smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

''Some months ago, q gentleman ad-
vertised that ne had discovered q sure
specific for the cure of drunkenness.
He would not divulge the secret of
what compounds he used, but furnish
the medicine at so much per bottle.
He did not have so so many applicants
for cure as be expected, considering
the extent of the disease. In fact,
the more malignant cases did not seem
anxious for relief. They rather ap-
peared to enjoy their malady. A few,
however, placed themselves under
treatment, and some were cured
whether by taking the medicine or by
not taking strong drinks, we are not
prepared to say. One of the cured
ones had faith in the medicine, rigidIy
carried out the directions of the doe
tor, and now has not the least taste
for Intoxicating drinks whereas, one
year ago, he was an inebriate and
could not get along with less than a
pint to q quart of whiskey per day.


HE said that he had, at some
trouble andexpense, procured the rec
ipe for the preparation of the medi-
cine, which he had published for the
benefit of suffering humanity. It is
as follows: Sulphat of iron, five
grains peppermint, eleven drachms /;
spirit of nutmeg, one drachm twice
day. This preparation acts as a ton
ic and stimulant, and so partially
supplies the place of the accustomed
liquor, and prevents that absolute
physical and moral pOrtratiom that
follows q sudden breaking off from
the use Of stimulating drinks. It is to
be taken in quantities equal to an or
dinary dram, and so often as the desire
for dram returns. Any druggist
can prepare the prescription. -


We cut the above from an exchange.
The prescription named, is, as stated
tonic and stimulant; but we cOnsid-
er the dose two large by one-third.
Considerable irritation Of the stomach
might be experienced by some pa
tients from so large an amount Of the
sulphat. The sulphat should also be
Of the crystalliZed form. Apothecaries
viii understand this, but some people
might be tempted to prepare the med
icine themselves, and obtain for the
purpose the dried SALT. which is much
stronger. We do not believe that it
can destroy the appetite for liquor,
but it may lessen the cravings for it
until the habit of drinking has been
broken.-ScieptiJfe American.
Year: 1869

Everybody is in the habit Ov braggin
on Job; he did have considerable bile
pashunce, that's a fact but did he
ever keep a districk skule for 8 dollars
a month and board round, or run a
kOuntry newspaper.


Did he ever reap lodged oats down
hill on a hot day, and have all his
gallus buttons bust Off at once?


Did he ever have the jumpin teeth
axe and be made TO tend the baby
while his wife was over TO Larkinses
to a tea party?


Did he ever get up In the mOrnin,
awful dri and turfit three miles before
breakfast 70 gita drink, and find that
the man KEEP temperance house?


Did he ever undertake to milk a
kickin heifer with a bushy tail in fiji
time, out in the lot?


Did he ever set on q litter of kittens
in the old rockin chair, with his
summer pantaloons on


If he can do all these things, and
praze the Lord at the same time, all
that I have to say IL, Bully for Job, "
Josh Billings.
Year: 1869

The Country Gentleman says If the
statements about grating made in a
recent Field are true, "we may
have to believe the story told US some
years ago as to the origin Of the Peach
Blow potatoe. A gentleman assured
us that he originated the variety in
this way: He cut two potatoes one
the Merino Red and the other the Car
ter-fitted the halves Of one to the
other nicely, and bound them to geth-
er with twine. They were thus plan
ted and produced as he assured, what
is. known as the Peach Blow potatoe,
combining in considerable degree
the hardness and productlyeness OF
the red with the good quality OF the
white. We could not then credit the
story, and if any of readers can now
give us the true history and origin OF
the Peach Blow, we viii be glad to
see it."
Year: 1869

Tie Treasury holds a surplus of at
larst Sixty Millions of Gold, which
ought long since to have been used to
pay off the Public Debt, and thus re-
duce our annual burden of interest.
The Gold would once, since we have
held it, have bought Eighty Millions
of Six per Cents; it would still buy
over Seventy Millions. The sooner it
is employed ''for the purchase or pay.
ment' of bonds, as the law directs,
the better for the public interest. Such
a hoard, lying dead, makes G0td scarce
and Bonds plentiful in the channels o1
business, whereas, it is the public in
terest, ia view of the urgent need oi
funding our Debt at lower rates of in
terest, that Gold should abound and
Bonds be scarce. The Treasury stands
right in its own light in allowing q
dollar of coin beyond its current needs
to rest in the Treasury.


The operators for q raise have man
aged to put up the premium on Gold
and this they can do so long as the
Treasury backs them by boarding
Gold. Every dollar thus boarded is
carried for their benefit. If the Treas
ury held but Ten Millions Of coin,
they could not keep up Gold to any
thing like its present premium. But
so long as the Treasury holds on tC
One Hundred Millions, they can man
age and manipulate the residue with
ease.


Putting up the premium on Gold is
playing right into the hands of the
Secretary, assuming that he wishes to
use his surplus coin to reduce the
Public Debt. If he can sell Gold al
140 and buy Bonds at l15, every Mil
lion Of his cash will buy up over One
Million and Quarter OF Bonds. He
ought to thank the gamblers for help
ing him to so favorable on OppOrtuni-
ty, and improve it to the utmost. In
stead of One Million of Bonds pei
week, he should buy up Five, Ten,
Fifteen AIillions-an that he can get
at anything like the present prices oi
Bonds and Gold respective. We dc
not believe he will ever again see q
week wherein Ten Millions of Gold
will buy so large an amount of Bonds
as at this moment. He should buy
buy-buy- SO long as 81 100000 in
gold will purchase 81, 10000 Of the
National Debt and he has a surplus Ol
gold to sell. Such, we cannot doubt,
IS his intention. He may buy but 81 :
100000 this week; but, if the great
disparity between Gold and Bonds
shall continue, he will buy more and
more Bonds from week to week here
after. So crowd up the premium on
coin, Messrs. Gold-Gamblers so that
our gold shall serve to wipe out as
many bonds us possible!-ITibURe.
Year: 1869

To MEASURE A CREB OF CoRN-
An estimate Of the contents Of a crib
Of corn in the ear may be made as fol-
lows: Level the corn in the crib,
measure the length, bredth, and hight
it occupies, multiply these together,
and this product by 0.4, (the decimal
4; this wiz give the amount in shefled
ID corn suppOsing the bushel Of ears
viii produce but n half bushel Of
grains y If the above product be
multiplied by 0.8, we viii have the
actual contents Of corn in the ear
Eaas which are very productive viii
yield more than half; for this, proper
allowance is to be made.
Year: 1869

A CORRESPONDENT of the Boston ITd0-
eller, in letter from Vicksburg, Miss, re-
peats one of the sad stories of the war, as
told by Confederate soldier, over the
grave of his wife, near that city: " She
was twenty nine years old, sir, and she
was Southern lady, too. | came down
here long before the war, and had a nice
bit of land here. fell in with this lady
at the city up river, aud we were married
in 1862. kept out of the war as long as
| could, because didn't like fighting any
how, as l was happy at home, and because
felt more like fighting, if fought at all,
among my native Vermonters. hated
the Confederacy, and said so, and it got
them down on me. So one day a cOmpa-
ny of infantry came along and said they
would shoot me on my own threshold If
didn't enlist at once in the Confederate
army. lived right there then, where you
see the weeds I couldn't get away from
them, and finally, with gun at my breast,
I said | would enlist, and went off leaving
nv wife crying in the door l can see just
how she stood with her handkerchief up
to her face, this way, and her left awaving
like this But no use; had to enlist with
the Missourians, and so / did, with the
mental reservation that I would run
away the first opportunity. But | didn't
get any chance, for they watched me as
close as bloodhound does niger. Fl
nally, when Grants army came down
here our brigade were sent out to kind o
hold them in check. hadn't been home
since went away, and my wife wrote me
trying to cheer me up. The second day
we moved up in plain sight of my house,
our lines being along where that fence is
yonder. Then the Yankees, they came
out of the woods over there, and began
firing. wondered what had become of my
wife, for the bullets from both sides began
to knock the shingles off the house One
side there, where you see the cellar like !!
Well, that's where she went to get away
from the shot, she and her waiting girl.


All night stood out there by that tree,
wishing I might go'sand see my wife.
But she didn't know that | was there at
all. But I determined to desert to the
Union lines the next night, so l arranged


it to be on picket, and was set out there.
in the corner of the field, Just as it was
coming dark, lay down on the ground,
so that the other pickets might not see
me, and crawled slowly toward the house,
and when l got within few rods |
jumped and ran for the house. When |
came around the corner, picket dis
covered what was at, and fired after me,
and the bullet went over my head.
screamed, Mary, Mary and she knew
my voice, and came right out to meet me
on the step, and said, oh dear, dear
George, let's hurry away from here and
| opened her arms to put them around my
neck and kiss me; but some of the Union
| pickets thinking there was an advance 10
Year: 1869

The possibility of great change being
brought about by very slight beginning
may be illustrated by the tale which Lock
man tells of Vizier who, having offended
his master, was condemned to perpetual
Imprisonment in lofty tower. At night
his wife came to weep below his window.
"Cease your grief" said the sage; go
home for the present, and return bither
when you have procured live black
beetle, together with ghee (or buffalo 3
butter), three clews-one of the finest silk,
another of the finest pack thread and
another of whipcord, finally stout coil of
rope" When she again came to the foot
of the tower, provided according to her
husbands commands, he directed her to
touch the head of the beetle with little
of the g1tee, to tie one end of the silk
around him, and to place the beetle on the
wall of the tower. Attracted by the smell
of the butter, which he conceived to be in
store somewhere above MIN, the beetle
continued to ascend till he reached the top,
and thus put the Vizier in possession of the
end of the silk thread, who drew up the
pack thread by means of the silk, the
small cord by means of the. pack thread,
and by means of the cord a stout rope ca
pable of sustaining his whole weight and
so, at last, escaped from the place OF his
duress.
Year: 1869

1t is not known or realized so distinctly
as it should be that our great Washington
was by nature violently passionate man,
and that his habitual composure was the
result of strenuous self fdiscipline-a tri


umph over natural frailty so complete as
almost to have robbed him of the credit
thereof since few could believe him to be
powerfully Influenced by emotion who so
rarely gave way to emotion in even slight
degree. We are persuaded that the trials,
responsibilities, and anxieties which that
greatest of men had to carry would, but
for his constant and profound self control,
have worn him out long before the accom-
plishment of his work; or, if they did not
actually kill his body, would have made
an end of his efficiency for the labors de-
volved upon him. No fretful, fuming,
storming hero could have done his work.
-Lippinc0tt's Magazine for June.
Year: 1869

wW The New York Leader Democrat
ic) gets off the following at the expense
of Democratic member of the New York
Senate:


"Late in the evening, while the Senate
was slanguidly awaiting the hour ofadjourn-
nent, Senator Pierce, who had been absent
few minutes, came in with his usual rapid
stride, and was about to take his seat,
when Senator Creamer said, in a very
audible whisper, Vote in the affirmative
In that full, round tone for which he ia
justly famous, the gentleman from Kings
drew himself up to the height of his Sen.
atorial dignity, saying, Mr.. President,
desire my vote to be recorded in the
affirmative Mr.. Pierce understood the
cause of the laughter which greeted his
request when he discovered that there
was no question pending"
Year: 1869

the direction of my house opened fire just
then-and-and-shot my wife through
the heart, and she fell before che had
kissed me or her. The bullet that killed
her went through my arm, right there. 1
took her up and ran, for the Union lines
shouting, I'm deserter,' and they finally
let me in, but my wife was dead. The
batteries over there hearing the muss
about the house, began shelling it, and set
it on fire, and how the maid got out of the
house don't see. But came back here
when the Union lines advanced and buried
her next day, an Illinois chaplain saying
the prayers. And that's just why wish
was dead can't do anything, nor think
of anything but her. Oh, she was such a
good wife" r
Year: 1869

Are We TO Have Another Tying Triais


We take the following from the New York Lgde-


'"The Rev. Dr. Newton, of Philadelphia, an Episco-
palian OF the most liberal and evangelical type, and
who has the reputation Of being one OF the most sue
cessiul preachers to children In the country, was
lately invited to preach sermon in the Congrega-
tional church to the children Of Woburn 1t is an
immense building, aCcOmmOdatingi an audience of
sixteen hundred; and other church in town
would hold the children and adults OF the various
Sabbath Schools But there is a snug little EpsCo-
pal church., having an average audience OF not over
nifty; and the pastor, hearing of Dr. NeWtOn's COM
ing, addressed him note, Offering the intruder the
use OF his little church, but on the authority OF the
revised canOns Of the Episcopal Church fOrbiddlng
him to preach elsewhere in the limits OF his paris
DR.. Newton preached according to appointment, Civ
ing the opportunity for another Tying trial"


An Explanatory Letter from DIR. Newton.


In the last issue Of the Independent the following
Is publshed:-We lately mentioned the fact that DR.
Newton, or Philadelphia had preached sermon to
chlldren IN Woburn Mass, In opposition to the pro-
test OF the Episcopal rector OF the place. DR.. New
ton SENDS us the following note OF eXplanation:--


PHILADELPHIA, October 4, 1S69.-To the editor of
week my name is mentioned in connection with q
recent service held at Woburn, Mass. VIII you allow
me the privilege OF saying rev words in reference


From the way in which the matter was stated in
the Indeendsnt the inference might fairly be drawn
tnat had oesgnedly and peIsstently sought an op-
portunity or breaking one OF the canons OF the
Church to which belong. Such was not the case.


No one can think worse Of the canon in question
than do. i consider it emlnently unjust and Op-
presslVe. But much as dislike IT, yet feel myself
bound TO conform to it so long as am minister in
the Protestant Episcopal Church. That there was
no intention on my part TO do anything contrary
either to the letter or spirit of that canon, in what
took place at Woburn, viii appear from these three
considerations


In the first place, when the engagement at Wo-
burn was made, was not aware OF the iact that an
Episcopal church had been formed in that town.


address TO the Sunday School OF the Congregational
church. This was not necessarily an Official OF Gle
Year: 1869

The late fire in the port of Bordeaux was doubt
ass one of the most serious Of that kind OF calamity
hat ever aiiicted any seaport There were sixteen
vessels totally destroyed, and numerous Others more
oT less damaged. Those destroyed were composed Of
thirteen ships one brig, and two schooners, to-
gether with their CargOes, valued at nearly half
q million of money. And all this was caused
Nv n man careessly throwing q lighted lucifer
IGatch upon the deck OF lighter engaged in
tronsnorting petroleum in the harDor The COM
6nsti6n was qucEened by an easterly wind
,vbic6 of course helped to spread the ames but TO


he lack of energy ana OF adequate means for such
an emergency may be laid large portion OF the loss


phe vessels on fire not only allowed to ascend
through the thick tiers Of vessels along the Garonne
Int also TO descend again when the tide turned,
Succeeding in the second trip in firing many vessels
mat had escaped their first visit With the
cOntemptible means for suppfessng conhagra-
tion In possessiOn of the Bordeaux folks, the
only wonder is that all the ships IN the harbor
and the whole town. also, were not burnt up.
The correspondent OF the London Times says
that such thing as a steam fire engine is unknown
in Bordeaux, and that a few hand pumps, too small
TO be of much use were the only things they had to
fight the flames with, with the exception OF large
wateT-butt mounted on wheels ana drawn by horses,
which, however, did not much service as at the
height of the cOnnagratOn, 1t was awaiting hand
pump to utilize it, While the hremen were standing
around serenely contemplating the scene. Bordeaux
is most decidedly behind the age in fire engines.
Year: 1869

rical act It was only what any layman might have
DONE IL was not an act therefore, which came
fairly within the range of the canon in question.
And thirdly, the letter OF prohibition from the
Episcopal rector at Woburn only reached me little
while before the time for meeting my engagement.
There was no opportunity Of recalling my appoint
ment was obliged, therefore, either to meet it as
did or to have gone to the place OF the engagement
and have stated the cause of my failure to make the
promised address, This would have thrown the
odium Of the failure on the prohibiting rector Of the
little church in Wohurn and have turned the public
sentiment of that whole community against him and
his struggling enterprise.


II seems to me that prudence, and charity, and
common sense, and every manly and Christian feel
ing pointed out the course adopted by me as the
only proper one under the circumstances.


With great respect, very truly yours,


RICHARD NEWTON.
Year: 1869

to the people Such doubts were more than
justified by his perpetual exhibitions OF pas
sion. of jealousy, of vanity. OF thorough lhteh-
perance of mind His strange physlognonly' winch
was familiar to the world, was PROOF that MS Iaui's
had constitutional origin that would nave required
more moral force than he possessed to overcome Ihe
sketch ia concluded with rather happy comparison
Lord Brougham was at his chateau at Cannes when
the first introduction of the daguerreotype process
took place there and an accomplished neighbor
proposed to take view of the chateau, with group
of guests in the balcony. The artist explained the
necessity Of perfect immobity. He only asked that
his Lordship and friends would keep perfectly still


for five seconds and his Lordship vehemently
promised that he would not stir. He moved about
too soon however; and the consequence was-a blur
where Lord Brougham should be; and 80 stands the
daguereotype view to this hour. There is something
mournfully typical in this. in the picture Of our
century, as taken from the life by History, this
very man should have been central figure; but
now owing to his want of steadfastness there Will DC
forever-a blur where Brougham should have BEEN"


Miss Martineau gives some fine sketches OF eminent
persons Of her own sex, drawn with excellent dis
elimination, and free from any tincturc of womanly
envy or disparagement. OF Miss Milford, she COM
mends the attractive cheerfuness and charming hu-
NOR winch frightened ner delightful styIe, tnouBh
she denies her claim to any insight into passion the
depths of human character, or tho scope OF human
experience. The tragic features in Mrs. Jameson's
history are lightly touched on, while full justice Is
done to her merits in the sphere of picturesque de-
scription and aesthetic criticism. uniform impress
sion is left by her writings and her character that
of a warm-hearted and courageous woman, of indom-
table socabilty of nature, large lberalities. and
deep prejudices" The notice of Charlotte Bronte is
unequal to the interest of the subject, consisting
chiefly of superficial and desutOry details with no at
tempt at philosophical analysis of her character vi
perhaps the nobest female writer Of this generation,
Mrs. Browning, no sketch whatever is gwen. rev
works of more agreeable or fruitful suggestions on
tho WHOLE than the present have recently been issued
from the press. 1t will be valued as an admirable


literary production not ony for its able tributes to
contemporary genius and WORTH but for its freshlus
tratons of the vigorous intellect high purposes, and
rare artistic capacity of the author whose remarka
bic gift Of accomplishment neither the pains OF pro-
tracted sickness nor the subtle thefts OF declining
years have been able to impair.
Year: 1869

A lucid statement of the questions at issue


in the present contest between Cuba and the Spanish
Government is in pamphlet entitled The Case
Of cuba recently for the Cuban Association by
the American News Company. The gist Oh the contro-
yery, here explained. may be stated in few words
namely: the existing system regards Cuba as simple
property ignoring her physical social aud national con-
don contrary the principles Of justice, and the de-


and OF the age and tends to keep alive in the breasts
of the people spirit of insubordnaou which no less
at war with the prosperity Of the island than with the
sovereignty Spain The Spanish rule presents an ahso
Lutte bar to the development Of the natural resources OF
Cuba and is shacke on her trade, more especially with
the United States whose position and pursuits present
the greatest opportunities OF market aud traffic The
essay although written IN subdued and temperate
tone with appeals the spreadeage patriotism Of the
American people, is pointed and fOrcble and can hardly
fail to produce impression in favor OF the cause to
which 1t is devoted.
Year: 1869

Thought of his broadaE, and bringing II TO the side OF
the boat. held up the handle, that could seize u
while the reptile coiling up from the last stunning
blow. The next time he darted at me gave him heay
cut fifteen inches behind his head seyerng the pody
completely of except about inch on the under sue
and he coiled up this part fell over and he fastener
his teeth into his coils One elt more, and sezea.
sde the deck aud the ships rail into the sea
The long trail of his blood the deck assured me tht
was indeed safe, and, drawing long breath 0f rehel
thanked the giyer of all our blessings


With this pleasant narrative, we take leave oil the
adventurous explorer who has added to tho litera-
ture, of American travel Ia branch already of hand
some dimensionsl, work abounding In curious IN
formation. and though showing by many crudities
of statement and illustration that the writer has
but moderate skill in the arts of composition. one
which will attract and reward attention OF the
reader in quest either of instruction or amusement