smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869




What We Think a Good Suggestion.


1t is given out that General George H.
Thomas, the new commander OF the Military
Division of the Pacific, including all the
Pacific States and Territories, has resolved
upon scientific exploration of the southeast
ern section Of the State of Nevada, an exten-
sive district in the heart of Fremont's Great
Basin still unexplored and unknown. We
have no doubt that General Thomas came to
this resolution from what he learned on his
late journey to San Francisco via the Pacific
Railroad of the wonderful White Pine silver
mines and of their accidental discovery on the
border of this unknown region, and that the
idea readily occurred to him of the thorough
exploration suggested. We say readily Oc-
Cured, because we are informed by distin-
guished Union officer in the late war that Gen.
eral Thomas is not only model soldier, but
one of the finest scholars in the government
service, possessing, among other things, rare
knowledge of geology. Our informant says
that Gin making once, with General Thomas,
the ascent of Lookout Mountain l forgot the
man of war in the man of science" To such
a man, Sin these piping times of peace" the
command of the Military Division of the
Pacific affords fine field for scientific explora-
tions; and we dare say that his projected re-
connoissance of Southeastern Nevada and the
contiguous Territories will be in its discoveries
of great value to the government and all con-
cerned.


We hope that General Thomas however, as
it is not yet too late, will provide for some
scientific explorations during the present sum-
mer of that enormous and mysterious white
elephant of ours called Alaska. He ought to
send up special steamer, with company Of
savans, along with Mr.. Seward and the steamer,
without loss of time, should push forward to
the mouth OF that great Arctic river the
Yukon. From the report of the British ex-
plorer Captain Whymper we think it proba-
BILE that a steamer entering the mouth of that
stream as late even as the middle or the last
of July might ascend it thousand or fifteen
hundred miles, or more, if there be no falls
or rapids in the way, and get back again be-
fore the locking up of the river. From Whym-
per's description and illustrations it would ap-
pear that the Yukon carries down to the sea
a larger volume of water than the st. Law
renee or the Mississippi, and all that we know
of it is from this British traveller. We think
that steamboat trip, then, up the Yukon
is due to Mr.. Seward, because the river
and the unknown land it waters are his
purchase; and as he may never again have
the opportunity to inspect this large farm and
its grand water course General Thomas ought
to send him up with corps of savans, and as
far up as they can go in order to return before
the first Alaskan frost. We respectfully sub
nit this suggestion to the consideration o
General Thomas and the administration, and
we hope it will be adopted.
Year: 1869

American citizens have taken and will take
part therein, animated by the holiest feelings
of human nature and justified by their natu-
raj rights. The government which is strug-
Cling to perpetuate its despotism proclaims Its
foes to be pirates and robbers, and not entitled
to the usages of war. Our own government
has failed in its duty to place itself on record
in such way as shall lend its moral influence
to the cause of humanity and human progress.
1t has gone even further than this, and has
recently displayed secret partisanship for
the Power which has been rejected, and the
members of the Cabinet exhibit self-accusing
spirit by laying the onus of the act upon tn o
inferior member of the Council Every think
ing person in the country rejects with laugh
of scorn the statement that Mr.. Hoar alone
is responsible for the acts which have COM
mitted the government to an obnoxious policy,
and none, however poor in intellect, will be-
lieve that the Attorney General took the lib
erty of committing the government in these
great questions without advice and without
direction from the whole body


The whole government from President
Grant down to Mr.. Hoar, is responsible for
the acts which mark its policy and prove its
partsanship. If Mr.. Fish has consented to
this course willingly he has exhibited want
of sympathy with American feeling and with
the march of American ideas which disquali-
fies him for the high place he holds. If he en-
tertains sympathies for the Cubans in their
efforts to establish their own freedom, to
sweep slavery from their land and to partici-
pate in the political happiness which we en-
joy, he should show it in some other way than
by whisperings through the pen of news
paper correspondent. Such breathings are
not sufficient to counteract acts in which
the hand of the government is plainly
visible. 1t will not be an act of war to
perform our duty to human nature by recog-
nizing the belligerent rights of the republicans
of Cuba, and to intimate to our fond ally Spain
that we expect her to carry on war as a
civilized government and not as an enemy to
the human race, especially as we are supplying
her with guns, powder and ships wherewlth
to make the war. AS for national policy, it
is plain that the weak and cold administration
of Grant and Fish are not equal to the task
of devising one. We look to the American
people to take care of that, intimating to the
administration that they will do well not to
place themselves, in their timorous apprecia-
ton of European complications, in an attitude
Of hostility to the national policy the people
shall lay down.
Year: 1869

IMPORTANT Custom HOUSE DISCLOSURES.
A telegram from Cincinnati announced yes
terday that the government, having found that
the quantity Of sugar and coffee smuggled
into the country through the port d New Or
leans is larger than was at first supposed, end
that II has been sent oil over the West and
Northwest, the revenue officers are now there
looking after the goods, making seizures and
compelling holders TO prove that duties have
Year: 1869

The Asiatic Exodus to the United States.


Still they come. Already on the Pacific
slope there are some one hundred thous and
Cinnamon. On Thursday last twelve thousand
Cinnamon arrived at San Francisco in sailing
vessels Silver is being found in large guam
titles in the White Pine district. Chinese
labor will, in consequence, be more in demand
than ever. 1t is not too much to say that in
ten years we shall have several millions of
Chinese on the Pacific slope. They are
hardy, Industrious, thrifty people, and, spite of
their religious and social customs, they will
help largely to develop the resources of those
immense regions which lie west of the Rocky
Mountains. The vast immigration of Chinese
into this country is pregnant with important
results. 1t cannot fail to tell in the long run
nightly for good or evil on our destiny. The
tide of immigration has changed its course


From Asia, the cradle of the race, it has in all
the past moved westward. Now, for the first
time in history, it is taking an eastern direc-
ton. The thousands from China will soon be-
come millions. Japan will initiate the exam
pie of her neighbor. 1t will not be otherwise
with India. Unless we greatly mistake, this
exodus from Asia brings with it the settlement
of the negro question. If it settles some ques-


tions it will doubtless also give birth to others.
Year: 1869

FROM THE FAR EAsT.-By the steamship
Great Republic, at San Francisco, we have
late news from China and Japan, as well as
very solid and substantial evidence of the
daily advance Of our national and commercial
interests in the East The Great Republic
landed valuable cargo, made up for the most
part Of tea and elk, besides huge amount Of
industrial wealth In the active little bodies of
twelve hundred and ifty Cinnamon. The news
is commonplace-outrages on foreigners in
Japan, diplomatic complaints, movements of
the Mikado's feet, with Sir Henry Parkes and
the ram stonewall again. China was trading,
rather quiet and apparently reapsing slightly
towards the national doze. Both countries
would be benefited by little foreign civiiza-
ton, If not too much after the English plan.
Year: 1869

Biliousness, Indigestion, General Debility, and
all the complaints which proceed from a want of
proper action in the liver, the stomach and the
bowels, are eradicated by q course of this great
Year: 1869

The Countess ida, daughter of the Palatinc
Godfrey, gave her hand to Count Eberstein,
who died a year after their marriage. Nu>
merous rivals then disputed the hand of the
young widow. who Joined to the happiest OF
natures the brilliant advantages of wealth and
station. From the number of her most illus
trous suitors, IDA chose the brother of the
Duke of Bavaria. 1t was proud alliance
but not happy one. After passing the best
of her life in the bitterest domestic trials, the
Countess IDA became widow for the second
and last time. as the idea of another marriage,
was extremely repugnant to her mind. Already
bowed by the weight Of age, the Countess
thought only Of another and happier world;
devoted wholly 'td' the practice of sincere de-
votion she was ouly anxious, to secure the
repose of her soul and gain eternal happiness
hereafter. To attain this object the noble
lady conceived the idea Of enjoying part of
her wealth in founding monastery. Asshe
hesitated where to build it she resolved to
leave the decision to the will Of Heaven. and,
the means she adopted to learn the Divine
pleasure. An ass was loaded with large
sack filled with pieces of gold, to the amount
which she intended to devote to this pious
purpose. '.The convent shall be erected on
the spot where the gold first touches the
ground. whether the ass lies down, or gets rid
of his burden by throwing it off" Such was
the order given by the Countess Uda; and
Immediately the ass, gaily caparisoned, was
sent on its mission, followed by chaplain
and two grooms, who watched its movements.
On leaving the castle it struck across the val
ley. and in two hours arrived at Schoolberg
There, being thirsty. it struck the ground
with it's foot and spring of water gushing
forth the ass drank and went onward. Having
reached the summit of the mountain, the
animal seemed to think it bad carried its load
far enough, and by dint of kicking and Plpng-
ing, it broke the cords by which it was attach
ed. and the sack, thus violently thrown off
rolled from the top of the mountain into the
valley where it burst. A little chapel orna-
mented with a commemorative inscription, was
erected on the spot where the spring had
gushed forth and monastery was built at
the place where the pieces of gold were
scattered upon the turf.
Year: 1869

A TERRIBLE LEAP-On Thursday last
aninsane man named Pierce. who had for some
time previously suffered under strong re-
ligious excitement was seen to walk out on
the Suspension bridge at Cincinnati, aud
when he got to the middle to take of bis coa.
aud hat. A young man who saE him.thought
he was workman, who was about TO mako
some repairs, SO cool and quiet were his ao-
tions. AS soon as he had laid aside his coat
he passed outside the railing aud Immediately
junped into the river, which was running
eiyty five feet below him. Strange to say the
fall did not injure him, and he began imme-
diately to call for help. and at the same time
to put'out stoutly for the shore. But the cur
rent bore him steadily down the river, and he
would undoubtedly have been drowned had
it not been that some men were ont in a skif
and rescued him.
Year: 1869

Men seldom think of the great event of
death until the shadow falls across their owp
path, hiding forever from their eyes the traces
of the loved ones whose loving smiles were
the sunlight of their existence. Death is the
great antagonist of lite. and the oVld thought
Of the tomb is the skeleton Of all ieasts. We
do not want to 90 through the dark valley,
although its passage luaS lead TO paradise
aud, with Charles Limb, we do not want TO
lie down in the muddy grave. even with kings
aud princes for our bed fellows. But the fat
of nature is inexorable. There is no appeal
dust. We flourish and we fade as the leaves
Of tue forest; the flower that blooms in win
ter's day has not a frazier hold upon life than
the mightiest monarch that ever shook the
earth with his footsteps. Generations of men
appear and vanish as the grass, and the count
less multitude that throngs the world to-day
will to morrow disappear as the footsteps on
the shore.


In the beautiful drama of Ion, the instinct
of immortality, SO eloquently uttered by tn e
death devoted Greek, finds deep response
in every thoughtful soul When about to
yield his young existence as a sacrifice TO fate,
his beloved Clemanthe asks if they shall not
meet again, to which he replies: II have
asked that dreadful question of the hills that
look eternal-of the clear streams that How
foreyer-of the stars. among whose fields OF
azure my raised spirit hath walked in glory.
All were dumb But while gaze upon thy
living face, feel that there is something IN
the love that mautles through its beauty that
can not perish, We shall meet again, Gle
mantle /"
Year: 1869

How bright and beautiful is love in its
hour of purity and innocence-how mysts-
riously it etherealizes every feeling, and con-
oeutrates every wild and bewildering impulse
of the heart Love; holy and mysterious
love. Its the garland spring of life-the
poetry of nature. Its songs are heard in the
rude hut of the poor as we'll as the gorgeous
palaces Of the rich. It's flames embellish the
solitude of the forest. and the thronged
haunts of busy life, and its life imparts brill
liuncy to every heart, no matter what may be
its condition.


Love-pure, holy and devoted love-can
never change. Friends may f"rsake us, the
riches of this world may soar away. hut the
heart that loves will cling the closer as loud
ruars the storm, and amid the wreck of the
tempest. it will serve as beacon to light US
on TO love and happiness


Love is the mystic and unseen spell that
snothes the wild and rugged tendencies Of
human nature, that fingers about the sanctity
of the freside aud unites in closer union the
affections of society, and the soul tha, loves
truly will love forever. Not like the waves
of the ocean nor traced in the sand. is the
image impressed upon a loving heart. No. no /;
but it will remain unbroken and unmarked /;
it will burn on uudefaced in its lustre amid
the weary of the tempest clouds aud when
our fate seems dark and dreary. then will
love seek shelter in her own hallowed trouble,
and offer US as a sacrifice to her VOWS and her
affections.
Year: 1869

E. A. Baker, of Bonneville,
Indiana, publishes in the Country
Gentleman the following directions
for keeping sweet potatoes:


Two or three plans are practiced
in this community. One is to
build a small cellar, say twelve or
fifteen feet square, under the fam
lily room Of the house, only entered
by trap door through the floor
the cellar wall fitting up to the
floor Of the room snug, so that no
air can get through. The potatoes
are dug and allowed to dry, when
they are let down into the cellar
without bruising. Through the
winter the cellar is ventilated
once or twice o week by opening
the trap door for half an hour,
during which time the outside
doors Of the room above should
be kept closed. I have kept sweet
potatoes in this way till the mid
die Of April.


Another, and I think the best
plan, is to build a "house within a
house," filing the space between
the walls with clay. Two doors
are hung-one to the inner and
one to the outer wall. The space
above the joints is filed with clay
or saw dust. The potatoes are
dug and hauled to the house. The
floor, or rather the ground, is
covered with dry chaff. A layer
of potatoes is carefullMlaid on,
and another layer Of chat, and the
process continued until the pile is
about three feet high. A thick
layer Of chaff is then spread over
the top, and the process is COM
pleted. A box, two by six inches,
is placed in the wall, opposite the
door, for ventilation. This is kept
closed in cold weather, and only
opened in the middle of the day,
on warm days.


Will it pay? One of my neigh
bors, whose name. l might give if
necessary, planted two. acres of
sweet potatoes last year, and did
all the work Of cultivation himself,
and he is sixty years old. He has
two potato houses, built after the
plan given above: In the Spring he
sold out of the two houses and off
of the two acres FIVE hundred bush
els, at three dollars per bushel.
Other cultivators in this country
are doing as we'll, or perhaps bet
ter; but [ give this mans crop as
as ao example, because / know
the facts. >...~....f ..;
Year: 1869

4 Western farmer gives bis sxs
perience on this point as follows {:


Having fed boiled corn to q few
cattle last winter, l became con-,
vinced that it was profitable and
decided to try it thoroughly this
year. I am now feeding only
two bushels Of corn per day, to.
seventeen head of oxen and heavy
steers, and never saw cattle fatten
better in my life. +.
In addition TO this they have q
liberal supply of corn fodder and
if any farmer can name a cheaper
way to make beef, I should like
! to hear from him. -,.,


Perhaps the reader may, sup
pose that the process Of cooking
is tedious and expensive, but it il
not so. ~~-r =


I have a boiler five feet long;
two and a half wide, and one and
half deep; the sides of which
are made of poplar plank, and the
bottom of sheet copper. (iron is
much cheaper and just as good
which will hold six bushels of
corn.


This is set or O stone fur.
mace and when full Of corn Is
filed about two-thirds full of wa
ter, and covered to confine tho
steam. After heating the water
to boiling point, it is allowed to
cook about twenty minutes, when
it is taken out and thrown into
The tubs which have holes ia the
bottom to drain tho water back
into the boiler. ....<


By taking the corn out at one
end, there is soon room enough to-
roll the grain which is on the top
down into the not water, which
in addition to the steaming it has
already received cooks it suf-
aclently. .y- .- 5--.
/. In cold weather the corn must
be put into a bin in the cellar,
which is the hardest part of the
labor. A handful of salt should
be thrown in every time the
boiler is filed. One man viii
cook twenty-five bushels in half q:
day, and one cord of wood will
boil q hundred bushels. ls@--


The cob Of corn, in its dry
state, is about as digestible as 3
white oak chip, and the grain has.
just begun to soften after soaking
six hours in cold water; but after
boiling, the cob is easily chewed
and the grain erushes into cooked
meal under the teeth, so that the
process Of digestion commences at
once. I am convinced that cattle
will thrive better upon two bush
els of boiled corn, than upon three:
bushels in its natural state. g. =.
Year: 1869

and Garden thus discourses on


the Incorporate use Of Guano:
Mr.. EDITOR: / feel constrained
to caution you and your readers
against guano. Used as the ma
jority of our farmers use it, it is a
humbug-worse than that, it is a
crying evil. We do not wish any
longer to farm after the old sys-
tenn Of farming what land We own
to death, and then throwing it
aside as old field, for the purpose
Of clearing up a new-ground or
moving West. Our lands are sus-
ceptible Of high improvement, and
hereafter we must look to these
as bound to last US our lifetime,
and still be fit for our great-grand
children to cultivate.


Now, sir, the way our farmers
use guano is after the miserable,
old, exploded system of land-mur-
der. Put on without any other
manure, guano is a positive injury
to land, and will wear it out in
one-half the time that no manure
ut all would. 1t is a stimulus,
and nothing more. It adds moth
ing to the permanent ingredients
Of the soil; it forces the whole
strength Of the soil into action,
which activity will be followed by
years OF barrenness.


The soil certainly needs two
things beside elbow-grease pos
sibIy three. l: needs food and
rest-possibly stimulus. To use a
parable: We have hired q laborer,
and set him to work at early
dawn. He works till late at night
without any intermission, without
even food. The moon comes out,
and we say to him, "Work away,
my lad ; work away the night is
beautiful ano time is precious. -
All night he tolls ON, with neither
sleep nor food, and in the morning
the poor fellow is completely bro
ken down. But we come out af-
ter our own comfortable rest, and
say, Here, swallow this drink of
whiskey, and work On, my boy"
He drinks, becomes excited, and
works finely, till the influence of
the liquor leaves him, when he
finds that he is completely worn
out. So we treat our land. We
give no appropriate food of lime,
plaster, bone, &c. We give no
needed rest, and then, when the
strength of our land is almost
gone, we make it throw out its
little remaining force, under the
stimulating influence of guano.


Il admit that guano is an excel
lent thing to use when the land is
in a very highly manured condi-
ton but then, and only then: l
have tried guano, and have made
excellent turn, outs, but it always
leaves the ground comparatively
exhausted of its hpmus. 1t is not
however, against guano, but
against the Incorporate use OF it,
that I complain. Whiskey is not
food, neither is guano manure
there is something else needed be-
side the stimulus. Guano may be
used with great profit on rested
land by itself, but nowhere else,
unless composted with manures~


I give above the result of my
experience. 1t differs. / know,
from the ideas of some of your
readers. but l am right, and !
know it
Year: 1869

Buckwheat is the most peculiar OF the
grain family In the manner ofits rlpen.
ing-a considerable portion being In
the milk state when another will be
fully matured. The point is to cut II
10 that stage which will save the most,
and this Is when about half Of the grain
has turned brown. II the straw was
less sensitive to cold than It is, harvest.
ing might be delayed longer, but when
stricken by frost the growth Is entirely
arrested and the straw disposed to an
early decay, preventing any farther
maturing OF the grain. But, cut when
a portion Is In the milk and set up In
punches In The Geld, the juice OF the
straw, OF which 1t Is peculiarly rich,
will cause the immature portions to
ripen, and little will DO lost by over
ripeness or lack OF 1t. Tho common
grain cradle will be found tho best I'm.
plement Tor harvesting this grain, as A
leaves the straw In q condition to be
easily gathered In punches for setting
mp for drying.
Year: 1869

OF last. It seems Idle to peril life by
any further attempt 10 60 down Us long
as the gas ls 90 strong. No attempt
can OF course be made to reach the main
door or to penetrate the mine until the
outer gapEway Is cleared OF gas and 1t
Is uncertain how long this will take.
There 10 really no ground to hope that
q single life remains Of those who were
at work In the mine. Everybody gives
them up and nothing probably remains
to be done but 10 recover the bodies,
Year: 1869

A letter states that the damage In that
State TO the Cotton crop ls caused by
the excessive heat and the drought OF
the latter nalf OF August Is extended
and irreparable. The yield of the State
has been Hdiminished fully, one half
and In many places more than that.
The effect upon the fortunes OF the
planters is disastrous though 1t Is at
least probable that the higher price
consequent upon the abridged supply
will In a great degree compensate for
the apparent loss,
Year: 1869

An expedition is soon to depart
from Egypt for the purpose of explora-
ton and conquest in Central A frica.
It is to be under the command of Sir
Samuel Baker, whose travels and dis
coveries in that vast region have al
ready made him famous, and will be
composed of a powerful flotilla Of iron
river steamers and a body of the best
troops in the Viceroy's army. The
results of the proposed expedition will
certainly add much to the worlds
stock Of scientific and general knowl
edge of interior Africa. The eOmman-
der has been given the rank of Bey,
and engages to remain in the Vice
roy's service for four years, which will
afford ample time to complete the
work Of the expedition.