smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

| remember when Virginia and Kentucky,
and other border slave States, were on the
eve of emancipation. Everybody will tell
you this, and some will say that these States
would long since have emancipated their
slaves but for the meddling impertinence of
the abolitionists | have heard many good
people say this, who firmly and sincerely
believe in its truth; nevertheless it is not
the whole truth. The fact is, that a very
great rise took place in the price of cotton
about that time, and has been maintained
ever since, and this multiplied the value of
negroes three or four fold. 1t is a sad con-
fession to make, but it must be made. The
advance in the value of slaves, caused the
humane policy of emancipation to go down
to a discount-to be computed by applying
the rule of the inverse ratio. Such, alas
is the frailty of our nature, that all lien
will Justify what seems to be their own in
terest, and hence the change of sentiment
upon the subject of slavery at the South,
reversing all her maxims of policy, creeping
stealthily beneath the ermine of the judge,
and, by judicial mandate, robbing the
poor negro of his SOUL to justify the en-
slavement of his person.


Cotton is, indeed, King, if he can thus
drive another rivet in the chain which holds
five millions of bondmen. 1t may not be
an improbable inquiry, to consider whether
he is not equally powerful to loose as TO
bind. If the half million and more of free
negroes now in the United States should be
transplated to the tropics, and should en-
ploy themselves and the natives of the coun-
try under their guidance, in planting cotton
and sugar, it would make an immense diff
ference in the supply of these staples. They
could raise them more abundantly and
cheaply than can be done in the Southern
Year: 1859

IL is extraordinary how many persons,
unused TO the sick room, mistake certsin
noises for quiet. When such people have
to walk across the room they DO so With
balancing sort Of movement that makes
every plank creak ubesslIy. Their very
dress rattles in wav that would make
the fortune Of rattle snake. II any.
Year: 1859

MR. EDIToR-I send you plan of iail which think adapted to most of the counties in Arkansas

 Build neat, two story. brick or stone house, with three rooms in the upper story. One of these, for criminals should be, say, sixteen feet square, with two windows in front. The house should be placed on public street or square with the windows facing the most public place. There should be built, in the alls of the crim- lnaPs room, a frame of iron lattice work, of bars three inches wide by quarter of an inch thick, crossed and riveted so as to leave square openings of four inches only. This should be cube shaped so as to extend over the ceiling under the floor and on every side. This cage could be put together on the ground and after the first story of the building was put up, it could be hoisted to its place and the walls pro- ceeded with. In the bars at suitable intervals holes could be made so as to have two-inch plank securely spiked, so as to have wooden flooring and sides, and ceiling if it is deemed necessary. The windows should be secured by an outer cross bar frame we'll let into the brick in the manner of iron doors or windows 10 fire proof buildings. The inner cross bar could be a part of the iron cage or frame. There should be one door to this room with two shutters or, in other words, double doors of iron. The in- ner door should be of double sheet iron, well secured and hung to the lattice work and closed by pad lock on the outside so as to dispense with key-hole In the upper part of this door there should be small opening with a small door well fastened, through which to pass in food and water.

 Outside of this should be another door well secured and fastened and opening into an ante chamber. In the criminals room there should be pipe not over four inches in diameter to pass through the floor and extending down be- heath the building, 10 the mouth of which ac. cess could be had, so as to afford a means of cleanliness and consequently of health-a great desideratum. The other rooms in the upper story could be built aud secured so as to con- tine persons committed for minor offences.- The lower story should be arranged so as to PiofIdC oOu fcbicut lOOuS TUT tdUiiiN, dUu tue front of it might have shop suitable for a tailor, shoemaker, or other mechanic. Chm- neys can be built so as to run up outside of the building.

 In most of our county towns, the first thing that meets the travellers eye, is an ugly, un- couth, wooden jail, slate colored and often un- finished. Now I propose instead of this for each county where there is no sufficient ial, to build neat house that shall be an ornament to the town and where the sheriff, if it suits him, may reside. If the sheriff does not re- side in the building, he can rent it to mechanic who can reside in the lower story, carry on his trade and act as jailer.

 In some jais the inmates suffer from negli- gence. In most of our counties the jailer can. not afford to give his constant attention to the jail, or hire trustworthy person in his absence,
Year: 1859

G The Gazette of last week, not liking the comparison of himself to the figure in Donetti's show, tries to throw the joke off on somebody whom be terms "a know nothing who wanted to be a know nothing editor within the past year. but failing to get the tuation, piserncted and turned democratic scribbler of editorial s-utf, and toady to the Governor" These inuendoes, unless made more explicit do not admit of being answered. If there is such person, which we very much doubt, let the fT ystte name him.
Year: 1859

(Er The editor of the Gazette says we have attempted to be witty on the subject of his age, and tries to create the impression that Gov Conway is older than he is The editor of the Gazette says he is getting aongin years, which may be true, but it is certain that he has not yet irrived at "years of discretion
Year: 1859

no. An abolitoinist in Clayton, Ala, was
brought before 3 meeting Of the citizens,
whose sentence was to array him in tar and
feathers and then ride him on a rail around
the town. The resolution was carried into
effect, aud the Abolitionist was ordered 70
leave the State within ten days.
Year: 1859

WEATHER IN NORTHERN LouIsIANA.-The Caddo
Gazette of the lst inst. says:


The weather since our last has been very warm for
the season OF the year. We have had several heavy
rains during the week and appearances indicate that
we will have more before long.
Year: 1859

The WEATHER continues dry and dusty, warm in
the day time and cold at night Clouds mottled yes.
terday's sunshine considerably Rain is anxiously
looked for.


WEEKLY REPORT of the Free Dispensary OF the
New Orleans School Of Medicine, on Common street,
n
Year: 1859

IhE FUGITIVE SLAVE Law DEcLAR-
ED CoNsTiTUTIoNAL.-An important de-
eIsion was delivered on the 9Th inst. in
the dl United States Supreme Court by the
Chief Justice, in the case Of the United
States rs. Sherman II. Booth. the Su-
preme Court vs.. error to Supreme Court
OF Wisconsin. The case involved the
right of State courts to release on haJeas
corpus parties in custody under process Of
the United Statet for oieuses against the
laws of the United States. This was done
by the court below in the instance Of an
arrest uaecr judgment BY the district
court Of the United States for violation
Of the Fugitive Slave Law. The whole
conduct Of the court below was held to be
totally Illegal and virtually revolutionary ;
that the Marshal had a right. aud it was
his duty to resist by force any such inter
ference ON the part Of the State powers
and that the Fugitive Slave act was clear
ly constitutional
Year: 1859

1t was in the springtme of sc, just


as the king of day was lifting his sllvered


locks above the Eastern Clouds that a
joyous group had assembled in the town


of =, for the purpose of holding


sweet converse with kindred spirits
While cxhilerated with the pregnant air
Of spring, they would link with to-day


the recollections of past delights, and
grasp with anxious minds, and dwell with
ecstacy on happy anticipations, There
was no downcast looks, troubled hearts
or traces of disappointment stamped on
the brow of this little assembly. But on
the contrary, each and every soul break
ing it's fetters free as the arctic dove,
would rise triumphant through the seen
ted ether then for while playing with
the morning zephyr, would descend and
bask for time in the sunshine OF Flo
ra's virgin garden.


This was a beautiful morning, sugges-
tive of happiness, joy and peace. 1he
diamond sunbeams were just STOPPING to
kiss the honeyed dew-drops from the
blushing rose, when blue-eyed maiden,
Jealous of its wasting sweetness, pressed
it to her lips, that she might mingle her
breath with the dew of heaven. This
was a delectable spot for scenes of mirth-
full pleasure, and was considered as
rendezvous Of all pleasure seekers in town
and vicinity, where all dull cares were
dissipated as humid vapor before the ris-
ing Of an April sun. The cause of its
being so trequented was doubtless at
tributed to beautiful spring of crystal
water, which gushed in playful melody
from a hidden rock in the centre of their
circular summer house. All who entered
within its summer bowers were compell-
ed at once to acknowledge romantic feel
ing, when they would look for moment
at the beautiful festoon of roses which
nature with kind hands had interviewer
in the neatly finished lattice work.
While some were contemplating with al
most rapturous gaze the beautiful deco
rations within, others were looking as if
drawn by some mesmeric Influence, on
the lovely and grass-grown field, spotted
now and then with every variety of wild
flowers, which we're scattered by the
morning wind, and which whispered in
fragrant breaths, of JOY and love around
this seeming habitation of fairies. In
this little group there were some whose
dispositions allowed them to be more
cheerful than the rest, though there was
happy smile playing upon the counte'
nances of all. There was one present
Clarence Wayland, who bore upon his
lofty brow marks of belligerent char
acter, and was apparently of reckless
nature. He was in the meridian OF life,
and as yet claimed no profession, nor en-
gagged in any occupation. His was of
rowing disposition, and his past life had
been spent 10 wandering from place to
Year: 1859

Only Tight" How Hurried, how weak
he is What is the matter with him ~


"Only tight"


"Tight!" :"


"Only tight" Mans best and great
est gift, his intellect, degraded; the only
power that raises him fir m brute creation
trodden down under the foot of debas-
ing appetite.


a" Only tight" The mother stands with
pale face and tear dimmed eye to see her
only sons disgrace, and in her fancy pic
lures the bitter woe Of which this is the
fore shadowing.


"Only tight" The gentle sister whose
strongest love through life has been given
to her handsome and talented brother,
shrinks with contempt and disgust from
his embrace, and brushes away the hot i'm
pure kiss he prints npon her cheek.


"Only highland his young bride
stops in the glad dance she is making to
meet him, and checks the welcome on her
lips to gaze in terror on the reeling form
and flushed face of him who was the god



of her idolatry.


"Only Highland the fathers face
grows dark and sad as with bitter sigh
he stoops over the sleeping form Of his
firstborn.


He has brought sorrow to all these af-
fectionate hearts; be has opened the door
to fatal indulgence; he has brought him
self down to level with the brutes; he
has tasted, exciting the appetite to crave
the poisonous draught again; he has fall
en- from high and noble manhood, to bab-
bling idiocy, and heavy stupor; brought
grief to his mother, distrust to his sister,
almost despair to his bride, and bowed bis
fathers head with sorrow but blame him
not for he is" Only tight"
Year: 1859

70 A female writer, who is "down
on" paint and belladonna, and in favor
of polished minds and loving hearts, says
she "never sees woman of lively and
lovely animation, but | fall in love with
her myself, and only wish that ! were a
man that might marry her." This paint
ing is a vile misunderstanding those who
indulge in the practice but the counter
felt presentment' of themselves. We
had as lief have a counterfeit twenty
dollar gold piece in onr pocket as paint
ed woman hanging upon our arm. Here
is what an old Greek poet says on the
subject of artificial beauty:


"Why tinge the cheek of youth the snowy neck


Why load with jewels why anoint the hair
Oh lady scorn these arts but richly deck


Thy soul with virtues thus for love prepare.
Lo! with what vermsil tints the apple blooms


Say, doth the rose the planters hand require
Away, then, with cosmetics and perfumes


The charms of mai ure most excite desire"
Year: 1859

A Brain and Nerte People.--One who
appears to comprehend the American
people, physically speaking, says with no
little justice:


The Americans are in fact becoming
nothing else but brain and nerves. Fat
and tibrine are only valued as they sell
in markets, and muscle is only thought
of as it pertains to our draught animals.
Our stimulating climate and our fast
habits make US SO nervous that life is
becoming to us but one continued spasm.
Our movements are like those of dane
ing Jack. Even our pastimes are SO
intense that they fatigue us as much as
our business. The so-called rest which
we begrudgingly give ourselves, wears
us as much as our work. We cannot
bear to have another called mo e
"smart" that ourselves, and we will die
and he burned rather than not become
as rich as our neghbors There is ever
the same unsatisied restlessness, wheth-
er We go abroad or stay at home. No
body shall travel faster or See given





number of objects in less number of
hours than ourselves, no matter at what
cost of money or health. There is no
impossible Alps that We will not climb,
and no deep cave of earth or sea that we
will not explore. There are none who
shall not grow numb before ourselves on
the highest frozen peak, and there shall
be none who can hold their breath longer
under water When the guide is not
looking, there is no kings throne or
pope's chair on which we will not sit.-
There is nothing within the scope of hu-
man ability which we will not undertake,
and when we boast of what We have ac-
complished, there are none who shall
draw longer bow.
Year: 1859

!g Sam Slick in his late sayings
gives some advice about the selection of
wife. Says he, Don't marry too poor
a gall, for they are apt to think there is
no eend to their husbands puss; nor too
rich gall, for they are apt to remind you
oft unpleasant sometimes; nor too giddy
a gall, for they neglect their families nor
too demure one for they are most apt to
give you the dodge, race off, and leave
you nor too weak minded one for chill
dren take all their talent from their moth
ers," and with all due Difference to the
ladies, we would ask Mr.. Slick il he means
to insinuate that the population of the
world is already large enough.
Year: 1859

place, without an object, and without al


aim. 1t was thought that he for lon.


time had entertained feelings of th,


warmest nature for lady who was jus


bursting into womanhood, and who, tho


conscious of his attachment, (yet he bat
not acknowledged it), gave him no surety
of reciprocal feeling. And hence it is
said the cause of his wanderings. HI
had often expressed a heartfelt wish tC
meet her once more, and then could he
win from her roseate lips one smile of re-
cognition, he would be willing to drive
back into bis bosom the outpourings of a
faithful heart, and once more, and forev-
er, turn his feet towards cold and heart
less world.


This wish was now gratifed. Fairy
Seymour, the lady who had caused such
burning passions to spring into existence,
and fire his soul, was near him He stood
before her like living monument of mar
bic ; his lips We're cold and deathlike,
though she marked each pulsation OF his
quick and throbbing heart. He looked
upon her with wild astonishment, trying
to realize that he had, through the inter
position of some superhuman aid, been
permitted to meet again one whose spirit
had taunted him thus far through life's
sad pilgrimage, and which he had ever
cherished, as sacred image, upon the
tablets of his heart. Many proud hearts
had been made to bow and worship at
her shrine, and she was well worthy the
love of Clarence. She was unlike the
artificial beauties of the day, but was in
reality beautiful. She possessed the
qualities of dignity, grace and elegance;
was Of medium height, and moved with
queenly beauty among her proud associ-
ates; telling with her soft blue eye of a
kind heart, amiabIe disposition and spot
less soul Her figure was perfect, her
long tapering arms and hands white as
alabastcr, were thrown careessly around
the symmetrical waist Of her companion,
while her rounder shoulders and snow
white bosom, nesting the first rosebud OF
spring, would heave and fall like some
calm unlroubled water. She had now
truly reached the springlimc OF life
Sad cares AMI mtldncnoly thoughts had
Welded to the realities of the present,
while her heart was as light and free as
the woodland son. 4sters, Whose m llJw
notes made the valley vocal with their
praise.


While some were reveliEg in love of
the beautiful and silded scenes of nature
that everywhere surrounded them, oth-
ers were busily engaged in weaving gar
lands of roses to crown the brow of Fai
ry Seymour, as the unrivaled beauty of
the day. Clarence, who had been stand
ing for some time as if immoveabe, was
now watching with keen and jealous
eve, the movements of his oflicious com
panions. When they had finished, and
decked the crowning wreath with the
fairest of natures leaflets, he advanced
SLOWLY towards her, yet with an unblush-
ing front, and almost in the attitude ol
prayer whispered request that he might
with his own hands, place upon her brow
the indicative crown of triumphant beau
ty.


TTn M cONTINUED
Year: 1859

week for the lower grades of cloths for which prices
better sustained than for higher counts The latter
slowly at quotations Printers not willing to buy in
quantity except at concession from these prices The
following are the sales for the week


..;aa GI.-cA
Year: 1859

The Aurora lind Commercial mentions a sim
gular of somnambulism in which Young lady
of that place, named Sarah Milburn, while in the
somnambulstic state arose from her bed, ran down
the road for half a mile, then returned and went
quietly to bed. The next morning she said she had
dreamed that two came to the house to kill her
amt and herself and badly frightened, she few to
the school-house for aid. When she reached it, and
having given the alarm, as she thought to those
then awoke, but Immediately thereafter again
losing consciousness, she remembered nothing more
of her singular and erratc adventure.
Year: 1859

An EXPERIMENT IN THE HoUsE.-Ith has Justly been
charged upon our Representatives that they did
not attend to the business before them in a busi-
ness like manner-that delays of every kind were
permitted. and that in fact the work really to be
performed was done at the latter part of the ses
sion. Again and again have complaints been made
OF the time frittered away by members in making
speeches for buncomb, or of the wide range per-
mitted in debates. The House of commons has
been pointed at as a legislative body which at
tended to its business promptly and efficiently and
some were inclined to think that it was not unrea-
sonable to ask the House to fellow its example.
Some supposed that the eight dollars per day was
the cause OF the delay of business at Washington
and when that was given up and a salary substi-
tuted, it was thought that decided change would
take place. Well, those who thought thus were
doomed to disappointment. The salary appears to
have made little perceptible difference in the
method of despatching business. Members appear
to think that being paid by the year they should
proong their sessions. This experiment having fail


ed, it was determined to try another method 1t was
known that in the Commons the members sat
! on benches, had no desks, and nothing to invite
their remaining in session longer than was absolute
| ly necessary. Our members, on the contrary had
| luxurious chairs, convenient desks, and in fact
every nducement to transact in the House business
| which ought to be transacted outside of it. Now
it was said that if these desks were abolished one
induceDent for delaying business would be remov-
| ed and accordingly the House passed resolution
| ordering the desks removed


When, therefore, Congress meets, the effect Of


the new arrangement will be watched with much


interest Most persons undoubtedly believe that


the effect will be good Members who formerly


spent much of their time in writing, will be com


PEELED now to give their attention to business, tc
absent themselves from the House, for they will
not wish to be regarded mere idlers. Our peo


pie, however, like to talk and it may be that those
| who formerly wrote will take to talking


that really nothing will be gained in the despatch
| ing of business. However, the experiment is &
| good one, and should be thoroughly tested.--N. Y
| Courier
Year: 1859

Correspondence of the Charleston Courier


STRANGE LAW SUIT IN PRosPECr.-NEw YoRK
Oct ia suit of somewhat curious character is
soon to be tried in this State. The parties to it are
family well known here and in Albany; who are
wealthy and influential, and also occupy high So
cial position. An Gld lady, we will call her Mrs
Henry, though that is not her name having lost
her husband, had her widows share while the sons
and daughters had their proportion Of the large
estate The family all scattered with the excep-
ton OF one son. who remained at short intervals Mt
the old homestead. One of the sons appears to be
OF very avaricious disposition. He is himself
rich, being estimated worth about $500, 900, and
has fine place on the Hudson river


he was, however, not satisfied with the fortune
he had. In course of time his brother, who was
unmarried died. His share ofthe estate of course
had to be divided among all the children alike
This did not satisfy the avarcious brother. The
mother was still living, though hard on to eighty
years OF age. lie made use Of her, and persuaded
her in her dotage to make out bill for board
against her deceased son. for the period of six years.
at 5000 year, and assign the same TO him. When
his mother died and the estate came to be settled
up bis claim was put in against the deceased
brothers estate. The mother and son diving not far
apart the same executors had charge of the afairs
of both estates. They refused to allow the claim of
SloO0O Tor board lnasmuch as they established the
fact, by hotel registers and other evidences that
the d. ceased son never spent one-sixth of his
time at his mothers residence, even if she had
charged him board at the rate of So, 900 q year,
which was improbable.


The rich brother on the Hudson river, falling to
accomplish his object, sued the executors recover
the amount. Since the matter has assumed a legal
shape, people have begun to express their minds
about it pretty freely, and the avarcious brother
has almost repented of his anxiety to obtain more
than his share of the property. Already he has
offered to compromise with the executors, but they
prefer to have the to trial, believing that
they can prove that the claim is trumped-up one;
that it was extorted unwillingly from old wo-
man in her dotage; and that it will exhibit in his
true light rich brother attempting to get the ad-
vantage of his fathers other children by such ig
noble, dishonest means as those indicated.