smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1863

,rAxEs-A TIMELY SUGGESTION Richmond
Rnig says that "the passion for high taxes has
become perfect rage. 1t is said that the people
are begging aud entreating their Representatives to
pile up the taxes mountain high-the higher the
better We do not know who these people are
We are quite certain they are not the people ,eho
hare to pay the tares."


The Whig is undoubtedly right. The people ex.
pect atax law, as necessity, and for the sake of
the great carse will cheerfuy submit to one of
more than ordinary stri6gency. But there is dan
GER Of overriding the thing and producing deep dis
satisfaction by requiring more than the people can
afford to pay. 1t is true that some are able to pay
enormously-those who are making enormously
but it is also true that very large portion Of the
people, including those in the army, are less able
to pay than ever. Yet, in general tax law the
property of soldiers athome must be taxed, though
possibly unprodsctiSe because of their absence.


We say to Congress, therefore, bewarel You
could not commit a'more unfortunate blunder than
to levy such tax as it is reported is nearly ma.
tured, stated variously at q hundred millions,
hundred and fifty millions, two hundred millions.
and even four hundred millions of dollaIst Such
taxes cannot be paid. The State and county taxes
in North Carolina for instance, will this year be
double what they ever were before. Yet they msy
not reach three millions. North Cardinals proper
ton of the tax will be about one tenth say from
ten to forty millions of dollars, according to the es
Inmates IF the whole 1t is sufficient to STATE this
to satisfy all that it will be impossible to collect
such taxes.--Fsy. OJsofssr.
Year: 1863

Ten thousand men frem Richmond and as MANY
from Vicksburg, could be spared and brought to
Tullahorna 10 two weeks. With $4,000 more men
Bragg could hurl an avalanche against Rosencranz
that would finish completely and forever that Gene
raj and his army. If by such a course We could an
initiate the best army the Yankees boast and ruin
the best General they have in the field, and at one
and the same time possess the grain producing coun-
try of Middle Tennessee and its capital iiberate our
friends from the thraldon thatoppresses them feed
and clohe our soldiers, increase our army with for
ty thousand conscripts, and demand peace of the
enemy across the Ohio river-is it not worthy the
effort, brother readerP We will not put the query
to the War Department They dread q suggestion
from their friends as much as the bayonea Of their
enemies Caastanooaa Rebel.
Year: 1863

Owing to the scarcity Of paper, we are compelled
to issue half sheet to our Semi Weekly readers
This half Sheet however, viii be found to contain
nearly or quite as much new matter as the whole
Sheet as the greater part Of the latter has been
cupied with old matter, designed mainly, as the
printers say, to "ill up"


We shall continue to send full sheet to our
Weekly readers as heretofore
Year: 1863

Judge Butler, when in the company Of young
gentleman of sixteen, cautioned him against being
led astray by the example persuasion Of others,
and said "If I had listened to the advice of some
of those who called themselves my friends when
was young instead OF being Judge of the Kings
Bench, I should have died long ago prisoner in
the Kings Bench" =
Year: 1863

The House of Representatives at Richmond is still
engaged on the tax and currency bill. We are un-
able to give any of s provisions it has been con.
sidered for the most part in secret session.
Year: 1863

teen to twenty gentlemen of this city have each
subscribed 900 to fund to be used in purchas-
ing corn, to be ground into meal and supplied to
the city and county authoritesto distribute to the
poor and the needy families Of soldiers in this city
and county. The corn is to be purchased in the
cheapest market. brought here, ground, and turned
over to the persons charged with properly dis,bu-
ting the funds appropriated by the Legislature,
the county and city, for the maintenance of those
who are needy-requirins only to have :her money
returned to them without interest or profit-AL
@anta Contsderacy.


The aoove example is worthy of imitation. We
trust it will be followed generally in this State and
that our planters and farmers who have surplus of
corn and meat will unite in the movement.
Year: 1863

IMPORTANT TO ScHool DIRECTORS
The attention of school directors is invited
to the following law passed last winter, in
relation to their duties:


"That it shall be the duty Of the board
Of directors in each school district to pub
lish an annual statement of the amount
due from collectors, and setting forth all
the financial operations Of the district 10
not less than ten written or printed hand
bills to be put up in the most public
places in the district"
Year: 1863

PURE. AIR.-We know of nothing so
sensitive to bad odors as cream. 1t will
absorb the gases given off by any fer
menting or decaying substance with great
rapidity. Every good. dairyman knows
how essential is the most Scrupulous
cleanliness to success. But it is not
enough to keep the vessels clean and
sweet. The air must be pure. Stagnant
water outside, or any decaying matter,
will to certainty taint the cream and
spoil the butter.
Year: 1863

IL Much confusion is created In army
correspondence By the use Of the terms, right
and left banks Of river. Scientific writer's
use the terms in reference to the position of 4
person descending the river. A correspondent
Says this technical sense Of the term is now
well settled among geographical societies and
scientific travelerB' This has been found the
only wny to give It any definite meaning.
Rivers turn and wind so that nothing definite
can be made of cast, west, north, and sonth
banks. Travellers 20 up stream and down
stream, and back again SO irregulary,. that
none can know which bank is on their right
hand or left at any particular time, unless
they tell u.s. every time they use the word,
which way they are going.
Year: 1863

The devil came up TO the earth one day,
And into the court house wended his way,
j nst as the attorney with very grave face,
Was proceeding TO argue the points in the case
Now, lawyer his majesty never bad seen,
Nor to his dominions none ever had been,


And he felt very anxious the reason to know
Why none had been sent to the region below.
Twas the fault of his agents his majesty thought,
That none Of those lawyers had ever been caught,
And for bis own pleasure he fetl desire ~ - -
To come TO the earth aud the reason inquire.
Well this lawyer who rose with vissage so grave,
Made out his opponent q consummate knave,
And the devil was really greatly amused


To hear the attorney 30 soundly abused. SAC
But soon as the speaker had come to close, ~ y
The coansel opposing then fercely arose


And heaped such abuse on the head of the first,
AS made him villain--of all men the worst.
Thus they quarreled, contended and argued so long
> Twas hard to determine which of them was wrong
And concluding he heard dnite enough of the fuss,
Old Nick turned awsy, and soliloquized thus: - ~
" If all they have said of each other be true,f
The devil has surely been robbed Of his due
But / am satisfid now that it's all very well.
For these lawyers would ruin the morals of hell (!
They've puzzled the court with their villainous


r ~ -, cavil


And I'm free to confess they've puzzled the devil
My agents are rigt to let lawyers alone
If had them they'd swindle me out ofmy throneP
Year: 1863

TIE War Department has at last hit upon
the only practicable plan for securing per-
feet enrolment Of all the able bodied men
liable to the draft The names OF those
already enrolled are to be printed in alpha
betical order. and the lists are to be left in
places where they can be inspected by the
public and corrected. II will, Of courae, be
the interest Of every one already enrolled
to add to the list all who are legally La
BILE. This airing of the lists will purge
them of all the bogu. and non liable names.
All who are not liable on account of di's
bility, alienags or non residence, are to re
port to the board previous to 10th of next
December. Under this arrangement the
next draft will, in all probability, bring
either the men or the money and will not be
such q farce as was the last attempted con
scription. In view Of the certainty OF the
operation Of the next draft it will De well
to hurry on the volunteering, 50 as to es-
cape its burdens.
Year: 1863

enemy ar threatening active operations be;
fore the winter has blockaded the roads.


Strange movements are taking place
within the enemy's lines, of which, as the
saying is, we can neither make head or tail.
In Lookout Valley they are undoubtedly
intrenching, and probably within ten days
We shall have the benefit of fire from that
direction. Troops are marching back and
forward-some In the direction of Bridge
port, others towards Browns Ferry and
Racoon Mountain. Camps are being estab-
lished here and there, and various indica-
tions are apparent which plainly say either
that an offensive demonstration Of the. enc,
my is at hand, or that they are peepariug for
permanent occupation of the position
they hold. .-.--s -.


Speculation under the circumstances is
"cold victualsn to the truth. The lateness
of the season assures us that whatever the
enemy attempts must be done quickly, for
winter is bar which no strategy can set
aside, or no science remove. When or how
the blow may fall is Of no consequence to
the army. Every man is anxious for a
change, and any movement which will
open the probabilities Of a general battle
would be hailed with pleasure. The spirit
of the troops is at fighting heat, and gen,
erals and privates court the opportunity
that shall allow It's efervescence to take
place in an open field. ----


am no clairvoyant, but nevertheless,
venture the assertion that there is at this
moment revolving in the mental planetary
Of General Bragg some grand scheme that
looks to glorious results. He has allowed
the federals to take peacsable possession OF
Lookout valley, to extend their lines from
Bridgeport to Chattanooga, to establish as
it were two bases of operation, and to tx
themselves for the winter Now it is not
to be presumed that all this concession, il
such it really be, is without its purpose -
For one, have faith to believe that some
great plan is slowly maturing, which, when
it eliminates, will result in the greatest and
grandest glory of the Western fields oI
campaign.


The next battle that occurs between
these two armies will undoubtedly be more
decisive than any other ever fought on this
continent. If we fail, it will prolong our
struggle. If we succeed, and no one who
has been through the ranks Of this army
can doubt that we shall, the war will doubt
less be brought to speedy close The
backbone Of Yankee strength-the last
'coil of the anaconda'-is in our front II
we but break its power we may 60 on "cOn
quering and to conquer" The prospect is
all bright Our army needs only the strong
hearty, selfs, crifcing, patriotic co-opera
ton of the people-tbat every man who
can do soldiers duty shall promptly re-
pair hither, and that those at home whose
influence or prayers can assist our cause
shall labor diligently to that end
Year: 1863

Twas night Christian lady slept,
And dreamed dream of heaven;
She thought within its pearIy gates
To her was entrance given.
She stood upon the Sea of Glass,


Amid the white-robed throng
She walked the golden streets, and sang
The everlasting song.
The conquering palm was in her hand,
She tasted bliss untold
And on her radiant head she wore


A crown of shining gold.
0! cline of glory, no regret,


May ever mar thy rest -
Yet sighed the sleeper as she dreamed
She was not wholly blest. ....
She marked the flashing diadem


Ger many princely brow,
Resplendent with the diamond blaze
And the rich ruby's glow. & =
Ger turquoise fair, and princely pearl;
The emerald glory streamed;
But in her heavenly crown, alas


No radiant jewel beamed.
Q that to grace her coronet


One gem she yet might win .........
Q could she bat return to earth,


And save one soul from sin.
For well she knew what jewels gave
These crowns so rich a blaze
They were the souls of sinners shown
The error of their ways.
She woke, and 10 twas but dream;
But, in the Book Divine,
She read who in the courts of bliss


Shall first in glory shine: -
That they who unto righteousness
Do many sinners turn,
Like stars in heavens armament


For ever more shall burn.
Year: 1863

from his pocket letter which he thrust
fercely into my hand, saying as he did so ::


There is the undeniable proof, let US
have no works about it Leave my house
and never enter it again as long as you
live. or l viii have you pitched headfore-
most into the street"


Mechanically l took the letter, the
hand writing of which [ Immediately
recognized as my own, and ran my eye
hurriedly over the contents. Good heav-
en-! 1t was the note had written to
Bob Tracy, and by mistake enclosed in
in the envelope addressed to Mr.. May
burn, and uice versa,


As the reader is doubtless anxious to
know what the letter could possibly con-
tain to so completely turn the tide of af,
fairs pertaining to my matrimonial pros
poets, | will give it oerbttjnt


'JoLLY CHUM Il sit down to scrawl you g
word or two in reference to the superb animal
over which you hold legal sway, and of whom
as you are aware, have desired to be in pos
session, knowing her to be gay creature,
full of life aud spirit, and withal, decidedly
fast. feel that without her l cannot longer
be satisfied, and from nothing l assure YOU,
will derive so much pleasure as from trot-
ting her around, and exhibiting her to my
friends. Feeling certain hat my offer proves
acceptable, will call on 20 in short time,
until which l do not wisu you to dispose of
her. Yours considerably,


EDWIN WHLETT.,;


After reading it, stood far a moment
as if in trance at length | raised my
eyes from the letter, gave glance at Mr..
Mayburn, and crushing the offending
sheet in my hand, rushed, scarcely know
ing what I did, with a sort of frantic
despair through the hall, and without a
word left the house, never again to darken
It's doors.


A few days afterwards I called upon
Bob Tracy to say to him that he need not
reserve the mare any longer, as | had
concluded not TO purchase, but as soon as
he caught sight of me he ran out to meet
me and shook NE by the hand and other
wise INDUCED in the most extravagant
demonstrations of JOY, thanking me over
and over again, for having received from
me most beautifully written gilt-edged
note, asking in marriage a daughter, Of
whose existence he was most profoundly
ignorant he had no doubt that l had
gone stark mad, and had just about made
up his mind to insert an advertisement IL
the papers warning the public to beware
Of me as person dangerous to be a
large. | now gave up; | found | wa'
besieged on all sides, aud with an imp plor
ing look | begged him to say no more
about it to any one, that [ had banisheC
all thoughts oil marriage from my mind
and had concluded to spend nay future
life in single bIessedness, but despite the
charge | gave Bob TO keep quiet, the
affair, through some mysterious agency
became circulated around, or, depend
upon 1t, never would have given it pub
licity and now having put you in pos
session of the "tWo letters" | will make
polite bow and retire to my bachelor
couch.
Year: 1863

Little Charley came to the table very
hungry, and he had his fork in a potato,
and the potato transferred to his plate
before be thought Of the usual blessing.
Looking up to his father he said, "Pa,
YOU talk to Heaven while [ maShes nv
potato" His hunger made him wish to
improve every moment
Year: 1863

Nearly two years had elapsed since the
date of my engagement with Carrie May
burn during that time | bad made many
visits to c., and always found her
the unchanged being that she was when
first presented to the reader, unless 1t was
that she seemed, at least to my eyes, if
sible more beautiful than ever We had
kept up regular correspondence her let
ters always breathed a spirit Of love and
affection, coupled with the hope that the
time would soon come when we would be
united to separate no more in life; mine,
as may be imagined, always re-echoed the
same sentiments embodied in hers As
tie reader has already been apprised, it
was the desire of Mr.. Mayburn that |
should rise to some eminence in my pro-
fess1on before claiming the fulillment of
his daughters promise.


This had erdeavored to the utmost
of my capacity to do, and had reason to
believe that bad in great measure sue
ceeded, for by the expiration of the time
above mentioned, | was able to cougrat,
ulate myself upon having the patronage
of the most influential citizens of the place
who had the most implicit confidence in
my professional abilities consequently |
now felt justified in once more making
application for the hand of the fair Car
rie, and as I was SO situated at the time
came TO the conclusion that IL would be
Year: 1863

overlooks a broad and beautiful valley, some
eighty or a hundred feet below, with Portland
on one side and Westbrook and Scarborough
on the other The waters OF the harbor. after
passing through three bridges. make far up
into the valley. forming beautiful basin or
sheet of water, on whose CLASSY surface is re-
fected the imagery of the beautiful trees and
shrubbery that skirt its banks. From this ba-
sin several creeks make their way far up into
the land amid the empowering shadows of lux
uriant groves, whose rich green foliage over
hanging the shady banks OF these limpid
streams, gives to the landscape the appearance
OF some enchanted bower or fairy land.


This is no exaggerated sketch. | wish to
state things trulhfully as they are. But can
say truly my eyes never rested on loveler
landscape than that which is presented to the
view from the Western promenade in Port
land. The south cad of this promenade com
mands a view of the town of Cape Elizabeth
aud a part of the harbor, with the three
bridges and portions of the towns of Scarbor-
ough and Westbrook. At the end of Naughan's
bridge on the Scarborough side, are the kcro-
sene oil works, Il little TO the west OF which is
the late encampment of the seventh Maine
regiment, while In the distance beyond, di-
recty across the valley, is the State Reform
School. A little farther up, crossing the val
ley, may be seen the tow path of the Cnmber-
land canal, and little further up beautiful
suburban village between the city and West
brook.


From the northern end OF the promenade
you get fine view of the distant country aud
the most of Westbrook In the foreground
are to be seen many fine farms and handsome
dwellings. In the background ranges of
mountains rear their tall summit~ far above
the intervening forest crowned hills. Con-
spicuous among these are the white mountain.
which may be seen distinctly in clear day


Altogether this is magnificent prospect
and any person visiting Portland in the sum
mer should not fail to visit the Western prom
enade.
Year: 1863

-FRAcrIoNAL CURRENCY amount of pos
tai currency now in circulation exceeds eighteen
millions of dollars. The issue of the new fraction
al currency by the Treasury Department to take
its place, will begin next month.
Year: 1863

From our correspondent at Davenport, We
learn that the enrolment of persons subject
to do military duty in the Second Congress
sional District of this State is complete. We
present the number of men enrolled of the
first class, in the several sub-districts, as
furnished
Year: 1863

the Boards Of Enrolment do not travel from
county to county there, he cannot expect
them to here.


On the whole, we regard it as most un-
fortunate thing, that the ex-candidate for
Congress was not appointed Provost Marshal
General-very unfortunate. That he was
not, he now proposes to retaliate, by lying so
outrageously as to stir up bitter hostility
to the enforcement of the draft. If his
paper Of the 2Sd is not calculated to madden
the ignorant and infame their passions
against pretended and alleged fraud and in
justice toward them, we know of nothing that
will. If resistance is made to the draft in this
county, we predict it will be by the readers
and believers in the Courier. If he sue
ceeds in his present efforts to resist the exc
cution Of the laws, woe be to him, for he will
be among the first to fall. Ifmobs come, the
tool that made them will be first broken
in the conflict. Finally, if Mr.. Thayer would
create an armed opposition to the draft. let
him continue to publish the sentiments pub



lished on the 23d, and we predict it will
come. .r ..--


We ought to add here, that every mans
name is written upon white card, placed in
an envelope and sealed, having been first
carefully compared with the returns of the
enrolling officers. When the draft is made
these cards will be placed in revolving box,
counted as they are put in, the box turned
and some person blind-folded, placing his
hand in the opening Of the box, draws one
at time, the name upon which will be an
by the Commissioner. From the
the character of the Board and the rules pre-
scribed for its Government, no citizen need
apprehend any injustice.
Year: 1863

again. Those are our boys; there's no
m;staking that noise. That's


He was interrupted by sudden cossa-
ton Of cheering, and the heavy boom Of
cannon so near the house that the win
doTs ratified and the glass danced upon
the table. The noise was repeated, and
followed by a heavy yolley from infan-
I try.


What the duce is that?' he exclaimed,
starting up in great agitation. Our boys
have no heavy cannon.


L know It remarked his captor with
serenity, but our colonel thought them
such handy things to have around, that
he posted two pieces and few men last
might in the brush where the road forks,
and I rather guess they have given Ash
by particular fits.


The lieutenant dropped into his seat
and made a faint attempt to swallow some
mere corn bread, but 1t was Of no use.
Slowly he laid away his knife and fork
and rose from the table with the air Of a
man who had rather more than was good
for mm.


Take US, sergeant, said lie resigned
by


And he did take them, men, women,
horses, darkies and all


Their fate was the usual one. The
eOntrabands skedaddled; the horses went
to the Post Quartermastcr Chat is, some
Of them did the rest were somehow lost,
though envieus people said the line off :
GERS of the 298th all got new horses
about that timeJ; and the men were ga
rolled.


The ladies of course took the oath Of
allegiance and were discharged; for our
great Republic does not war on lovely
women.
Year: 1863

THAT was beautiful idea expressed
by a Christian lady on her death bed, in
reply to a remark of her brother, who
was taking leave Of her to return to his
distant residence, that he should proba-
bly, never meet her in the land Of the
living. Brother, I trust we shall meet
in the land Of the living-we are now in
the land oftbc dying.
Year: 1863

WHAT is the use Of trimming a lamp
Ifyounever intend to light it
WhatEis the use Of graphing wrong
If you never intend to fight It
What is the use cf removing your hat
IF you do not intend to tarry
What is the use Of wooiug a maid
If you never intend TO marryS
What is tiIe use Of buying a coat


Ifyou never intend to wear it?
What is the use Of a hou.e fortwo
Ifyou never intend to share il?
What is the use Of gashering gold
Ifyou never intend TO keep it !?
What is the use Of planting field
Ifyou never intend TO reapi it?
What is the Use Of buying book
Ifyou never intend to read il?
What is the use of a cradle to rock
Ifyou never intend to need it?