies had been ordered to Boston, and
would 90 to defend the national capital
The thought and this action were simulta-
neous. He leapcd OFF the load, flung the
reins to the other and exclaimed, Here,
Joe, drive this lead to hell, if you like
am going to Boston," He joined the
company and came on without going home.
He was provided with uniform and equip:
,nents here. This sounds like old Put. Of
revolutionary memory.


While the recruits were forming, Tues
day, at Marblehead, one man, calling to
mind his deserted store, and the family he
was about to leave, for moment hesitatcd.
when his wife exclaimed, "lf you don't g"
I'll never live with YOU And another
woman, in the true spirit Of '76, said "Ilere
are my two sons, and am sorry l have
not more to CO.


A good story is told of one Of the Mar
blehead captains, in connection with his
being summoned in his country's CALL He
was engaged in slaughtering hog, when
he received the summons. Glanc.ns at the
paper and then at the hog, he seemed to
weigh at once the responsibility which rest
cd upon him, and with the fire of patriotism
burning in his eye, he, with his peculiar
Marblehead dialect, growled out, '.Dum the
hog ~ and forthwith took his departure
fro," the house. mustered his company.
and was among the first to arrive IN this city
Tuesday morning. 1t is needless to say
that the hog was somewhat astonished.


We can assure our Georgia friends that
such kind Of men do not deal in gasconade.
They never boast, but act.-Boston Atas
Year: 1861

The witty Men.


Those who at distance contemplate char
acters professionally eminent for invention,
wit and satir.cal humor, naturally suppose
their society must be universally sought and
they must, of necessity, be the life Of the
convivial board. Men, however, who sec
much, apd speculate little, know better
Among the dullest in company could be
pointed ort those very ones who are "won-
drous witty" by themselves; and this does
not arise from pride Of their own superior
faculty for invention or humor, or from an
unwillingness to please; but from a consti-
tutional shyness, or modest desire to avoid
notice and applause, or actually from con-
scious dulncss when they arc absent from
the study and the desk and without the PEN
Gil or pen.


Peter pindcr was witless, even over his
bottle, with his most intimate cronies. An
thony Pasquin was sour, and not Prone to
converse. Chirchill was sulky sot. But
Ter was nothing when he was not about half
drunk. Burton who had not less humor
than Carvantes, and the learning Of the
whole university, was neither a cheerful
companion nor cndurable to himself. We
might name hundred more, whose apti-
tude and promp:ness to discover the ridicu
lous side Of human action has astonished
the grave; and yet these men, who have
thus exposed folly to the laughter Of man.
kind, have been themselves the dullest dogs
alive.
Year: 1861

concerned, as they are now. Can any man
tell me of any one act Of aggression that
has been committed or attempted since the
last presidential election, that justiies this
disruption of the Federal Union?
Year: 1861

UNION REsoLUTIoNs.-Th following reso-
lutions were unanimously adopted at the
great Union meeting held in San Francisco
on the 22d:


l. That we do hereby declare our unalterable
attachment to the Federal Union of the United
States; that we regard its continuance and the
maintenance or our common government as
the primary object of patriotic DESIRE as the
main pillar in the edihce of our real indepen-
dence, the support of our tranquility at home,
and the guaranty of peace as well as of our ma
tiOnal and individual respectability and security
abroad.


2. That by the adoption of the Constitution
of the United States, government was created
and established of the whole people of the Uni
ted States; that the Constitution and laws made
in pursuance thereof, are the supreme law Of
the land that under the Constitution, and in
conformity with it, there exists no right or pow
er on the part of the government of a State of
the Union, to secede from, or in any manner
to obstruct the operation of the General Gov
ernment, under any circumstances whatever.


3. That the people of California, regarding
the preservation of the Union of all the States
composing our common country, and the emain-
tenance Of domestic peace, as objects of the
first political importance, will eheerfully acqui-
esce in any honorable plan for the adjustment
of existing differences, the security of the right
of all the States, and the establishment of Con-
sttutional order, where it has been disturbed
or wholly interrupted.


4. If, however, against our hopes and pray
ers, one or more States should secede from the
Union, effecting their final separation, the State
of California should and would nevertheless
cling to the Union with the States which adhere
and in that event, or in the happy event of re-
stored peace and amity, she will, in all good
faith and loyalty, recognize and discharge every
obligation enjoined upon her by the Constitu-
ton Of our common country; that California
entirely repudiates the project of a Pacific Re
public, as visionary, mischievons and impossi-
Bile; that wherever the Union and the Consti-
tuition are, there is the ark of our covenant
where the flag of our Union is unfurled, there
is our country.


5. That the true attitude of the people of Cal
ifornia at this time of trouble is that of frater-
nal kindness towards the people of all the States
and her honor and interest alike demand of her
to do all in her power to bring about harmony
and reunion among the people of the whole
country.
Year: 1861

MOUNT DIABLo Coal MINEs.-The coal
mines lately discovered near Mount Diablo
are exciting considerable interest in San
Francisco, the coal being Of such quality
as to induce capitalists to cndeavor to get
control of the mines. The Contra Costa
Gazette says that specimen has been
taken from the San Pablo ranch, Of excel
lent quality, resembling the genuine Cum
berland, but the lead has been prospecled
only q short distance. The Bay papers es'
innate that the discovery of these mines
will save SIS, 1000 a week to the manufacture
ing interest in that city, as the coal can be
delivered there at six dollars ton, while
the cost heretofore has been from eighteen
TO twenty three dollars ton.
Year: 1861

CRIME IN YuBA.-The Grand Jury Of Yu.
ba county, lately in session, say, in their
final report:


We have found sixteen indictments; one for
murder in the second degree; two for grand lar
ceny; two for petit larceny; one for misdemean-
or with deadly weapons; and ten for gaming.
Although crime appears to be too frequently
committed, there is an evident improvement
during the last year or two. Indictments are
not near so numerous as they were twelve OF
eighteen months since.
Year: 1861

CoNsIsTENoY.-Don Pablo dc 10 Guerra
gave as reason for leaving the Democrat
ic caucus, that he did not wish to act with
any party having Republican afinties.
This same Don owes his present position as
President of the Senate to fusion of the
Republican and Breckenridge Senators with
two or three Douglas Senators, showing
that be has no objection to forming a0inities
that will result in his advancement
Year: 1861

puDliSneS the fOi0Wlng communication


MOTHERS OF KENTUCKY Woe and sorrow
are now lowering over our beloved land. The
peace and security that dwelt around our fire.
sides have departed, and anxious thought is
pictured on every countenance. Why is this :?
A dissolution Of the Union is threatened, and
as an interdict from the Pope of Rome it car
ries desolation in its train. Can we not aid in
averting the ruin that is almost here? We
have access to a Throne of Power through
Christ our Mediator-access to One who can
turn the hearts of nation whatsoever He will;
ii whose hands are the destines of men, His
ear is not dull that He cannot hear, neither is
His arm short that He cannot save Theli
Mothers of Kentucky. let us on Christmas Eve,
in one united voice pray to Our Father in
Heaven to save our country.


A MOTHER
Year: 1861




forY" The boatswain's mate was astounded.
He could not speak for moment. As soon
as he recovered he roared out" To 60 on
deck to be sure that's what for!'' The idea
of man asking what for" particularly in
the navy and in crack frigate at that AL
though reused from a sound sleep could
not avoid laughing. y Our Boatswain
is one of the best of en-stout, spectacles,
cane. His part is to walk about in the day,
sleep in the night, and get "a thousand a
year, CATER Green" His mates execute his
orders or see them executed. During the
affair at Hatteras saw one Of the enemy's
shot strike alorgside and right in range Of
the Boatswain, that big gent of two hund-
red and fifty lbs. "Ha that was aimed at
me let me have. shot" said the Boatswain.
He had his shot ard felt relieved. The cap
tains of the guns fire them, though an officer
may do it occasionally..:or his amusement
1t is the duty of the officer of division to
tell what object to fire at, drop word of ad-
vice now and then, &c. We have one
boat manned by contrabands. They arc
called Pelicans from the name of their boat.
Every boat has its name. Here is the work
ing of it:


0ticer.-" Boatswain's mate, call away the
Pelicans" Cro go alongside ship or else
whers.)


Boatswain's mate pipes and then sings out
-" Away, you Pclicans, a-w-a-yr (Away
they 60 into the boat)


There are flying reports that we are to be
off again shortly and suppose we will go
as soon as we get feet enough. The Roa-
noke frigate, Cumberland sloop of war, and
few small craft are now here. We may
give "A trial. If so there will be no play
like that at Hatteras for the -- guns are
equal to ours and can bore us through and
through, j. G. they can drive the shot through
both sides Of the ship. BY the way, have
not told you how felt before they begun the
bombardment at Hatteras We did not doubt
that the enemy had as good guns as our own
since they could bring them from Norfolk
We knew nothing to the contrary for long
time after we had opened upon them. The
first day, after we beat to quarters, we did
not commence until the expiration of about
twenty minutes. During that time silence was
kept, except word now and then from the
officers. Ha,nmocks were placed along abaf,
the guns amidships with two beckets OF
handles in each end. These were for those
of the wounded who might not be able to
walk down to the sick bay, room on the
berth deck and forward of everything in the
bows of the ship. The twenty minutes 81
lence gave time enough for thought. My
feeling was of anxiety. AS to fear, had
nothing of the kind. was anxious to be al
work at them and have the job finished, and
l never felt better in my life than when we
got the order to give it to them. Thence
forth l was calm but mighty tired after We
ceased firing. * * l have spoken of the
injury the - will probably infict if we &C
there, but you must not think that l wish te
hang back or waver. No indeed If there
is any chance Of taking wish to 60 and
could not be hired not to 60. weighed all
this before entered the service. And if We
do engage - and get the worst of it, soon
than sec our colors come down would sec
the ship 60 to the bottom.