smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

MANNERs.-Young folks should be manner
ly. But how to be, is the question. Many a
good boy and girl feel that they cannot behave
themselves in the presence of company. They
are awkward, clownish, rough they feel timid,
bashful and self-distrustful the moment they are
addressed by stranger or appear in company.
There is but one way to get over this feeling
and acquire graceful and easy manners; that is,
to do the best they can all the time, at home as
well as abroad. Good manners are not learned
so much as acquired by habit. They grow up
on us by use. We must be courteous, agreel-
Bile, civil, kind, gentlemanly and womanly at
home, and then it will soon become kind of
second nature to be so everywhere. A coarse,
rough manner at home, begets habit of rough
ness which we cannot lay off, if we try, when
we go among strangers. The most agreeable
people we have ever known in company are
those that are perfectly agreeable at home
Home is the school for all the best things
Youths Friend.
Year: 1859

A CURIOUS PRAYER.-In the State of Ohio,
there resided family consisting of an old man
bv the name of Beaver, and his three sons, all
of whom are hard "pets," who had often
laughed to scorn the advice and entreaties OF
pious, though very eccentric minister, who re-
sided in the same town. 1t happened one of
the boys was bitten by rattlesnake, and was
expected to die, when the minister was sent for
in great haste.


On his arrival he found the young man very
penitent and anxious to be prayed with. The
minister calling ON the family, knelt down and
prayed in this wise


"Oh Lord we thank thee for rattlesnakes !;
we thank thee because a rattlesnake has bit
him. We pray, Thee send rattlesnake to bite
John; send one to bite Bill; send one to bite
Sam and o Lord, send the biggest kind of
rattlesnake to bite the old man, for nothing but
rattesnakes will ever bring the Beaver family
to repentance
Year: 1859

An uncle left in his will eleven silver spoons
to his nephew, adding, "If | have not left him
the dozen, he knows the reason" The fact was,
the nephew had some time before stolen a
spoon from his relative.
Year: 1859

the purpose for which it was destined. It was made five years ago, for the war in the Crmea, and started on its journey as far as Marseilles, but the Empnror changed his mind then, and the tent has lain ever since in the flag room of the Tuilleries But, what is curious, the iron bed now in this tent the toilet furniture and the table service in silver belonged to the first Elm peror, and accompanied him in nearly all his campaigns; and as these campaigns were so many victories, Louis Napoleon is going to throw himself upon the destiny of these victorious wash-basins and saucepans, He hopes, on the fields of Marengo and Lodi, to sleep upon, and draw inspiration from, the same bed on which dreamed and schemed his great uncle, and on which he planned the great battles that have made the name of Bonaparte so ilIustrious.- As superstition, there are more absurd ones than this of Louis Napoleon
Year: 1859

AFFAIRS IN MExIco.-The Vera Cruz corres- pondent of the New York Herald thus sets forth the condition of things in Mexico:

 The fury of the Church of Mexico has been let loose, and the horrors of the Inquisition and the merciless war of the Colonial Generals against the first patriots of the Mexican revolu- ton are hourly re-enacted. We all Chat is foreigners) live in fear, for no one can say when his hour of assassination may not come We have seen in the past few days such scenes of barbarous assassination that we tremble to hear who shall not be the next victim of fiendish fa- naticism The natural sensibilities of the hu- man beings have been stulifed by the barbara ties of the church and army clique of this cap ital They have shot in cold blood, without judge jury, or even drum head court martial, over seventy-fve persons (some say over one hundred, most of whom were quiet and inof- fensive citizens and foreign residents in Mex leo. Our alarm is intensified the more by the fact that the French Minister encourages these bloodthirsty acts, and the British Minister, overruled by his wife, does not raise the voice ofa civilized nation, which he represents, against these atrocities, unequaled by the seapoys.- But it may perhaps be better first to enlighten you as to the cause of all this, before I speak more of our deplorable position.
Year: 1859

ARMY ORDERs.-The War Department has issued general orders with view to the better instruction of the artillery:

 At each artillery station there will be estab- lished thorough system of instruction, theoret- ical and practical, in the more essential ele- ments of artillery service The Instruction for Field Artillery" established by the War De- partment; the Instruction for Heavy Artil- lery" established by the War Department; the Ordinance Manual" the Aide Memoire d'Ar- tillere" of the French, are designed for the pre- sent for theoretical instructions and every officer will be required to have copy, There will be for the present, and until it shall be made to appear, to the War Department that certain proficiency has been attained, at least two days week of recitation on the text books by the officers, and one day week for laboratory duty. The commanding officer will, himself, conduct the recitations, or designate some suitable off cer for that duty under bis supervision, as we'll as to have charge of the laboratory. The in- struction on drill will be for at least four days in the week when practicable. The practical instruction at the Notifications will be habitual, each company under its own officers, and under the direction of the commanding officer.
Year: 1859

AMENDMENT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CoNsrI- TUTIoN.-C Contrary to general expectation, the two years amendment was approved by the popular vote of Massachusetts on Monday. It is in the following words, which now constitute portion of the State Constitution:

 No person of foreign birth shall be entitled to vote, or shall be eligible to office, unless he shall have resided within the jurisdiction of the according; to the constitution and laws of this commonwealth; provided, that this amendment shall not affect the rights which any person of foreign birth possessed at the time of adoption thereof; and provided further, that it shall not affect the rights of any child of citizen of the United States born during the temporary ab- sence of the parent therefrom.'
Year: 1859

Every dog in Massachusetts, who would have the right to live, must be registered, numbered, and licensed by the town clerk, and every dog must wear collar with his owners name, and his own number registered on it.
Year: 1859

tween the ties. and on the fast train darted.
Then down went the brakes. tho strong arm
of the brakesman strained tho wheel leve,
to crowd the delaying surface against the
speed-then passengers aroused to find the
train coming to halt, while peither station
nor tank was near; then thus brave man
trod his locomotive top back Again. and as
soon as the power of the advance could be
subdued. jumped from his iron step and ran
down the road; the wonder wss that agita-
ted limbs could move SO fast. and here
there was the child living, unharmed, not a
bone broken, not quite recovered from its
astonishment at the life giving blow which
had turned aside the dart of Death.


Restored to its parents, who thronged
around its deliverer, the little one. too young
to realize that it had quivered on the very
verge of another world, was taken home.
Mr.. Glenn returhed to his engine, and the
locomotive careered on it's gfand progress
with not stain of blood upo1 ~ 6neStsh-
ed metal.


And is not this the record d xdeed Of the
highest order of bravery, theseourage that
saves life
Year: 1859

In Liverpool, England, there is Street
Railway which runs along the line of the
docks. On this line car has been placed
that is intended to run either on the rails


or on the street. The Liverpool Post says :


The wheels Of the bus have movable
fanges, so that when the rail is taken the
hange holds its place but when the rail is part


ed from and the road taken, not in the slight
est injury arises to the pavement. The fanee
in fact sinks by the pressure into the same
plane as the tier. This is accomplished by
means of springs beneath the fange, and
these are so simple that they may, if an acci-
dent occurs, he replaced in few minutes.


The omnibus itself is placed upon a body
of the ordinary construction, and is very ele'
CANT and commodious The top is mounted
by the spiral stair, which IS well protected
and around the top handrail passes, so that
persons can ascend and descend with the
same ease as in the house. The inside is di-
vided into compartments. Each passenger
sits as it were in his or her chair. The space
allotted to each is quite ample, even having
regard to the present style of ladies' dresses
The stair we take to be very great improve.
ment, as it will enable females to ride out.
side, an advantage the convenience of which
is obvious. The present omnibus is con.
structed to hold eighteen inside and twenty.
three outside, yet it is drawn with ease 6y
two horses and as great portion of the
journey will be always upon rails, the distance
can be performed in considerably less time
Upon this there will be gain of 20 pc,
cent. The interior ventilation is very superi
Year: 1859

The London Athenaeuns, in the course of
an obituary notice of the late Bayle st. John,
a young writer of great promise, makes the
following observations on his connection with
the London press


ing many volumes of sound and lasting works.
which showed, however, still more of hope
for the future than of actual service done for
the past, his health broke down chiefly, it
is feared, from overwork of brain, and from
the unwholesome midnight riting of
London daily paper and he has gone to his
rest followed by the sorrowful regrets of all
who knew his genius and his worth. Few of
those who toss the morning journal from hand
to hand over the eggs and toast, who eagerly
bite at its latest news and expect to find in
the editorial columns comments on news only
born from the lightning an hour before, have
any conception of. the sleepless care, the
proEptitude of hand, the fullness of informa-
ton, the rapidity of wit, and wear of brain
required from those who do them this anony-
nous and invisible service.


"If the Press be the protector of civiliza-
ton, as of course we all know, and preach
up day by day, it is often a most cold, cruel
and ungrateful tyrant to its own Minister'S
Like the Revolution, the Press devours it's
children, and with greedy ferocity proper
toned to the earnestness and success with
which it works for the benefit of the outer
world. Year by year we tell off its victims.
AS we look back through the dim light of q
few years, the forms of the men who have
dropt away from this contest gather almost
into crowd. Some of them were persons
who might under other forms of literary ac-
tivity have raised for themselves great repu-
tations, and all of them were gentlemen of
excellent culture and good before them
In the end, even the strong hand and strong
brain succumbed. Late hours, the draughts.
cold lnoise, and closeness of printing office,
the incessant strain of thought and toll of
hand, exhausted the physical powers of en-
durance.
Year: 1859

On the water, on the water,


While the summer days were fair,
Whispering words in softest accents,
Through veil of dropping hair;
While the little ear was peeping,
Half-ashamed and rosy red,
Blushing at the earnest meaning
OF the tender words | said
On the water, on the water,


Fairly shone the sunbeams then,
Dancing on the tiny ripples,


Lighting up the far off glen;
None could hear us save the Iris
Swaying in her golden pride,
And the lilies ever moving


With the motion of the tide.
On the water, on the water,


While the twilight shades drew nigh,
Catching at the dropping branches
Aswe tloated idly by;
Oh! her small hands gentle pressure,
And her glance all words above,
And her soft cheeks bright carnation,
When l told her all my love!
On the water, on the water,


Now float, but all alone,
And | miss the silken ringlets,


And the little hand is gone
Dies the sunsets crimson beauty.


Comes the twilight as of yore,
All remind me of the dear one,


Lost to me for evermore.
Year: 1859

NV AAAno Va Ss W NOAaAOE ns


New YORK, Sept 16.


The Rochester Union furnishes the follow
ing particulars in regard to the drowning of
P. S. O'Connor, who was to have leaped 80
feet at Niagara Falls on the 14th:


He left this city Saturday evening for the
Falls, to make arrangements for his leap
There was little or nothing known of the man
there, and some thought he would not make
his appearance. He went there, however,
and announced his purpose to jump from a
scaffold to be erected by the river side, at
Whites pleasure gIounds near where Blon-
don's rope was suspended. Yesterday morn
ing he went down to the water to ascertain
its depth, to determine where he would erect
his scaffold. He was accompanied by several
men in skiffs to assist him. O'Connor swan
out into the river and dived once or twice.
He then went down in small whirlpool, and
rose to the surface, but could not escape from
the current, which drew him down, and he
sank to rise no more The men in the boats
could not reach him, and nothing could be
done. His body no doubt drifted into the
gseat whirlpool, and may some time be found
near the mouth of the river, or in Lake Onta-
rio. This is all that relates to his adventure
at the Falls. He left his clothes and few
effects to be delivered to his friends when
they appear.
Year: 1859

The history of the Democratic party, says
the Boston Iraueler, can be read in the names
of it's chief organ. At first it was the Globe,
and concerned itself with the welfareof univer-
sal humanity. Then it became the Union,
and devoted itself only to the United States.
Now it is the Constitution, which is so inter-
preted as to leave more than one-half of the
country out of the consideration of the Gov
ernment Its next name will probably be the
Administration, when it will have to make
but one more change to become extinct, like
its namesake.
Year: 1859

OHATTEAUGAY, sept. 10.
The frost of last night has done its work
thoroughly in this vicinity All the vines are
cut to the ground. The degree of cold was
so great as to form hard frost on the
ground. Snow and hail also fell during yes
terday.
Year: 1859


Our fathers growing old, John!


His eyes are growing dim,
And years are on his shoulders laid,


A heavy weight for him:
And you and are young and hale,


And each a stalwart man,
And we must make his load as light


And easy as we can.
He used to take the brunt, John!


And cradle and the pillow,
And earned our porridge by the sweat
That trickled down his brow:
Yet never heard we him complain,


Whate'er his toll might be,
Nor wanted e'er a welcome seat.


Upon his solid knee.
And when our boy strength came, John
And sturdy grew each limb,
He brought us to the yellow field,
To share the toll with HIM;
But he went foremost in the swath,
Tossing aside the grain,
Just like the plow that heaves the soil,
Or ships that sheer the main.
Now we must lead the van, John!
Through weather foul and fair,
And let the old man read and doze,
And tilt his easy chair;
And he'll not mind it, John, you know.
At eve to tell us DER -
Those brave old days of British times,
Our grandsires and the war.
heard you speak of Ma'am, Johnl
'Tis gospel what you say,
That, caring for the like of us,
Has turned her head so grey!
Yea, John, l do remember well
When neighbors called her vain,
And when her hair was long and like
A cleaning sheaf of grain.
Her lips were cherry red, John!
Her cheeks were round and fair,
And like ripened peach they swelled
Against her wavy hair;
Her step fell lightly as the leaf
From off the summer tree,
And all day busy at the wheel
She sung to you and me.
She had buxom arm, John!
That welded we'll the rod,
Whene'er with wilful step our feet
The path forbidden trod;
But to the heaven of her eye


We never looked in vain,
And ever more our yielding cry
Brought down her tears like rain.
But this is long ago, John!


And we are what we are,
And little heed we, day by day,
Her fading cheek and hair
And when beneath her faithful breast
The tides no longer stir,
IT'S then, John, we the most shall feel
We had no friend like her!
Sure, there can be no harm, John!
Thus speaking softly Ger
The blessed names of those, ere long
Shall welcome us no more,
Nay! hide it not, for why shouldst thou
An honest tear disown?
Thy heart one day will lighter be
Remembering it has flown.
Yes, fathers growing old, John!
His eyes are getting dim,
And mothers treading softly down
The deep descent with him;
But you and are young and hale,
And each stalwart man,
And we must make their path as smooth
And level as we can.
Year: 1859

The following acc 1unt Of an engagement be-
tween boa constructor and crocodile, in Ja-
1a, is given by an eye witness


1T was oLe meriIing that stood beside
small lake fed by one of the rills of the noun
tain. The water was clear as crystal and every
thing could be eeen at the very bettO =
Stretching its limbs close over this pond was a
gigantic teak tree, and in its thick shining
evergreen leaves liy hinge boa in an easy cell,
taking his morning nap. Above him was q
powerful ape of the babeen species, herring
race of scamps, always bent on mischief


Nov, this ape, from his position, saw croc-
odile in the water, rising to the top, exactly
beneath the coil of the serpent. Quick as thought
he jumped upon the snake, which fell with
a slash into the jaws of the crocodile. The ape
saved himself by clinging to the limb of tree,
but battle commenced ia the water The
serpent grasped in the middle by tho crocodile,
made the wafer boil by his furious contortions.
Winding his folds around the body of his an
tagonst, he disabled his hinder legs. and BY
his contractions made the scales and bones of
the monster crack. s1f9i f.a,a fsF2 9FE9


The water was speedily tinged With the blood
of both combatants, yet neither was disposed
to yield. They rolled over and over, neither
being able to obtain decided advantage All
this time tie cause of mischief Was in state
of high ecstasy. He leaped up and down the
branches of the tree, uttered q yell, and again
frisked about AT the end of ten minutes, ST.
lepce began to come over the scene; the folds
of the serpent began to be relaxed, and Though
they were trembling along the back, the head
hung lfeless in the water, as. a.3 Gsnu


The crocodile was also still, aad though
only the spine of the back was visible, it was
evident that he too was dead. The monkey
now perehed himself on the lower limbs Of the
tree. close to the dead bodies, and amused him.
self for ten inmates in making all sorts of facea
at them. This seemed to be adding insult to
injury. One of my companions was standing
at short distance, and takiag stone from
the edge ef the lake, hurled t at the ape. Il
was totally ahprepaEed. and, as it struck him
on the side of the head. he WAS Instantly tip.
ped over and fell upon the crocodile. a, few
bounds, however, brought him to the shore and
taking to the tree, he speedily disappeared
among the branches.
Year: 1859

IL At the Protestant Episcopal Convention OF
Louisiana. lately held in New Orleans, in the
course Of his annual address, Bishop Polk spoke
very favorably of the progress made toward estab
shing the propos Il University of the South, to
ward which between two hundred and nifty and
three hundred thousand dollars have already been
/ raised,
Year: 1859

Perhaps you may think l should say
something about politics ; but will not,
for the people are SO thoroughly disguised
with the very name that forbear to bore
them with any of the stuff. / say let the
men who now wage bitter warfare upon
each other " go it they viii meet the fate
of the Sc Kilkenny CATS" and the State will
be the gamer by it.


Truly yours ETC., BEPs..
Year: 1859

GENTLEMEN: Yours Of the Both of june
is at hand. Be kind enough to procure for
me. as soon as,may be, one copy OF the tri-
al of the '4sco there's who were hanged,
lone on the right hand and another on the
left of our Saviour when he was crucifed, !"
and very much oblige
Year: 1859

Most men bow a little lower to new coat
than to an old one, and most women look
with double admiration upon the same man
when newly dressed in fine CLOTH


In this age of shams fine clothes are the
surest passport TO all circles If you enter
the Church. the sexton is struck with your
gentlemanly appearance if your garments are
fresh from an expensive shop, and he most
supercilously pilots you to the best seat at
his command The same immortal soul may
inhabit the same body dressed in plain attire
and he will be sent as a boor to the most
humble and ineligible pew. To all appear
ances it is clothes that God regards as the
badges of soul-righteousness. No matter if
you are in debt to poor tailor, and never
intend to pay hint is all the same-fine
cloth must be respected.


Suppose you are a traveller, an aristoeratic
'equipage will secure you the best accommo-
.dations and the politest attention, even
though your pocket be as empty as dandy's
head On the contrary plain garb will
lodge you in the loft of the hotel, in a filthy
bed, and the charge will be the same as for
him who bows to the aristocracy of clothes.
You come to the dining hall, and every lack
eys head is averted from you while the nice
gentleman who travels on what he owes the
working man like yourself attracts all eyes,
and he is overwhelmed with attention.


So the world goes; and it is the acme of
stupidity for plain man to keep up by his
silence, and his vote, the monopoly system
that thus sinks honesty and manhood beneath
money, fashion and outside show True po-
liteness demands especial attention to the
timid and the humbl9. ltis, however, well
to cultivate an Indifference to the regard
paid to dress, and the disregard we encoun-
ter because we cannot afford the clothes. No
landless outcast can afford such garb as
will pass him among gentlemen 1t would
require all the wages of an employee on the
farm or in the shop, for whole year. to get
single suit worthy of respect


Laborers you cannot initiate them, or win
any esteem, even if you waste all your wages
and run into debt for clothes. 1t is stupid
for you to attempt it. Better let the fools
entirely alone, and, by cheap dressing, save
something with which to establish your in
dependence, and enable you to own your
self and be your own king. Then the lackeys
will run at your beck, and the aristocrat will
bow respectfully as you pass


If you are sighted because Of your dress,
adopt the sentiment of the poor philosopher,
who said he did not consider it himself that
was sighted, but his old hat and rusty
coat, and if they chose to grumble about it,
let them, it was no concern of mis-


But keep an eye upon the world, watch
thow it conducts itself, observe the causes of
ats shows, its knaveries and its wretchedness,
and firmly demand the abolition of falsehood
and establishment of truth-7Hpe Of the
Times.
Year: 1859

Severe Gale--Return of the Uncle Sam


SAN FRANoEscO, Feb. II.


The steamer Uncle Sam has returned from
her intended trip to the Colorado. When
sixty miles out, she encountered a fearful gale
which lasted all the afternoon of Yesterday,
and until IL o'clock last night, when it sub
sided little. All of the baggage and stores
which were on the two upper decks were
thrown overheard. One attempt was made
by the crew to throw the mules overheard,
but they could not get them near the side.
At IL o'clock fears were entertained for the
safety of the vessel. She will not be ready
to sail under a week.


The Uncle Sam had all her upper bull
warks stove in by the heavy sea. Most
of her freight and cargo had to be thrown
overheard the loss of which is estimated at
$4,000 number of her passengers lost
all their baggage. 1t is uncertain yet among
the general confusion whether any lives have
been lost or not. The Uncle Sam is now in
charge of the underwriters, and will dis
charge the Balance of her cargo.


r. W. Slocumb has been confirmed by the
Senate as Coiner in the Mint