smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

Fatal DIsAsTER.-The snow storm OF
Thursday impeded railroad operations in
many parts of the country to an unusual
degree, and in some cases occasioned loss OF
life as well as property The Springfield
Republican of Friday morning gives the fol-
lowing account of fatal accident on the
Conn. Il. K. the evening before -


Not for several winters have railroad men
worn more anxious faces than on yesterday
particularly so the engineers. whose duty
and risks are greatest. The storm brought
not only delay and hardships, but an acci-
dent and loss of life that will bring pain to
hundreds of hearts. The northern train due
here at little past six, last evening, made
slow progress with two locomotives and
light load. At almost every step of the way
it was necessary to run back for fresh start
against the body of snow and ice on the
track. The train was passing around the
sweeping curve above Holyoke dam, on one
side the river and on the other ledge Of
rocks-at about O'Clock, when further
progress was stopped, and they ran back to
get under headway. They went back fur
ther than usual, and on coming up agains
with great speed the ice lifted the wheels
from the track and the locomotive was
dashed with great force against the rocks
Mr.. Luther Dickinson of Northampton, the
forward engineer, evidently jumped to save
himself, but was caught between the loco
motive and the ledge and instantly killed
The shock was severe upon all the passan-
gers, several of whom were thrown down
and some Of them bruised Superintendent
Brinsmaid was on the train, and promptly
telegraphed to Springfield for help, which
arrived as soon as possible, returning here
with the passengers. They report the wreck
as terrible, and the scene most heart-rending
Mr. Dickinson head and feet were seen, be-
hind the locomotive, bat his body could not
be got at, and it was doubtful if the debris
be removed in all night The passengers
reached here at halt-past one. Mr.. Dickin-
son leaves a wife and two children at North
ampton, the youngest child an infant of only
a few days.
Year: 1861

We are requested to call the attention OF
Town Clerks of the several Towns in the State,
who have not made returns Of the enrolled mi
litia, according to law, to the order of the Gov
ernor and Commander-in-Chie to Adj't
and Inspector General Baxter, which will be
found below
Year: 1861

In some Of the School Districts Of Lancaster
country the Directors allow the teachers in
their employ one day in each month for the
purpose Of visiting each others schools. Now
whether the Directors should allow their teach
ers this tme or not, has nothing materially to
do with what we have TO say on the subject
we believe it advisable for teachers to set
part small portion of their time for this pur-
pose.


Whole schools frequently accompany their
teachers in these excursions, which has the
effect not only of relieving them for short
time Of the dull moDotony of the school room,
bat OF stimulating them to make renewed ex.
ertions to excel in every good and audable en-
terpriSe. Should they visit school better
than thir own, neater, perhaps, or more order
" and studious, they will at once be seized
with Iaudabe ambition to worke to become
at least as good as the school visited. If, on
the contrary, the school is in worse condi-
ton than their own, it will leave an impress
ion on their minds, and they will at once per-
ceiye the necessity of endeavoring to maintain
their superiority.


But not only will the scholars be benefited,
but the teacher himself may gather a great
deal Of information, even if the school is less
pretending Que than his own. 1t is an old, yet
not the lesa true, saving, that "Lookers-on sec
most of the game;' and we do not think the
teacher forms an exception to this rule. He
plays an important game, and as he is con-
stantly engaged in the play he naturally does
not see many of It's niceties.-But when he
visits the school Of a brother teacher he has
a better opportunity Of making observations,
which may be of much use to him in managing
his own school He can note to better advan-
tage the effect which different methods pro.
duce; and if in certain points he could not sue.
ceed in his own school, he can perhaps discern
the cause of his failure or, on the contrary,
if he succeeds well in his school, he can by
visiting others, be better enabled to see where
bis methods excel. ...... ~
Teachers of the same district al least should
be thoroughly acquainted with each other, and
their methods of imparting knowledge; and
how can this be better accomplished, bow can
the bonds of friendship and brotherly love DO
better fostered, than by visiting each other in
their daily occupations, and mutually encourag
ing each other in their arduous laborS?


We never failed to be profted by visiting
another school and we think day spent in
this agreeable manner is no time lost. We
would recommend to teachers TO make it
rule to spend at least half day in every
school in their district-no matter whether the
directors allow them the time or not-and we
feel confident they VIII be amply repaid for it,
Year: 1861

the same time, puff with his mouth At that
instant felt nv hands suddenly dstend, and be-
come partly open, while experienced sensation
as if cold ball of dough, or something equally
soft, nasty and disagreeabe, was now between
my palms.


/ started to my feet in astonishment of others,
and opening my hands, found there no coin; but,
to my horror and alarm, (for of all created things
detest and loathe tie genus,) / saw young
snake, all alive-ohi and of all snakes in the
world cobra capello, folded, rather coiled,
roundly up. | threw it instantly to the ground,
trembling with rage and fear, if already bit by
the deadly reptile, which began Immediately to
crawl along the ground, to the alarm and amaze
ment of every one present. The juggler now got
up for the first time since he sat down, and catch
ing hold of the snake displayed its length, which
was nearly two feet-twO feet all but an inch and
a half. He then took il cautiously by the tail,
and opening his own mouth to its widest extent,
let the head of the snake drop into it, deliberately
commenced to swallow the animal, till the end of
the tail was only visible; then making a sudden
gulp the whole of the snake was apparently
swallowed


After this he came up to the spectators, and
opening his mouth wide permitted us TO look into
his wide, permitted us to look into his throat, but
no snake or snakes tail was visible-it was SEEM
ngly down his throat altogether. During the re-
mainder of the performances we never saw this
snake again, nor did the man profess his ability
to make it reappear. But he performed another
snake trick which surprised us very much. He
took from bag another cobra di-capello, and,
walking into the center of the room, inclOsed it
in his hands in a folded state. He waved or shook
them for some time in this condition, and then
opened his fists, when, hey presto the snake
was gone, and in its place appeared several small
ones which he suffered to fall from his hands,
when they glided, with their peculiar undulating
movement, almost like the waves of the sea,
across the floor.
Year: 1861

The fort at Calcutta, writes an English officer
in Once-a Week. commonly known Fort Will
liam, is one of the most splendid and convenient
military establishments to be found in any quar-
ter of the globe. 1t is spacious, and somewhat
rese enbles the Tower of London, in that it con-
sists of various streets and squares adapted for
different military purposes. On all sides it is
guarded by nigh and strongly built rampant,
which is surrounded in its turn by broad and
deep fosse, over which are placed drawbridges
leading to the principal gateways. Arrived in
Calcutta, raw griffin. of course. i went to in.
spect the lions. and among others the fort.


The fort is often the scene of animated festiv-
ity, from the presence of native jugglers, re-
nowned for their surprising skill and dexterity
The performances of these strange people have
been so often described that shall only mention
few, for otherwise might tire the reader. One
of them struck me as being curious, from its hav-
ing strong resemblance to the feats recorded in
sacred history, as having been performed by the
magicians of Egypt, in the time of Moses, and in
presence of Pharoah. Indeed, as it is well known
that the Hindoo tricks have been handed down
from the most distant ages, from father to son.
there is little wonder that such a similarity can
exist. The particular trick alluded to is the ap-
parent conversion of a brass coin into a snake


The juggler gave me the coin to hold, and then
seated himself about five yards from me, on a
snail rug, from which he never attempted to
move during the whole performance. / showed
the coin to several persons who were close beside
me, on a form in front of the juggler. At a
sign from him, not only grasped the coin held
firmly in my right hand, but crossing that hand
with equal tightness with my left nclosed them
both as firmly as / could between my knees. OF
course was positively certain that the small coin
was within my double fists The juggler then
began short incantation, accompanied by a
monotonous and discordant kind ofrecitative and
repeating the words, Ram Sammu, during some
minutes. He then suddenly stopped, and still
keeping his seat, made quick motion with his
hand, as if throwing something at me, giving, at
Year: 1861




be inferred from anything have said or have
omitted to say. that have any political sympathy
with his administration. or that expect that any
contingency can happen in which may be lden-
tilted with it. Iexpect 70 oppose his administra-
ton with all my energy on those great principles
which have separated parties IN former times; but
on this question, that of preserving the Union
by peaceful solution of our present ditficulties-
that of preventing any future difficulties by such
an amendment of the Constitution will settle
the question by an express provision-if ! under
stand his true intent and meaning. i am with
him.


Mr.. President, il the result shall prove that.
have put a wrong constructic" on the inaugural,
shall deplore the consequences which belliger-
ent and aggressive policy may infict upon our
beloved country, without being responsible in
any degree for the disasters and calamities which
may follow. believe have placed upon il its
true Interpretation. know have put the pa
triotic construction on IT, believe the action Of
the President will justify that construction. will
never relinquish that belief and hope until he
shall have done such acts as render il impossible
TO preserve the peace Of the country and the unity
of the States. Sir. this Union can not be pre-
served BY war. Ii can not be cemented by blood.
Ii can only be preserved by peaceful means. And
when our present troubles shall have been settled
future difficulties can only be prevented by con-
stitutional amendments which will put an end 10
all controversy by express provision. These
remedies and preventives have been clearly
marked out by the President in his inaugu-
raj. All ! ask that his administration shall
adhere to them and carry them out in good faith.
Let this be done, and all who Join in the good
work viii deserve and they win receive the ap-
plause and appreciation Of grateful country. No
partisan advantage can be taken, no political
capital should be made, out Of generous act Of
noble patriotism. While expect 70 oppose the
administration upon the political issues Of the
day. trust shall never hesitate 70 do justice to
those who, by their devotion TO the Constitution
and the Union, show that they love their country
more than their party.
Year: 1861

Senator WILSON, in a recent speech, said that
the first martyr of the Revolution was a negro
named CEIsPUs ArrUcKs. The Boston Courier
thus disposes of that claim to that honorable
mention in history


History and tradition both sadly at fault if
Crispus was patriot. or the of patriot
According to the most reliable information from
these sources, he was neither more nor less than
a turbulent, rowdy black man, temporarily in
Boston at the time, being sailor or cook at
taehed to a coasting vessel then in harbor, and
bound for North Carolina. He went into State
street, not dreaming of becoming patriot or
entertaining the remotest idea of becoming a
hero /; but because there was a row, and for the
mere fun of the thing. He possessed the moral
qualities of patriot in the ratio of his physical
capacities as mobocrat and bully. Fortunately
for his memory he was killed. If he has survived
that reconnoitre, he would have lived only to fight
another day, and to die perhaps in a less glorious
manner. AS it happened, accident msde him a
hero, but politics can never make him patriot
Year: 1861

We have all read of the famous hanging gar
dens of Babylon, and fancied how beautiful they
must have been. Yet every lady reader can
have her miniature hanging garden, all the year
round vernal and green. Indeed, there are no
suitable pets for ladies but flowers and plants.
There is a simultude between them almost poeti-
CAL and a house without either is indeed a desert.
We wish that the scriptures contained a strict
Injunction to cultivate the beautiful, for then,
perhaps the world would be more sweet and
grand than it is for want of fine and true appreci
alton of beauty in the souls of half the human
race. But we did not set out to write a homily
only to advert to the ease with which room,
or windows, can be made pleasant all the year
round in the Giving green of summer" by
hanging baskets, in which variety of plants and
flowers can grow, and by the blending give more
pleasure to the eye. A basket planted with a
good selection of trailing plants growing thrifty,
is very graceful and beautiful object, and il is
fvery easy accomplishment. First, as to the
kind of basket.


If you do not wish to 60 to any expense, you
can manufacture one yourself out of pieces of
rough bark, or a small box covered with acorns,
pine cones, etc., looks very rustic and appropri-
ate; and, in fact, taste and ingenuity can invent
great many inexpen-ive designs, but they can be
bought for a mere trifie at almost any seed store.
Only be careful, if you get up a design of your
own, to leave a hole in the bottom of the basket
for drainage, as that is indispensable.


And now, if you have your basket, put in the
bottom some broken pieces Of flower pots or river
pebbles, and then some light, spongy, sandy soil;
in this insert your plants, and give the whole a
good wetting to settle the soil well around the
roots, and if you keep it in a warm room be par
ticular about wettingit every day; morning is the
best time as the earth soon dries. There are a
great many plants suitable for hanging baskets
anything that has trailing character will answer
Those that live within reach Of a green house
can have a choice of a variety of plants. We
would recommend the following: Senecio scan
dens, sedum seaboldii, Kennilworth ivy, Trades.
cantin, sycopodum denticulatum. The wax
plant, ice plant, zebra plant, periwinkles, mock
strawberry, toadfax, love entangle, partridge
berry, ground ivy, and great many others. The
above, however, are most suitable, and can be
recommended
Year: 1861

umphed, the United States Supreme Court giving
decision in her favor and gave such directions
as will place her in possession of all the estate of
DANIEL CLARK, and pronouncing her his only le-
gitmate child. This is a wonderful instance of
what woman perseverance and persistence can ac-
complish
Year: 1861

We are glad to know that it is to be the
policy of the administration to throw bodies
Of troops, large enough to meet any necessity,
into such parts of the seeded states as show
disposition Of loyalty to the Union and the
Constitution. Western Virginia has been
already occupied and the federal troops are
received with open arms and every demon
stration of JOY on the part of the people, who
regard them as their deliverers from reign
Of terror, such as has hardly parallel in the
annals of civilized nations Eastern Tennes-
see is undoubtedly equally as loyal as Wes-
tern Virginia, and it is the constitutional du-
! ty of the president, and duty which will be
cheerfuly performed, to protect the people of
that portion of Tennessee from the attacks of
the secessonists, whose object is not only to
destroy the Union, but to make "a republican
form of government mere sham, or an ut
ter impossibility.


We hope therefore to see columns of Fed
eral troops soon penetrating southwark into
East Tennessee. Such an army would meet
with few distractions, and little, if any op-
position. 1t would meet more friends than
enemies. The climate is salubrious and
healthy, and there is no need on that account
of waiting until autumn. The climate is ev-
en- better in that region than at Washington.
Moreover, in a strategical point of view the
occupation of East Tennessee is of incalcula-
be Importance, since our troops would COM
mand the only direct railroad communication
between the rebel army in Virginia and the
heart Of the seeded states The enemy
would thus find itself outhanked with It's
main avenue of retreat cut Off


Senator Johnson, the gallant defender of
the Union, who resides in East Tennessee, is
now in Washington, and has called upon the
administration for protection to his section
OF the state, and We 90 not doubt that an i'm
portant movement will soon be made in that
direction.
Year: 1861

OUTWARD BEAUTY.-I cannot under
stand, says Frederika Bremen, the import
ance which certain people set upon outward
beauty or plainness, am of opinion that
al true education, such at least as has
religious foundation, mu refuse noble
calm,a wholesome coldness an indifference,
or whatever people may call it, toward
such.like outward gifts, or the want of
them. And who has not experienced of
how little consequence they are, in fact,
for the veal or wo of life? Who has not
experienced how on nearer acquaintance,
plainness becomes bcautifed, and beauty
looscs its charm, exactly according to the
am also of opinion that the want ofoutward
beauty never dsquiets noble nature, or
will be regarded as a misfortune. 1t never
can prevent people from being amiahle and
beloved in the highest degree, and we have
daily proof Of this
Year: 1861

NV


A sad case of destitution came 10 the
knowledge of the Fourth Ward Police,
about 4 o'clock on Monday afternoon.
Officer Rade found in the tenement house,
No 80 Madison street, in the upper part
of the building, the lifcless body of a man
named John Williams, about 33 years of
age, stretched upon the floor. From his
appearance he had probably had the con-
sumption, and being unable to procure the
necessaries of life, had laid down and died
from Starvation.


From the Brooklyn Eagle


A poor lone woman, Mrs. McMullen,
residing at III Hudson avenue, learning
the death of her husband, who had gone
into the country in search of employment,
combined with her destitute condition, so
disheartened her, that she resolved to end
her troubles by taking large dose of
laudanum on Tuesnay night. The result
of course was fatal.


From The New York Day Book1


1t will be seen by our police reports that
600 poor people sought lodging in the
station houses last night. Thousands are
suffering for want of food and clothing,
many are dying-actually dying of star
walton. We report another case to day.
Meantime, preparations are going Oh to
make war on the South because it cannot
recognize the blessings of negro equality.


[From the New York Sun.


The office of the Superintendents Of tho
Poor, in the basement of the City Hall, is
daily thronged by unfortunate persons,
mostly females, seeking relief They stand
for hours waiting their turn. A few it is
suspected, are imposters, but doubtless the
great majority are in actual want A day
or two since an affecting incident occurred.
A young woman who had been standing
for some time in the cold, damp hallway.
fell down from exhaustion, and it was some
time before size could be restored to anima-
ton. The state of her physical system
was evidently the result of the want of the
necessaries of life.
Year: 1861

CooL.-A gentleman residing in a vii
lago finding that the diminution of his wood
pile continued after his fires were out, lay
awake one night in order to obtain, if
possible, some clue to the mystery. At an
hour when all honest folks should be iu bed
hearing an operator at work in the yard
he cautiously raised his chamber window,
and saw lazy neighbor. endeavoring to
get large log into his wheelbarrow,


You re pretty fellow, said the owner,
''to come here and steal my wood while
sleep"


eyes" replied the thief, Sand suppose
you would stay up there and see me break
my back with lifting before you'd offer to
come and help me.'
Year: 1861

SUCH is the crowded state of the Paris
thoroughfares that during the year Gyo
thousand persons have been wounded, and
seven hundred killed, by the vehicles of all
kinds which fill the streets and render the
crossing of the latter almost Impossible to
nedestrians.
Year: 1861

Those people who turn up their noses
at the world, might do well to reflect that
it is as good a world us they were ever in,
and as much better one than they arc
likely ever to get into again,
Year: 1861

bONiS' AhEbf ooPNs %
The Mobile Tribune OF the ID states that
VIII le men were employed in getting tho dry
dock ready to be raised at Pensacola.
they we're fired upon from Fort Pickens.-
The first was blank shot. the second SOL
id. and the third shell. The last came near
doing damage, and the men left speedily
The Tribune asks Indignantly " Is not this an
outrageous act Of war p
Year: 1861

ALBANY, July H.
A bad break is reported in the Black
River Canal feeder, which it is said will
take 15 days to repair.
There is probability that the break
will occasion want Of water on the Rome
level, and thus stop navigation on the Erie
Canal.