smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

What is to Become Of the Negro?


A South Carolina correspondent of
the New York Times gives the follow
ing prophecy of the fate of the negro,
and Of his present condition:


The condition Of the negro race is de-
plorable-deplorable in his utter want
of the faculty of self-gOvernment. My
own individual opinion has been form
ed after goodly portion of life spent
among negroes, and under feeling of
interest in and sympathy for the color
ed people; and l am solemnly impress
ed with the conviction that the colored
race in the South is destined to die out
under the operation of natural causes.
Tho Indian is ceasing from the earth.
He is out of his element in being in
contact and competition with supe-
rior race. So also will it be with the
negro. The negro's best friends are be-
ginning to see that Liberia is his best
hope, and that his emigration thither
should be- encouraged. The next CEN
sus will show that the black race is IA
pidly decreasing. 1t is already percep.
tible here now. Besides, VIC know that
Gen. Howard reported more than mil.
lion dead since the war.
Year: 1869

Southern Virginia and upper North
Carolina furnish the principal supply Of
peanuts for the United States. Fifty
bushels to the acre are easily raised and
find ready market at $3.50 per bushe.
They do best in thin, poor soil, and
require lime only as specific fertilizer.
During the war peanuts were converted
into oil for lamps in the South. The
demand for them is constantly on the
increase, and the varied uses 10 which
they are put render them very profit
able crop. Farmers plant rs much az
fifty acres of peanuts and grow them in
hills about the same distance apart as
sweet potatoes.
Year: 1869

The grasshoppers of the Northwest
have already made their appearance,
preparatory to the usual spring cam-
paign. They have reached a length OF
only three inches up to this period of
time; which will probably be doubled
with the advent of the season of flowers.
Year: 1869

According to the Louisville Courier
Journal, we have forty-thousand civil
officers in the United States with
out reckoning employees in the public
offices, clerks, or deputies who rank as
clerks. Most of the forty thousand, as
well as all tho rest, are useless, and very
many Of them much worse than that.
A large majority of them are employed
in different ways in the enforcement of
the payment of taxes, while, by their
heavy salaries, they increase the amount
of taxation. They are power and a
pest in every community. You encoun-
ter their loathed and hated forms every
where. You stumble against them at
almost every step. If you take ride
in close hack, you will see them peer
ing in through the window. If you shut
yourself up in your house, they will
smell you out and find their way to you.
They have the noses of fox-hounds.-
You can no more hide yourself from
them than you can from death.
Western and Atlantic Railroad.
We have received copy of the re-
port made by the officers of this road for
the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 1868. 1t
gives q complete statement ofthe work.
ings of the road in every department,
and is q document of considerable in
terest.


Total receipts of the year, S943,6O7.24
Working Expenses, 5T,2S7.12
Excess of Receipts, S266,32O.12


Ratio of working expenses to receipts,
70 per cent.


The Superintendent reports reduc-
ton in the number of employees, and
also in the rate of pay since he has had
the management of the road. The re-
ccipts of the road since July last have
not been so large as during the cores
ponding period of last year, but re-
duction in expenses has enabled the
road to make its usual payments into
the Treasury of Georgia.
Year: 1869

w. Let the church proclaim
anew that cardinal truth that no
good cause can be lifted by a
wrong method. We may think
to build churches by trick, bri-
berry or selfish appeal, but we
grossly deceive ourselves. We
may put up gothic piles thereby,
but we shall pull pown the living
stones of the true temple.


Robertson.
Year: 1869

FEARFUL DEATH OF A YoUNG


WIFE.-The wife of Hezekiah
Greenlee, Of Mason county, West


Virginia, was instantly killed,
one day last week, under the
following circumstances In COM
pany with her husband, she was
returning home by a near path
through the woods from a neigh
bor's, where her husband had
been at work during the day.
They were walking hand in hand,
not dreaming of any danger,
when dead tree they had just
passed suddenly fell, brushing
the shoulder of Greenlee and
striking his wife on the top of the
head crushing her to the earth
in one solid mass, breaking every
bone in her body, so that her
remains could not be recognized
as those Of a human being.
Strange to say, Mr.. Greenlee
was not. injured in the least,
further than being stunned for a
few seconds. The evening was q
calm'one and it is supposed that
the tree, which was rotten at the
roots, gave way from its weight.
Mrs. G. had been married a little
less than six weeks.
Year: 1869

Cure FOR SHEEP-oHAsINa DoGs.-W.
+. in the field, says: ga large deer
hound Of my fathers "a prize winner at
Birmingham with not being well looked
after got into the habit of chasing sheep,
and killing them, too, whenever he had an
opportunity. He was sharply corrected
and kept chained up, but when again TAX
en- out be was as bad as ever. Ny father
Z happily remembered how he had cured a
large retriyer of the same sin, thirty-fve
! years before, and we have, 1 am pleased
TO say. made perfect cure of the deer
( hound. After one of his chases he was
taken up to the sheep far, securely tied
between two old Scotch rams, and then
let loose in the yard. No sooner we're
they let loose. than all three, being good
jumpers. cleared the wall, and the dog
was dragged about the park till all three
were dead tired. The poor fellow was ta-
ken home. and ! can assure yon sheep
chasing is the very last thing Of all others
that he ever thinks Of
Year: 1869

HE FINGER Na.-The selection of
fingers for the ring is esteemed by many
as a matter Of no little Importance. In
fact, it forms course Of study. The in
dex, or first finger next the thumb, is the
most mfjestic; it is that which the He
brews call the finger of God, and is uni
yersally the indicative sign 1t figures in
advertising columns on sign-posts it is
delineated issuing from clenched fist, to
point out the road to follow; and the lover
places it on his lips to command silence
and circumspection. The gods of anti
guilty wore the ring of authority as their
imposing phalanx, an evidence of their
omnipotence. This example is still imita-
ted by the pope, cardinals, and bishops.
The second finger from the thumb is the
drum-major of the hand, and, like child
rem Of q commanding height, it seems as
If its body had grown at the expense of
Its mind. The favorite and popular fin
ger has been at all times the third from
the thumb, and the origin of this is SO
curious that it will bear repetition. 1t is
maintained that an artery leads thence d.
rectiy to the heart, and it is by right of
these relations that marriage rings are
placed on it. Old apothecares used to
mix their prescriptions in presence of their
customers with this privileged finger, to
indicate that no hurtful substance was
present. The thumb had had its day ot
glory, when it was ordered to open the
touchpan, or take the cartridge by the ait
OF the first finger. Formerly, soldiers ant
physicians wore their rings upon thu
thumb. 1t was thought that this ring
which was usually very large, contained
suitable cordials to disinfect a sick room
or re-animate wounded soldier.
Year: 1869

hnrp conferred. at its annual conference week
or two ago, the degree of NJ. d. upon Madame
Kaschewarow, the first female candidate for
this honor who had presented herself before
dean IL was received with an immense storm
of applause, which lasted for several minutes.
The ceremony OF investing her with the in
sigma of her dignity being over, her fellow
students and new colleagues lifted her upon
chair and carried her, with triumphant shouts,
through the hall. But at this moment Madame
Lucca was espied among the audience, and such
was the students 6ckleness that the lady Doctor
had to yield her elevated seat to the popular
singer. The primG donna not only remained
in undisputed possession Of the extemporiSed
throne, but was carried upon 1t to her carriage


whilst the new doctor had to find what comfort


she could In her diploma,
Year: 1869

HORTICULTURAL AND PoMoLoGICAL So
c1ETY.-A meeting of the Executive Com
mittee of this Society will be held st their
rooms over the office of the Arlington Life
Insurance Company this evening at half
past 7 o'clock. As the society is now
making arrangements for On exhibition in
connection with tho State Agricultural Be-
ciety during the coming fall, much work
is required to be done by the committee,
and it is hoped that there will be full a.
tanI apca
Year: 1869

SUDDEN DEATH OF A GERMAN.-Jacob
Rotabagger, on old gentleman of German
parentage, for many years resident Of
hanover, died in that county on Sunday
last. lie was sitting in chair at the house
of friend when death came suddenly and
took him away. Half an hour before. he
was apparently in excellent health. The
deceased was 8 native of Pennsylvania.
Year: 1869

The WEATHER AND VEGETATIoS.-The
frost of yesterday morning, and the clear,
cold weather last night, has raised appre-
tensions that the fruit, which had ad-
vanced very much, would be killed. We
made inquiries Of several persons from the
surrounding country, and learned from
them that though the vegetation was very
forward, it was not yet in condition to be
Injured by frost.
Year: 1869

A tadpole confined in darkness would
never become frog and an infant being
deprived of heavens free light would only
grow intsa shapeless idiot, instead of a
beautiful and reasonable being. Hence
in the deep, dark gorges of the Swiss Va
lois, where the direct sunshine never reach
es, the hideous prevalence of idiocy start
les the traveller. 1t is strange melan-
choly idiocy. Many citizens are incapa-
bic of any articulate speech; some are
deaf, 5othe are blind, some labor under
all these priyatiens, and all are misshap-
en- in almost every part of the body. l
Believe there is in all places marked
difference in the healthiness of houses ac-
cording to their aspect with regard to the
sun, and those are the healthiest, other
things being equal, in which all the rooms
are, during some part of the day, fully
exposed to the direct light. Epidemics
attack inhabitants on the shady side of
the street, and totally exempt those on
the other side; and even. in ep,demics
such as agie, the morbid influence is Of
ten thus partial in its labors.
Year: 1869

Softly, 80 softly the snow comes down
Between my window and the far-offtown


There floats veil of spotless white.
AS though the earth this morning were bride
And her fond lover fain would hide


All impcrfections out Of sight
Adown the garden paths d tracklcss line
Of snow lies soft, and white, and fine


And never in the summers glow
Did trailing inc, or blossom-laden tree,
Luring the singing bird and banded bee,


Hold fairer bloom than this sweet snow.
The pansies look up in their hoods Of white,
And the tall fir trees make kingly sight,


In cloaks of ermine, standing in a row
While the brown 'broideiy of the summer vine
Has changed to floss and velvet, and gives no


sign


Of leaf and tendril underneath the snow.
Still further on see a little mound,
lis tiny length by snow-wrcaths softly crowned
Above, below, so stainless and so white
And shaightway all the wondrous things abe vi
By my hot tears are swiftly blotted out


For God miracles have no sight.
The CO.. erlet of snow is cold and chill
The springs soft sunlight will not fill


My blossom with new life again
God if could take her from the storm,
And in my bosom hide her sweet and warm,


How free my heart from agony and pain
Year: 1869

On Friaay afternoon, and in the interval
between the heats Of O race at Prospect
Park, MIR. Bonner drove Dexter around the
track for the qualification of the visitors
He only put him to his speed for quarter
Of mile, which he trotted i'm "a seconds,
purposing to send him around full mile
after the race was over. While being led
around the field in which the track stables
are located, Dexter suddenly broke away
from the boy who held him, and although
the latter stuck nianfully to him. he got free
from his control, and dashed off Mt full
speed around the field. Alarm and conster-
nation prevailed among the spectators, lest
the noble horse, who is the equine idol of
the public, should injure himself result
which appeared inevitable. Galloping Wild
ly in the direction Of the stables, he dashed
with such tremendous force with his head
and chest against one of the doors that he
split it in two, and then turning of, he
ran against the posts supporting
the roof of the covered walk around the
stables, and broke the snlky into atoms
Fortunately at this juncture lie was stop
ped. and on examination was found to have
escaped without cut or bruise of any kind.
Mr.. Bonner Immediately ordered him to be
harnessed to another sulky, and taking the
reins, drove him on TO the track. An
nouncipg his intention of sending him
around two miles. several experienced
horsemen went into the judges s.and 10
time him. Being well excited by his break
away, Dexter went off at a clipping pace,
trotted the first mile in 2:21, and then. MIR.
Bonner Gazing him up on the second time
rourd. he completed the two miles in 2:46
The best judges express their conviction
that the wonderful liking of the Trotting
Turf" is going faster at the present time
than he ever did in his life, and the public
may prepare TO hear, some fine morning,
that he has gone below his own nnparallel-
ed fast record of 2:17l.
Year: 1869

The vesseI engaged in shipping iron
ore from the Lake Superior mines ara in the
habit Of throwing overheard fifteen or
twenty tons when they get ont of port into
the lake. The captains complain that their
this criminally wasteful way to ''get even"
with the shippers. -
Year: 1869

We learn by private letters that all Bangor
is wild with excitement. 1t pervades all classes
and the principal topic OF conversation in par
lor and basement, store and shop, in fact, every
where in the lumber city Is "That Man"
Women dare not venture out after dusk with
out male attendant or in squads of three or
four. The army overcoat with cape is rapid


ly going out of style as men do not wear IL for
fear of arrest, as it is the dress of "That Man"
1t seems that man has recently infested the
streets who exposes his person to women and
girls and taps at the windows of houses He
has defed all attempts of the police to arrest
him and the feetest runners in many fair
chases have failed to capture him. He seems
omnipresent, appearing at the extremes of the
city and on both sides of the river ON the same
evening. The Irish servant girls believe him
to be something supernatural, and they all de-
clare that he vanishes out of sight; one said
that he flew up in the air like crow, and
colored boy who pursued him stated that he
sank into the ground. The most extravagant
stories are told of him. There has been moth
ing like it since the man with the wheelbarrow
travelled the Portland & Kennebec Railroad.
We anxiously await further development. b.
Year: 1869

THE SUEZ CANAL.-The news that the
first merchant vessel that ever passed through
the Suez canal was wrecked ON the coral reefs
of the Red Sea is discouraging. The danger
of navigating this body Of water has been an
ticipated, but it was hoped that the worst ap-
prehensions would be SO speedily realized.
But the resources Of modern science are suf-
ficent to meet even this difficulty, and though


the expense may be great, the Red Sea can


be surveyed and buoyed so as to be compara-
lively safe. Many great enterprises have ap-
parently failed at the outset. No one has
forgotten how many times the cable broke
and how often the nations were disappointed
before the telegraphic communication was
established across the Atlantic. The first
wire laid between Washington and Baltimore
had to be taken up. 1t is certainly too early
to predict the failure of the Suez route to the
East Indies after the wreck of a single vessel
Year: 1869

No REDUCTION OF THE ARMY Accord
ing to the report of the Secretary of War the
present nominal force of the army of the
United States is 81, ,234 enlisted men, but as


only twO-thirds are reckoned upon as in ac-


tual service, the number of men is 34,S22.-
Gen. Sherman argues in his report that there
cannot safely be any reduction in this force
| on account of the necessity of troops for pre-
serving peace on the plains and in Alaska.
This is something of a disappointment. The
army cost some forty million dollars during
the last fiscal year, and it has been hoped,
not unreasonably, that the new "Quaker In
dian policy" would obviate the necessity of
the employment of any more men in the mil
itary service than before. the rebellion-a
number very much less than now appears on
the muster rolls. But the country has
great confidence in Gen. Sherman, and his


recommendations will be regarded as worthy


of attention. A standing army of fifty thou
sand men seems excessive here, but we have
to congratulate ourselves on our happy situa-
tion relative to European powers. France
has nearly million men under arms, besides


a further contingent force of 100000. The


cost of supporting the armies of Europe av-
erages S215 head for the entire population.
With these facts before us, our burden seems
comparatively light. That it is not absolute
ly so we have only ourselves to blame. If the
Indians had been treated by us as they have
been in the British provinces, they would not
be our foes.
Year: 1869

The aveling public, which in these days
of railroad and other facilities includes ev-
erybody and "the rest of mankind" is always
deeply interested to know Of each and every
improvement intended to promote its hap
piness or comfort while ON the road, and there
are few things more conducive thereto than


wel-ordered, nicely arranged eating house,
where the food is well cooked and nicely serv-
ed, with the time table so arranged th 9


may eat without being in state Of C


excitement lest the train leave e'er he lie


opportunity of boiling his food o; scalding


his throat with the cup of tea or coffee with


which he fain W ould quench his thirst. The


P. S. G. P. railroad have nearly completed {
first-class restaurant at the Kennebunk sta
tion and New Years Day will probably see il
in running order and ready to accommodate


its patrons.


1t is so situated that one can step from the
cars almost directly into the door, while the
heavy projection from the. roof nearly covers


the space between the cars and restaurant,


that exposure to rain and snow is effectual


prevented. The room itself is admirably


adapted to the purpose for which it is intend


ed. The table, which is oval in shape, is COW


cred with white marble and so arranged as to
afford accommodation TO large number
The room is fitted up with marble wash


stands and is finished throughout in neat
ard attractive manner. The kitchen in the


rear is model of ingenious and systematic
arrangement. 1t is to be under the charge


of George G. Moore who win spare no pains
to make it first class railroad eating house.
Year: 1869

for the first time the substantial failure
OF his scheme for my Humiliation.


He remained silent few minutes after


l had finished speaking Then he drew
long breath-or wood have done so


but tor the pain which caught him in
the middle of the inspiration-and said ::


''Well, perhaps it is better so. Yes. |
am glad of it. | thought Carlton found
you, and had kept the affair secret, to
spare your feelings. Well, it is better
So l suppose, now, that you can afford
to overlook what | did, after seeing me
in this state


again assured him of my entire for
glveness, although, of course, put it in
words which would save his pride as
much as possible. We separated soon
after, for my duties would not allow me
to spend much time with him, even if it
had been desirable, and besides he had
his own friends TO look after him. Poor
fellow. | never saw him again. He
died that night, and he was sent home
i'll box very like the one he had screw
cd me into years before.


| suppose my narrative would be more
conventional, if | could say that | ulti-
mately married Miss Bessie Carlton, and
that we lived happily ever afterward
But l never declared my passion, either
as an undergraduate or as Il graduate. !
see now thar our liking for each other
our love, if you like the word better
was only childish passion. and after a
time it burned out. know not how.
still admire her in a reasonable way, and
when | meet her now and then, she has
always friendly word for me: but she
married u man much richer than | can
ever hope to be, and lives very happily
with him, for all know to the contrary.
She will hardly guess, even i'll reading
what | have written, how much | suffer-
ed for her sake, one night, in box
Samuel BlOttel', IN Ortober GGLuIY
Year: 1869

An intoxicated New Yorker was knocked
down by the cowcatcher of an engine in Hart
ford, Conn, on Monday, and the engine and Ten
der passed over him. The train was stopped,
and the conductor hastened back to pick up the
Gead body, but the drunken fellow was found to
be very lively and outside the track, having by
some means been thrown out between the ten
der and baggage car, and the first words he
spoke were'-'lll make you pay for scratching
my ankle in this way"
Year: 1869

Despatch to The EUening Telegraph.


BOSTON, Oct. 16.-A few evenings since a MUIR
derous attempt made upon the life of one of the
Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame in Cam
bridge, by an unknown person, who hurled rock at
her through window, the missile just missing the
intended VICTIM The rock is supposed to have been
thrown in the interest OF party opposed to the in
stitution, which has recently been established in q
strong Protestant community


Quick Time.


The steamship Samaria, Captain Martyr, arrived
at this port yesterday evening, making the quickest
run, for this time of year, which has ever been made
She made the trip from the Irish coast in days and
% hours


United States Steamers.
The United States steamer Tallapoosa, from New
York, arrived here yesterday with the United States
steamer lIonengahea in tow.
Year: 1869

The scene OF the story is laid in the romantic
region Of Estremadura, where the spirit OF the old
knight-erants and OF the mountain chiefains still
survives among the wild race who people portion
of that country. Mr.. BRYANT has bestowed his
best efforts upon this work, and we shall be much
mistaken if it does not create profound interest
among the readers Of THE LEDGER. IL