smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

is evidently fear OF the bear which makes
the seal 80 uneasy and restless when they are
on the ice, as very many Of these seals in all
probability never saw man or n beast in oil
their lives.


DISTINCTIONS BErwEEN THE SEAL AND TUE


wALRus.


The resemblance between the seal and the
walras is not in any respect 80 close, either
in their appearance or in their habits, as one
would be apt to suppose by looking at the
clumsily stuffed specimen Of walrus in the
British Museum or at the few absurd carica-
lures Of this animal which exist. The wal
rus in every way partakcs much more Of the
nature Of land animals than the seal, which
again seems more closely allied to the ceta-
ceans. For instance the walrus can double
his hind legs under him and walk upon them
like any other beast, while the seal always
keeps his hind extremities stretched back
ward like the tail of cetacean. The walrus
cannot remain under water for nearly 50
long Us the seal, neither can he sustain the
pressure of the water at anything like the
depth to which the great seal can descend
the walrus goes ashore on the beach or rocks,
and the Spitzborgcn seal, although he basks
on ice---both fixed and aoating-is never
known to go on land or even to lie on a half
tide rock; the walrns is gregarious and the
great seal solitary, even two seldom being
found together; the young walsus lives with
bis dam two seasons, while the young seals
are believed to leave the protection Of the old
ones at a few days old, and to SHIFT for them
selves like young fishes. believe young
seal is never found along with its dam. The
food of the walrus is generally obtained by
ploughing the submarine banks with his
tusks, and the seal catches his prey swim
ming in the water.


This evidence would seem to argue that
the seal is farther intermediate between the
walrus and the whale, but cannot presume
to hazard any opinion on that.point he may
have diverScd from the walrus, or he may
baycsprung more directly from some other
race of animals living or extinct, without
the Intervention of the walrus.


But,in whatsoeyr way the numerous tribes
of seals may have originated, think that
we have strong evidence before us, in the ap-
pearance and habits Of the great seal and the
walrus, to induce us to entertain the belief that
Oncor the other of them or some allied animal
now extinct, has been the progcnitor of the
whales and other cetaceans.


1t is useless to rccapitulatc the description
Of the manner in which Ihumbly conceive it
possible that these mighty animals might
have been developed, as the cases bypocriti-
cally put before must have explained my
meaning sufficiently and my utmost hope is
that the suggestions and remarks that have
thrown out about the appearance and habits
of animals so little known may assist in
enabling other better qualified advocates Of
the graet theory of progressive Development
by means OF natural selections to work it out
to demonstration.
Year: 1861

GoLD ON THE AMooR-A recent letter
from st. Petersburg states that the COVER
nor of the territory lying around the
Amoor has sent off an expedition to search
for gold beds cOrjectured 10 exist in the
beds OF that stream. Gold has been found
heretofore in considerable quantities in the
mountains at some distance, but the dig
gings will not be opened to private compe.
tltlon until 1865, as it is feared the gold
fever might have the effect of drawing too
many people from the military colonies
Year: 1861

D~We publish below, part Of an act
passed by the last Legislature, to regulate
fees and costs. There are great many Of
our citizens who can never ascertain conve-
niently such costs and fees, and to them
such publication is a necessity, Every
one is directly interested in it, and if laid
away for future reference, would prove Of
great service:
Year: 1861

The MISuR1rY PARTY.-We must not,
for moment, lose sight Of the fact that
the Republican party is minority party,
having two-thirds of the people Of the Un-
ion opposed to it in toto,
Year: 1861

thousapd times, and try never 30 hard TO chsnge
its real character BY giving IL sharmless name,
still We may be sure that no such thing as
pssceable secession is possible. That this is
The belief and conviction OF the insurgents
themselves, Is evident from all their words and
proceedings, and from the unconcealed fact
that the Southern Confedsracy is raising and
souipping large military force. No, sir; the
sooner the American people make up their
minds to meet the crisis Is II is in its plain and
terrible aspect go much the better. The sooner
We change the vacillating, cowardly, disgrace.
full, If not traitorous, policy Of the outgoing Ad.
ministrstion, the better.


Let us know, first of oil, whether our Gov.
eminent Is FACT or . FICTION. Let us no
longer be laughing-sto to ourselves and to
the rest Of mankind for our ridiculously con.
temptible hesitation in meeting and treating
armed treason and rebellion as it richly de-
serves.


%. FINALLY, STAND FIRM.


All that the friends Of freedom and equal
rights have to do in this crisis is to stand firm
by their faith, gather round and uphold the
good old Constitution Of our fathers, and loyalty
defend the Union they established. It seems
to me that our duty is very plain.


We are asked to make new laws. answer
there are too many already. Let the present
laws be enforced. Amend the Constitution I
Let the people do it in the regular way, when
ever they think it desirable. shall not object
No, sir; obey the Constitution, and administer
the laws as they are, and all will be well
Stand by the Union Of our fathers. Rally un
der the glorious folds Of the stars and stripes
AND THE COUNTRY WILL DE SAVED. And fol
the rest, let us "trust in God, and keep ou
powder dry"


Stand for the right mid the gloom and the SORROW


That hangs lowering the prospect to-day;


For the truth will shine brighter aud clearer tomorrow


While darkness and doubt shall be driven away


Sand, as the rock, old Plymouth, is standing,


fhosgh lashed by tho fury Of ocean so long


'Tvas Q oothod most firm 10 the pilgrim on landing,


And stands for his children, now equally strong"
Year: 1861

SENATOR Foor.-The unanimous selection
of this gentleman for the. office Of President
pro tempore of the Senate, by the caucus of
Republican Senators, was not more an &C.
knowledgment Of the dignity of his manners
and great skill as q presiding officer, than Of
the purity of his character and of the solidity
and soundness Of his judgment. 1t is a posi-.
ton which places him at the second remove
from the Presidency, by the constitutional pro-
vision for the contingency of the death or re-
moval of the President and Vice President.
Year: 1861

"a Republican" writes from Findlay,
Hancock county, stating that the Republi-
cans in that portion of the State are opposed
to any "Union" movement by which 8
Democrat will be elected Governor. The
writer Of the communication (which he
says was not intended for publication
says:


I an willing to give Mr.. Tod and all
other Democrats due credit for the stand
they have taken in favor Of maintaining
this glorious Union, but does it follow that
we Republicans must vote for Democrats
to fill cur highest Offices, in preference to
men equally as well qualified, and whose
principles have always been right2 1
think il well that there should be as little
political excitement during the next cam
paign as possible. would be pleased TO
see but one candidate for Governor, but
why should thet candidate be taken from
the Democratic party2 Surely not because
Republican principles are wrong, nor be-
cause there are not men in the Republican
party sminently qualified TO I'll the Office.
There viii no doubt many perplexing ques-
tions arise in Congress after this rebellion
is put down, and 1 think we ought 10 be
careful 70 fIl our Offices, State and National
with the very best men We have, men who
have been tried and can be relied on.
have no desire for any Office in the gift o.
the people, but have labOred for the success
Of Republican principles, and expect to d.
so as long ns live. have consulted Wit
8 number Of Republicans on this subjec
recently, and they all express the sam
sentiments'
Year: 1861

The members of the Richmond Conven-
ton are inveterate jOkers, ana delight to
amuse themselves by absurd propositions.
For instance, the telegraph says that they
propose 10 instruct their Finance Committee
to inquire into the prOpriety of repudiating
an debts owei 10 Northern houses and oiti-
zens, and hold the amount of such debts as
a sinking fund from which to indemnify them
selves for all losses in any way sustained in
consequence of the war. Never a word
about the ''expediency" of such a proceeding,
but they inquire IS to its ''prOpriety," a
quality which they were never known to
trouble themselves with before. Their cred
itors st the North have already learned to
appreciate these jokes upon the part of their
Southern debtors.
Year: 1861

ThearmF worm is stili among rs in ap-
paIling numbers. Il is a mistake that they
breed every SIX hours. They are the product
Of an egg. Within few days past we have
seen several nests Of their eggs. They are as
small as the head of pin, and Of q yellow
color and their nest consisisof q substance
something like fine cotton, and is generally
found underneath some leaf or spears Of
grass. The warm sun matches them, and as
soon IS they can crawl they begin to eat the
grass.-ff ffttyssld Democrat June IL.
Year: 1861

We will furnish the DAILY DEMOCRAT from
this date until the returns Of the Gubernatorial
Election are received on the the following terms


In Advance lin all cases go 90


The DEMOCRAT is the only daily paper in the
Northern or Central portion Of the State, that
hOists the nominees of the Union Democratic
State Contention. BY little exerton on the
part Of our friends our circulation can be greatly
extended. a. S. RANDALL 4 CO.
Year: 1861

FATAL MINING Accidental man named
James Black was killed in the old Mitchell
claims at Woolseys Flat, Nevada county, on
Tuesday morning last. The circumstances
are thus detailed 10y the Journal:


An attempt had been made on Monday to
sluice the claims through tunnel which had
become stopped. Black went into the tun-
mel and attempted to clear out the obstruc-
tions. lie remarked it was the most danger
Gus place he was ever in in his life. On
Tuesday morning he went in again with a
Frenehman for the purpose of removing the
difficulty with all due caution. They had
not been at work more than ten minutes
when the pressure of the water &c broke
away the obstruction and washed both the
miners out of the tunnel. The Frenchman
succeeded in getting out with some bruises
Black must have been instantly killed, as
when found his skull was crushed 1t is con-
ceded by all who knew Black that he was
one of the most careful of miners.
Year: 1861

SMALLPOX llosrlrAL.-A new small pox
or pest hospital, has been built by the city
OF San Francisco at an expense of s700.-
There have been eleven cases Of small pox
treated in it lately. Six have recovered and
the rest are doing we'll
Year: 1861

STILL IN THE DAUK.-The Express seems
still to founder about in the dark as to the
difference between Democrats and Rcpubli-
cans. 1t cannot see how man can be a
Democrat and not be opposed to the Govern
ment. We cannot see how man can be q
Democrat who is an enemy to the Govern
ment. If JEFF Davis is National Democrat,
then we are all wrong. If Stephen A. Doug
las was National Democrat we are all right
The Express has about as much to do with
Democratic principles as the Devil has to dc
with holy writ.
Year: 1861

TIE ORGAN,-Some ofour friends express
surprise because the State Central Committee
resolved that the San Francisco Herald be
adopted as tie organ of the Union Democrat
ic party of this State" We think we can
explain. The Committee do not mean to
forbid other papers from supporting the
ticket in their humble way nor do they in
tend to decree that all Democrats shall take
Mr. Guthrie's paper. Perhaps even differ
ences Of opinion between the Herald and
other party journals might not be followed
by the accommodation of the latter. The
Committee must have meant to say to the
party in a delicate way: "The Herald will
hereafter be sound, because John II. Ridge
is to be the editor. The party will please
forget its support of Gwin, Breckinridge and
Secession, for it has joined the church and is
in the hands of q Union man."
Year: 1861

In Notes of an Army Surgeon" is re :
lated al aDcedote of barber Wbo, while
having the stump of bis arm dressed, 1.-THE
limo bad just been shot of. ! burst out in
to loud laugh. Whist is the matteri
this does not strike me as anything very
laushable. said the surgeon. Indeed
it is not" was the reply. "tut / lost my
arm IN sucb funny way, that really
cannot help laughing when 1 think of it.
You see our 6rst sergeant wanted shaving
badly; and as | always shaved him It
was of course my business to do it then.
We went together in front of bis tent; I
bad latbsred him. took him BY the nose,
and was just applying the razor, when =
cannon ball came, and that vas the last
| saw Of bis bead and my arm. Excuse
me. doctor, for laughing so, but / never
saw such thing before"
Year: 1861




In the Circuit Court this morning the Of Patre,
the pirate called up, but postponed t next Mon
day. While the Assistant District Attorney was urging
the trial. Judge Grer said he could have
the regular business Of the court interrupted. 1t
seemed like farce TO try them at this time, when
tho country played civil The dictates Of humanity
would counsel the government to treat eaptives on the
the as those taken on land and he could not
understand the policy Of hanging the first and holding
tho latter as prisoners releasing them. Let the re
be,ion be crashed-and God grant that may be spedi
Wand these men might be tried for treason or piracy,
and he would assist no matter how much be might b.
called Jefreys Scroggs.
Year: 1861

\ few evenings since, we saw the
following game played at a party, in
which old and young join:


The game is called 1.-The Voyage to
India" and is calculated to try per-
sons power over keeping sober face,
as every one detected laughing must
be counted out until the next game
All took their seats in q circle.


One commenced the play by saying
to his right hand neighbor, "My BROTH
er has returned from India" His
neighbor, asked, s'What did he bring
you?" "a FAM was the reply; then
the first speaker waved his hand as
though using q fan, while his neighbor
held the same conversation with the
one on his right hand, and then com
menced waving his hand. This was
repeated all around the circle, until
each one sat tanning himself with one
hand.


When it had passed around, the
leader said to his neighbor, "My broth
er brought me two FANS" and at the
same time commenced tanning himself
with both hands; and this was passed
around the circle from one to the 9th
er until all were industriously using
both hands.


"My brother brought me boot -
said the first speaker, swinging his
foot back and forth, which went the
rounds then both boots were swung;
thus all the hands and feet Of the par
ty were i'll motion. BY this time the
scene was so ludicrous that most of the
company had Joined in hearty laugh,
and were obliged to leave the ring
but some five or six yet remained.


''My brother brought me hat
said the leader shaking his head, hands
and feet, and all followed the example,
''He brought me cushion;'' then
hands, feet, head and body were all
set in motion, and the gravest Of the
company could hold in no longer, and
SO the play ended with shout.


If this had failed the leader intend
ed next to mention a whistle; if any
conld keep from laughing after that,
we think further trial would have been
useless. The above play is probably
not new to all of goa, though zee have
never seen it before. There is no OBJ
lection to an occasional innocent play
on purpose to have good laugh i,
oils up the working machinery, cures
mental rheumatism, and fits one 70,
active duty.
Year: 1861

Let not one failere discourage you.
He that has had fall may stand as up
right as he ever did.


The poor often complains that he
has nothing to live on; the rich man
still oftener, that he has nothing to live
for.


Time never passes SO slowly and
tediously as to the idle and listless.-
The best cure for dullness is to keep
busy.


The law should be to the sword
what the handle is to the hatehet: it
should direct the stroke and temper
the force.


-"Yoar horse has tremendous
long bit," said a friend to Theodore
Hook.


Yes said he, "it's a bit toc long,
Year: 1861




~GrocdIIe, Boa Constructor ana Monhey'


Here is description Of deadly fight 10
Java between apcrocOdile and boa con-
strietor, With a'nrodkey looking on, delight
seds


Il was one morning that stood beside a
small lake, fed by one Of the rills from the
mountains The waters were clear as crys-
tai, and everything could be seen to the
very bottom. Stretching its limbs close
over this pond was gigantic teak tree. and
in its ever thick, shining, evergreen leaves
lay huge boa, in an easy coil taking bis
morning nap. Above him was a powerful
ape, Of the baboou species, leering race Of
scamps, always bent on mischief. Now the
ape, from his position, saw crocodile in
the water rising to the top exactly beneath
the coil Of the serpent. Quick as thought
be jumped plump upon the snake, which
fell with splash, into the jaws Of the croc-
odle. The ape saved himself by ciiaging
to limb of the tree, but battle royal i'm.
mediately commenced in the water. The
serpent grasped in the middle by the croc
odile. made The waters boil by his furious
,contortioos Winding bis folds round and
round his antagonist, he disabled bis two
hinder legs, and by his contractious made
the scales of the monster crack. The water
was speedily tinged with the blood of
both the combatants, yet neither WAS dis
posed to yield. They rolled over and over
and over, neither being able to obtain de-
cided advantage. All this time the cause
of the mischief was in state of the highest
ecstacy. He leaped up and down the
branches of the tree, came several times
close to the scene of the fght, shook the
limbs of the tree. uttered yell, and again
frisked about. At the end of ten minutes,
silence began to come over the scene.
The folds of the serpent began to be relax
&c, and though they were trembling along
the back, the head hung llfeless 10 the wa
tee. The crocodile was also still, aud
Though only the spine Of the back was visi-
Bile, It was evident that he, too, was dead.
The monkey now perched himself on The
lower limb OF the tree, close to the dead
hodies, and amused himself for ten minutes
In making all sorts OF faces at them. One
of my companions was standing at q short
distance, and taking a stone from the edge
of the lake hurled it at the ape. He was
totally unprepared, and as It struck him on
the side of the head, be was instantly top
pied over, and fell upon the crocodile. A
few bounds, however, brought him ashore,
and taking to the tree he speedily disappear
ed among the branches.
Year: 1861

A NEW VERsE.-0liyer Wendell Holmes
has added the following appropriate verse
to the ''Star Spangled Banner":
When our land is illumined by Llberty's smile
II "a foe from within strike blow at her glory
Down, down with the traitor that dares to dehle
The flag Of her stars and the page Of her storyl
ny the millions unclaimed when our birthrght was


gained,


We will keep her bright blaEon forever unstained
And the Star Spangled Banner In triumph shall wave,
While the land of the free is the home OF the braye
Year: 1861

CONSUMPTION OF New ENGLAND GOODS IN
THE S0UTH.-The threatened interruption OF
trade between the sections has caused in
quiries to be instituted as to the cOnsump-
tion of goods of Northern manufacture at
the South. On this subject the Boston Tran
script says:


The consumption at the South Of the textile
fabrics manufactured in New England, we find
by inquiries among those best informed on the
subject, is not so large as is generally supposed.
Some of the most extensive manufacturers here
estimate the call for their goods south of Balti-
more and st. Louis to be only about five per
cent. of the whole production Of their mills. The
South now manufactures nearly all the heavy
brown cotton goods it needs, so that there is
only slight demand for sheetings, shirtings,
&c, from the slave States. The South buys
blue goods and negro clothes here, but not, we
are informed, to such an extent as is generally
supposed. American prints are much worn by
Southern ladies, and hence they are consumed
at the South to larger extent than any other
textile fabric made at the North. One Of the
commission houses Of this city, whose annual
sales of textile fabrics exceed five millions Of
dollars, have this week found upon examina-
tion that less than two per cent. Of their bills
receivable were due from merchants south Of
Maryland and Missouri.
Year: 1861

DEEP SNow.-The snow along the mail
route, on Scott mountain, is said to be fifteen
feet deep. So great was the obstruction offered
to the Stage Company that it was impossible
to get the mail over the mountain for several
daySe
Year: 1861

THE LONE MOUNTAIN MURDER.-The San
Francisco Police Judge has committed Mar
ran, one of the parties accused of the muir
der of the johnson family, to await the
action of the grand jury. There is little
evidence against him, however, and the
Lone Mountain nurder is still as much a
mystery as ever. There was report to
the effect that somebody witnessed the muir
der, while lying behind clump of bushes
near by, but the witness who was to divulge
all the particulars failed to make bis ap-
pcarance. The police are still engaged in
The effort to unravel the mystery.
Year: 1861

There was silence. The Continental
soldiers, who had sworn to avenge his broth
cr's death stood with dilating eyes and par
tod lips. The cu!prit kneeling upon the
floor with his face like discolored clay felt
his heart leap to his throat.


Then in clear bold voice, the widow
read this line from the Old Testament 1t
Tas short yet terrible:


THAT man shall die I"


Look the brother springs forward to plunge
a knife into the murdcrer's heart but the
tory, Pinioncd as he is, clings to the widows
knees. He bcgs that one more trial may be
made by the little girl, that child Of five
years cid with the golden hair and laughing
eyes.


The widow consents There is an awful
t,tusu. STiuI snnIe IN her eye, without
knowing what she was doing, the little girl
opens the Bible, as it lag ON her mothers
knee she turned her face away and placed
her finger upon line.


I'he awful silence grows deeper. The
deep drawn breath Of the brother, and bro
ken gasp Of the murderer, alone disturb the
stiffness; the widow and the darkhaircd boy
were brcathless. The little girl, as she caught
feeling Of awe from those about her, stood
breathlcss her face turned aside, and her
tiny finger resting on the line Of life and





death.


At length gathering courage, the widow
beat her eye upon the page and read: 1t
was Il line from the New Testament.


Glove yrur enemies"


Oh book Of terrible majesty and child
like lovc-of sublimity that crushed the
heart with rapture, you never shOnc more
strongly than there in the lonely cot Of the
Wissahickon when you saved that murder
er's heart.


Now look how wonderful are the ways Of
heaven. That very night us tie widow sat
by her firesidc, sat there with crushed
heart and hct rye-lids, thinking Of hcr hus-
band who now lay mouldcring or the drcmch>
cd soil of Paoli-thcrc was tap at the door.
She opened it, and that husband, living
though covered with wounds, was III her
arms.


He had fallen 1T P;,oli--, but not in death
he was alive, and his wife lay painting on
his bosom.


That night there was a prayer in the wood
cmbowereu cottage Of Wissakicon.