smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

A NEW CTY.-Yesterday the citizens of
Auburn accepted the city charter granted
them by the present legislature by 81 majority.
Auburn is the thirteenth city in Maine and
Ellsworth will soon be the fourteenth.
Year: 1869

Some friends of Gen Butler propose to have
an election for United States Senator this win
ter, and with this view "private advices' say
be will give considerable attention to the elec-
tion of the Legislature this fall To be sure
the constitutional time for the election of a SEN
ator does not take place till year later, but
that's no consequence. To prepare the way,
perhaps, we notice that the General has been
writing very unhandsome letter to a gentle-
man in New York concerning Mr.. Wilson and
the labor question, in which something is said
about mounting hobbies after they get well
started. The Essex General speaks with feeling
on that subject. Advertiser, Aug. z.
Year: 1869

The efollowing extracts show the state of the New
YORK money market on Saturday,


From the Herald.


'"The Money market worked steadily and easily
throughout the week, at to per cent. as the eX-
treme rates on call loans and 71I@l0 per cent. on
discounts The ruling figure on Governments was
per cent, but the transactions at were more
than exceptional The purchase of two millions OF
bonds by the Government, paid for in two-thirds
national bank notes and one-third legal-tender
having increased the supply Of currency in the
banks, OF no value TO hold as a reserve, leading
stock houses also easily found accommodation in
that description of money below the legal rate The
statement OF the associated banks for the week
ending yesterday makes rather an unfavorable eX-
hbit in the contnued reduction OF the legal reserve
and is against tbs Expectation of any greater
money than &c present exists. Notwithstanding the
gain OF 100000 in coin from the sale Of that amount
Year: 1869

Council. the other evening. that General b. b.
Butler was present, and committee was APP
pointed to conduct him to seat beside the chair
The supposed Butler turned out to be depart
ment clerk unknown to fame, and the commit
tee graVely reported that the General had gone
away,
Year: 1869

The New York World thinks the
common sense" with which General
Grant was credited--if he had nothing
else--is sadly wanting in his adminis-
tration of the Government, thus far.
After telling us he "bids fair to make
common-sense craftsmanship an object
of equal scorn," the editor, in very
bittertei goes on to say:


NSpolitical general appeared to so
little advantage in The war as President
GrantYoes, thus far, at the head of the
goverpmcnt. TO say nothing of the nom
dcscript Cabinet, which went to pieces
as soon as it was launched, he has split
the party that elected him into wrang-
ling factions, who have kept the public
attention absorbed by their quarreling
and caucussing ever since the Inaugural.
tion. Gen. Grants famous "let us have
peace" must be interpreted, like dreams.
by their contraGes. Instead of peace,
he brings perpetual hot water, and his
health is already breaking down under
his disappointment and chagrin. The
Republicans of both Houses are divid-
GU lHlo uIaliI llleh anu uHll-uranC men,
and in both the anti-Grant Republicans
are q majority. In the Senate they are
so large majority that the Democrats
are powerless to assist him, and they
would have swept him under in the
House if the Democrats had not voted
with his friends. He has encountered
this Notifying reverse with every ad-
vantage OH his side.


The World further OH takes it for
granted that, "as the sole prop of
Grants influence is the Federal patron
age, he will be less and less considered
as he progressively parts with this
source Of his power by the bestowal of
the Offices" Hence


His military career will soon cease to
be considered; aud it is difficult to see
what source of influence is to remain to
him by the time Congress rcassembles
next winter His own party are Begin
ming to suspect that even his vaunted
common sense is spurious. Can man
be very bountifully endowed with that
useful quality who has thus squandered
his ascendency! who has turned q ma
jority Of his party against him in the
first three weeks? who has shown him
self to be imbecile and powerless at a
time when he has more advantages for
controlling others than he is ever likely
to possess again y
Year: 1869

Two ladies in Lancaster, Mass, lately
started out with petitions, one for sig
natures asking the Legislature to give
women the privilege of voting; the
other praying the Legislature to allow
women to remain in their present
sphere. The latter ran ahead twenty
six to one. a test vote for the country
would not give so large a majority as
this, but four.titths of the married wo-
men are opposed to voting, and we pre-
sumo at least two-thirds of the single
women. II
Year: 1869

The female wing of the "Bread and
Butter" brigade at Washington is thus
sketchcd by "Olivia," the correspond
cnt Of the Philadelphia Press, from
that city:


The President receives the people be-
tween the hours of three and four p. M,
one brief hour, which, if chopped up
into seconds, would not give the multi
tude the small fraction of an INSTANT
And yet with this fact before their eyes,
men and women, too, go day after day
and sit in the amte-rooms of the man
sion waiting like Micawber for some
thing to turn up" Oh. that loving
mothers and dutilul daughters of this
broad land could be transported to
Washington in the twinklimg of an eye,
and see with their own eyes this scram-
bic for place and power. There are
women enough here already for post
offices, to give us taste of the time,
which we pray God may never come,
when women too shall have the right
to take political mud-bath which only
the divine strength of manhood can en-.
durc, and not be morally shattered for
ever. If by any means the wives and
mothers of this country could have a
bird's-eye view Of the political stage in
Washington, in the madness of the hor-
ror they would stranglc every sorosis,
and with their own hands shut up every
so-called strong minded woman in the
insane asylum, and at the same time
fling the keys of the hateful institution
into the uttermost depths of the sea-
Cleanse the cess pools of politics by 60
ing down into them wrapped up in the
white garments of our womanhoOd p
Never, ye bold and brazen wing of the
sisterhood. Any woman who comes TO
Washington and fights for a postotiice
deserves it as q free gift to help to
amcliorate misfortune because she hap
pencd to be born constitutional mis-
take, for which she is for whole life
time wholly irresponsible.
Year: 1869

The New York Herald in speaking
of the Judicial Reform bill, says that
the bill lately passed by the United
States Senate with the view of amend
ing our judiciary system has been be-
fore the House and adopted In SUBJ
stituto form, the chief points of which
are a provision for the retirement of
judges after they have attained the age
of seventy years, and the empowering
the President to appoint an assistant as
sociate to such functionary, provided
he should not retire. A member NOV
ed to fix the retiring age at seventy
five years, which was defeated on di-
vision. The bill as it appears, is that
the associate justice commissioned by
the Executive is to succeed his senior
when he is removed either by retire.
mcnt or death. We regard this as o
wise and prudent measure on the part
of our legislators although it may ap-
pear little hard on jurists who have
served both the State and the public for
many years to the age of seventy. 1t
looks like parliamentary limiting of
the period of vigor of the human in
tellect. We must, however, bear i'm
mind that the mental strain and corpo-
real wear and tear which ensue from
legal study, bar practice and bench du-
ty in this country are very intense and
exhausting; so it may be that the pre-
sent measure will operate very bencfi-
cially. From the bench of Great Brit
ain judges over seventy years of age
have frequently delivered the most lucid
decisions; but we have also the case Of
a late Baron of the Irish Exchequer,
who, when he had arrived at that time
Of life, would involuntarily doze into
q sleep in the midst of the delivery of
an opinion, and was removed by spe-
cial vote of the House of Lords.
Year: 1869

The civil war is not at an end in ia
pan, according to the news just received
from that country, and the many years
rebellion appears to have lost none of
its vitality in China. We are afraid
these dark-skinncd nations will have to
be reduced to peace by Caucasian in
reference, after all.
Year: 1869

On Thanksgiving day (1SLh inst.) the large barn
on the property OF the heirs of Squire Waugh,
near Kimblevle, in franklin twp, Chester Co.,
was burned to the ground. The men of the place
were engaged in threshing at the time and the
straw about the machine caught fire from heat
ed journal, and the flames spread with sneh rap
Idly that there was no possibility of saving the
building =,


During the progress of the fire the dwelling
house on the property caught fire twice and 1t
was saved with great difficulty and exertion.


The barn was a large building, and contained
all the hay, grain, and other crops raised this
year, on u large farm together with quantity ol
valuable farm implements and machinery. The
loss must of course be very heavy, though VIZ
have not heard it estimated in figures. The place
was occupied by the Misses Waugh.
Year: 1869

A REMARKABLE case occurred in Hartford
Conn.,, while since, which illustrates that
there is time appointed for all to die, and
tnat no care can change that time. A little
chiu ieli out Of the third story window Of
It's latners house, striking upon the pave
ment below. Those who witnessed the acci-
dent supposed that the child would OF course
be Killed, but 1t was picked up entirely unin-
jured, with the exception Of few bruises.
The mother was overjoyed at its narrow es-
cape, and was so fearful Of another fall that
she allowed no one to care for the child but
herself All day long she did not lose sight
oft. But her watchfulne.s did not save its
life, for one morning, while she was in the
room, it fell from bed on which it was play
ing and struck upon the floor, breaking its
neck and dying instantly.
Year: 1869

"A writer in the American Entomologist
argues that bugs experience no pam when
transfxed by pins, and endorses baggage $
theory of the ''divine average" of pleasure
and pain in the universe, illustrating it by the
remark that ''the pain a chicken feels in hav-
ing its neck twisted is not so great as the
pleasure q man feels in eating the chicken
Year: 1869

The New Southern Line OF steamers.


FORTRESS MONROE, Dec. 15.-A meeting of
the Seaboard Horticultural Society was held in
Norfolk yesterday, to take into consideration
the proposition to establish new line of steam
ers from Richmond, via City Point and Norfolk,
to New York, and to subscribe stock thereto.


The Old Dominion line of steamers of New
York have five boats on the line from Richmond,
touching at Norfolk, and seem to be able to
carry all the freight now being shipped. The
advocates of the new line are very bitter against
the Old Dominion Company, claiming that it
was monopoly and that the new line would
effect q reduction of freights, enabling the
farmer to realize more from his produce. On
the other hand, it was argued that the Old Do
minion Company would own the new line before
the expiration of year, and matters would be
made worse. After much discussion resolu-
ton was finally passed recommending the mat
ter to the consideration of all farmers shippers,
and business men generally, and advised
liberal subscription to the stock.


There is to be large sale of condemned Gov
ernment stores here to-day accumulatons since
the war,
Year: 1869

TaE House of Representatives
Tuesday afternoon, without discussion,
and by vote of 143 to IG, passed the
bill to repeal the Tenure-of Office act.
The position of the Senate on this ques-
ton is said to have been a good deal
changed in the reorganization, and
the probabilities are that the repeal
can be carried there also, if vote Is
ever reached.
Year: 1869

WARS THE UsE What's the use
of minding what "they say ?" What's
the use of lying awake Of nights with
the unkind remark of some false friend
running through your brain like fork
ed lightningY What's the use Of got
ting into a worry and fret over gossip
that has been set ahoat to your disad
vantage by some meddlcsomo busy
bodyg These things can't possibly
iniure you, unless, indeed, You take
notice of them, and in combating
them give them character and stand
ing. If what is said is true, set your
self right at once; if II is false, let Il
90 for what it will fetch, until it dies
of inherent weakness.
Year: 1869

state when and where the tax claimed
TO be paid by the afiiant was assessed,
and when, where and to whom paid
and the tax receipt therefor shall be
produced for examination, unless the
afiiant shall state in his affidavit that
It has been lost or destroyed, or that
he never received any; but if the per-
son so claiming the right TO vote shall
take aud subscribe an affidavit, that
he is native born citizen of the Uni
ted States, (or if born elsewhere, shall
state that fact in his affidavit, and shall
produce evidence that he has been
naturalized, or that he is entitled TO
citizenship by reason Of his fathers
naturalization } and shall further state
ia his affidavit that he is, at the time
of taking the affidavit, between the
ages of twenty-one and twenty-five
years; that he has resided in the State
one year and in the election district
ten days next preceding such election,
he shall be entitled to vote, although
he shall not have paid taxes the said
afiidavits OF all persons making such
claims, and the affidavits of the wit
nesses TO their residence, shall be pre-
served by the election board, and at
the close of the election they shall be
enclosed with the list Of voters, tally
list and other papers required by law
to be filed by the return judge with
the prothonotary, and shall remain on
file herewith in the prothonotary's
office, subject to examination, as other
election papers are if the election
officers.shall find that the applicants
possess all the legal qualifications Of
voters, he or they shall be permitted
TO vote, and the name or names shall
be added to the list Of taxables by tho
election officers"


We would entertain hearty admi-
ration for the man who would take
the pains TO get mp an affidavit of that
kind for the blessed privilege Of voting
under difficulties.


Then, in addition, he is subjected
to the right Of challenge by anybody
who chooses TO exercise that right,
and must furnish the same proof as is
now required Of voter when chal-
lenged. And the naturalizcd citizen
must produce his certificate unless be
has been for ten years consecutivclya
voter in that particular district, and
when he votes, the officers must write
or stamp tho word "yoted" on his
certificate.


Heavy penalties ARE attached for
violations Of the law.


Two overseers are TO be appointed
on the petition of FIVE citizens swear
ing that they believe frauds will be
practiced. If the officers refuse to
allow them TO be present, or if they
are driven away from the polls, then,
in a contested election, the iohole boz
is 10 be Mrocn out. What a convent
ent arrangement for the unscrupulous
to defeat the will of the majority.
How easy to get up fight and intim-
idate these peaceful overseers. What
an arrant humbug this law is. In
stead of guarding the elective fran
chise and insuring its pure exercise,
1t affords excellent opportunities and
devises convenient ways and means
to thwart the will of the people and
make the ballotboX, more than ever,
serve the purposes Of unprincipled
politicians. We will, doubtless, have
occasion to refer TO this law again.
For the present, we have neither
space nor time to say more Valley
Spirit.
Year: 1869

he Is the noblest man of whom our
country can boast whether in the work
shop or at the plow, you find the same no.
ble-hearted, free and independent being
And if there is a man in society upon
whom we look with esteem and admiration
it is the independent, sober working man
We care not whether he be farmer, mechan-
ic or common laborer-w whether his tolls
are endured in the workshop, the field or
the coal mine whether his home is in the
backwoods or in the neat cottage-our ad-
miration is all the same. What happy
picture be presents what a reward for
his labor, who, by his own uuaded exer-
tions, establishes for himself a respectable
position in society; who, commencing in
poverty, by his skill and assiduity, sur
mounts every obstacle, overcomes every
prejudice, and finally succeeds in forming
character whose value is enhanced bv
those who come after him. Such a man
we prize as the noblest work of which hu-
man nature is capable-the highest produc-
tion she can boast And let il be borne in
mind by the young working man, just en-
tering upon the stage of active lifezlet it
ever lie at the foundation and be tie nQy-
ing spring of his effoIts-that this
tion be must sr1sin eyery nerve to a
It can be attai nIIssiri6'
try and virtu0d, fail to
find their reward p TheySnsvsr yet we're
exerted in vain, and never will while hon
esty and justice find home in the human
breast. 1t was remarked by an eloquent
writer, that the working man who had no
inheritance but virtue. is the sole king
among men, and the only man among kings.


''He envies not the sons of case,


Nor lord in priDcely hall


But bows before the wise DEGREES


In kindness meant for all.
Year: 1869




''And where is your mother. boy 90


"Ob. she's gone to take home the wash,
sir. Papa don't have so much work as
he used to once, and we're very poor now.
and she has to help him.


"And does it look SO pleasant in here as
you thought it would, my child %


"Oh, yes. it does. do not wonder pa
pa loves to come here SO much, it's so cold
and dark at home. But should think he
would bring r1amma and me and little SIS
How she would laugh to see this fire and
ali those pretty bottles and those flowers
with lights in them. Please sir" and he
earnestly seized the rough hands of the
listener, please sir, tell me why little boys
can't come here with father 90


"For Gods sake don't tell him, Ban
croft" said deep anguished voice. ''He
deems me pure and holy. Heavens what
wretch am My boy, my boy !" and
Willie was clasped in his fathers arms.
''you have saved me. saved ne from earth s
vilest hell. Here, with my hand upon thy
sinless brow, promise never again to
touch the cup have drank so deep. And
my brothers in sin, as you value your souls
salvation, tempt me not to break my VOW
Help me Heaven-help me, men, to live
hereafter that papa may never blush to
take his boy along that if papa goes there
Willie my so too


Silently the door closed sitter them, and
silence dwelt in the saloon behind them
The preacher has been there in cherub form,
and crazy, unholy, loose thought, or light
and ribald jest was hustled. One by one
they stole away, aud many a wife wore
smiles that night, nor did the old bar-ten-
der, even, curse the little one that robbed
him of So many dimes. Too deeply in his
! heart had sunk the voice of the little cherub
preacher.


"Do you not like me, papa? Are you
mad at me ?'' asked Willie, in a hesitating
tone, as they stood few moments on the
pavement, for the scene in the bar room
was an enigma to the child, he half feared
reproof.


81 was thinking what mamma would
like best for supper" said the father.


"On, then, know you amt mad with
me. I'll tell you, get oysters. and crack
ers, and tea. papa, and a candle, too, cause
there is only piece. And please. papa
tell mama not to be mad at me, cause you
know if hadn't gone as did, you would
not have come home yet; and she does
love to have you come home SO much. Oh,
1 feel just like crying, am SO glad"


"And l feel like crying, too" said his
father sOlemDly, and ere midnight he did
cry, and bis wife too, but they were tears
of joy, washing his heart of the dust that
had gathered on its beauty. and hers oi
the sorrow that had draped it as a pail.
Year: 1869

and talk. 1t must be very funny in there
A cold November blast swept around the
corner as he spoke, penetrating his worn
summer clothes, and causing his flesh to
culver and his teeth to chatter.


Il don't believe they'd hurt me if I
should go in a while, I'm euch little boy,
and I'm so cold out here" he said, as he
pushed the door carefully from him. slip
ping in and closing it without breath of
noise. For a moment he was bewildered
with the light and clatLer, and wished he
was away. But the warm air was grale-
full to bis chilled limbs, and finding no one
seemed to notice him he stole toward the
glowing CRATE, and spread out his purple
palms before the blaze. The group of men
that encircled the bar were drinking when
he entered. Soon, however, they set dow q
their glasses and dispersed about the room.
"Hallo," said one in loud tone, as 90
ing to the fire he spied little Willie. What
are you doing here my little fellow Who
are you; what do you want?'


Il don't want anything, only to see what
You do here. My name is Willie NJ. NY


loves to come here, aud it looked SO


indows, thought,


sl9Dg. .foE I
Year: 1869




knees.


You, go. papa. Why can'tI. too q? Do
let me go,''


For moment the heart of the inebriate
seemed to wake from it's sleep, and he took
the child tenderly in his arms and kissed
him as of old then putting him down, he
saiu in kind tone


''YOu must not ask me again to take
you there. It is no place for little boys"
and seizing his hat. he hurried from the
room, murmuring to himself as he paced
the way to the brilliant bar room, land no
place tor men either. Would to God 1
had never gone %


For long time Willie stood where his
few embers which family glowed upon the
hearth, and sat down 10 his little chair, and
resting his head upon his mothers lap,
said earnestly:


Mamma. why isn't that pretty store a
good place for little boys? Papa loves to
go there"


1t was a hard question for the poor heart
broken woman. She had so far kept from
her son the knowledge of his sin. She
could not bear tha. he should look with
shame upon him, or that his gentle and
pure heart should thus commune with so
intense a grief. Kindly she toyed with
his long ringlets for while, then said en-
dearingly:


G.PaDo kpovo bottar than Won vubot ;S
best for his little boy; when you are older
you will learn why he does not wish to take
you."


Then rising, she carefully put her baby
down upon its little bed and put on her
hood and cloak.


Mind the cradle now, Willie I'll be
back soon, and then you shall have some
supper, and a nice fire to cit by too.'' and
taking large basket of ironed clothes, she
went out.


A wealthy mother would have bee n
scared to death at the idea of leaving so
small boy at nightfall, all alone witk>. an
infant to care for, and an open fire to sit
beside. But poor Mrs. M. knew we'll she
could trust Willie with his sister, and as
for burning up, there were not Goals enough
to thaw his blue stiff fingers. No, she did
not fear to go and leave him. for he had thus
been left many time, and always carefully
obeyed her.


And he meant to now but poor little
fellow, his thoughts would wander to that
brilliant corner store whittier he knew his
father always went at evening, and his
brain was busy with eager wOnderings.-
He knew his father loved to go, and he
| knew there must be something there he
liked, for ne never came home till long af-
ter Willie was asleep. What lay behind
those scarlet curtains was a mystery be
sought in vain to unravel.


At length he whispered eagerly as if tc
encourage longing wish, "Papa used to
tell me, if wanted to know anything very
bad, to persevere and 1 would find it out
Now do want to know what makes hin
love to go there so. know there must bt
some pretty things behind those Windows
I shouldn't wonder if it was like fairy


Why can't go ?''


l71z9She temptation to know