smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1862

Some time ago. private in the 18th
Indiana regiment was tried by court
martial for deserving his post, and found
gully, the punishment for which is death.
His execution was deferred for some time,
and he was kept in a painful state of sus
pense. At last the time was fixed for his
execution, and five regiments were drawn
up i'll line to witness it, while file of
twelve men were in advance to execute
the sentence of death by shooting him.
The prisoner was led forward blindfold-
ed, and the usual words of preparation
and command we're given in low measur-
ed tones by the officer in command. Du.
ring the interval between the commands,
''Take aim and fire" and before the
the last word was given, horseman rode
rapidly up the road, waving in the air a
paper. which was understood by all pree
ent to be reprieve. Covered with dust
and perspiration, he rode hurriedly up to
the officer in command and delivered to
him what really proved to be reprieve.
The shout ''reprieve" fell upon the poor
soldiers ear, which was already strained
to the utmost in anticipation of hearing
the last final word that was to usher his
soul into the presence of his Creator; it
was too much for him, and he fell back
upon his coffin, apparently dead. The
bandage was removed from his eyes, but
reason had taken its flight, and he was a
hopeless maniac. He was discharged
from the army and sent home to his friends.
His death had really never been intended,
but it was deemed necessary for the good
order and discipline of the army to make
an impression upon not only himself but
the whole brigade for that purpose, the
forms of the execution were regularly
gone through with, in presence of five
regiments, and the reprieve arrived in
good time, as it was intended, ,-PAizndez.


phia Press.
Year: 1862

AN HONEST L1FE.-The poor pittance
of seventy years is not worth being a
william for. What matters it if your
neighbor lies in a splendid tomb Sleep
you with innocense. Look behind you
through the track Of time A vast des-
ert lies open in retrospect wearied with
years and sorrow, they sink from the
walks of men. You must leave them
where they fall and you are to 90 a lit
tie further, and you will find eternal rest.
Whatever you may have to encounter be-
tween the cradle and the grave, every mo-
ment is big with events, which come not
in succession, but bursting forcibly from
a revolving and unknown cause, fly over
this orb with diversified influence.
Year: 1862

TIaE.-Time wears slippers Of list, and
his tread is noiseless. The days come
softly dawning, one after another; they
creep in at the window, their fresh NOR
ming air is grateful to the lips as they
pant for it; their music is sweet to the
ears that listen to it; until, before We
know it a whole life of days has posses
sion of our citadel, and Time has taken
us for his own.
Year: 1862

ITO Graziers let me say that they loose money


L every year by being forced to sell the
stock on approach of winter, for want of chea
feed to winter on. now offer you the use
two machines which call


GATHERER g. PITCHER, OR ELEVATOR
which will reduce the expense of putting up hay
Year: 1862

On Sunday evening, q few hours after
sunset, while we were sitting in our tents
in company with several other specials, one
of our number laying bis hand upon our
knee, suddenly said TO us, "Hark what
is that z" Ia second all had ceased
talking and every ear endeavored to catch
the sound which had attracted the attent.
ion Uf bis comrade. There was silence for
moment, and then there was waited a.
cross the air the music of that glorious old
Anthem Old Hundred, in which ii seemed
thousand voices were participating


All of US Immediately sought the open
air, and there stood until the last note
died away upon our ear. Never before
have We heard anything so magnifeently
grand as that same Old Hundred, sung by
the soldiers of the Union army on the
plains of Yorktown.


Tue air was made vocal. The woods
reverberated with the mighty strain. Be-
meath the canopy Of heaven the soldier
gazed upward iuto the starlight sky, and
sung unto God from whom all blessings
flow, an anthem that stirred in the heart OF
man the best and holiest emotions The
incident was a sublime one either for the
poet or artist Yorktown Correspondent Of
Inquirer
Year: 1862

Farmer Nelson was getting restless he
talked Of moving West he wanted 10 do
better, he said. Yon own one Of the best
Vermont farms, said a neighbor. They
say so, reioned the farmer. Good schools
here for your children, said the neighbor.
Don't want any better, reioned the farmer.
Nice minister and pretty fair church, said
the neighbor. Firstra:e, rejoined The
farmer. Wife and children happy and
eontented, said the neighbor. No fault to
hnd, rejoined the farmer. Then why don't
you stay where you are asked the neigh.
Dor. Well answered the farmer IL seems
us if could do better on some of that
rich land out West. / supposed Lot
thought so, answered his neighbor, when
he chose his land because it was well water.
ed everywhere that fixed bis choice. It
was nothing to him that the men Of the
land were sinners before the Lord exceed
ingly the moral miasma OF the place did
not enter into his calculations, And
what was the consequence 1t is true be
grew rich and became a great man, bat it
was doue at terrible cost His children
gol tant from the proAgacy Of the people,
which neither they nor their descendants
ever got rid Of: the ruin of the place ruined
him aud the old man stood at last like one
blasted, mourning over the shame Of biz
family Trying to do better Tor this world
mag cost too much.
Year: 1862

ii e was perfect master Of q difficult art,


which he had acquaired by great labor,


and which he practiced to do the end of


his life. In clearneSs, fullness, life aud
energy, bis style has never been surpassed.


The only fault is that he sometimes has too
much Of the forid, Asiatic style, aud that
his metaphors, which are abunda I, are
not always consistent with propriety and
good taste. But this 81 fault Of the Latin
language, this abundance of metaphor, and
one Of the main reasons why Latin is some
times difficult to understand, and often very
difficult 10 translate. Clcero's best FORA
tlons are Inferior to uothing that the Greeks
have left, and in some respects think that
they are superior. lie handled the matter
that was before him with the most per-
feet skill He could confuse thing, if he
chose, and make a web of sophiStry which
it is almost impossible to s4ntaDgle. =
What he wished TO make clear he could
state in the simplest, plainest way, and he
generally did in short sentences His way
of telling a story or an anecdote is the best
that could be he does not weary US ; he
moves on quick, and let's us off before We
are tired, which an unskillfnl teller Of
stories never does He could be humor'
ous, sarcastic, ironical, satirical and when
he was malignant his mouth was most foul,
and his bite most venomous. His argume.


tatve power, his way of handling given


facts, and getting out Of them all that he


wanted for bis purpose is really admirable,
and more admirable than is easy to imi.
tate.-LOag's OratiOns Of Cicero
Year: 1862

Wife and mother are You tired, and out
of patience with your husbands and your
childrens demands upon your time and
attention Are you tempted to speak out
angry feelings to that faithful but perhaps,
sometimes, needless or exacting husband OF
yours, or TO ScOld and fret tc those beauti.
ful ones ? Do you, groan and say what q
fool | was to leave my futher where
lived in case and quiet Are you, by the
reason of the care and wearness Of body,
that wiIehood aud motherhood must bring,
forgetlul Of their comfort aud their joys
Oh wife and mother, that if a stroke should
smitc your husband, and lay hlm lUw-whHt
if your children should be snutched from
your arms, aud your bosum-what if there
were no true, strong heart for you TO lean
upon what If there were no soft little in
nocents, to nestle in your arms, and love
you or to receive your love ? How would
it be with you theuY BE patient aud kind,
dear wife. BE unwearyiug and long suf.
fering, dear mother, for you know not how
long you may tarry with them. Let there
be nothing for you to remember, which will
ring your heart with remorse if they leave
you alone. Let there be nothing for them
but sweetness, love unutteraJie if you are
called to leave them 10y tie way. B. pat
lent, be pitfnI, be tender to them all Tor
death will step sooner or later between them
and you. And OBJ what would yon do if
you should be doomed 10 sit solitary and
forsaken through years and years B1
happy as you ure even with all your trials;
for, believe me, thou wife oi loving pure
husband, there is no lot in life 50 blessed
as thine own
Year: 1862

AMI MY LA MorD'.on woman thus
writes to female friend in New York
State While you Of The North and south
have gone to the killing each other Oh, We
Of Salt Lake ere populatina she county
with extraordinary rapidily. One Of our
elders recently bad 40 less than niue cbild-
ren born to bin 10 ope wosk
Year: 1862

RAILROAD REpAIRs.-We have good au
thority for saying that the Sacramento VAL
ley Railroad will be repaired from Brighton
to Poverty Ridge some time next week, and
the whole Road to Front street will be re-
paired, and ready for business, in about
one month,
Year: 1862

How TO BE HAPPIER.--Said venera. q.
BILE farmer, eighty years ofage, to a rel
ative who lately visited him:


81 have lived on this farm over half
century. l have no desire to change
my residence as long as I live on earth.
| have no desire to bo any richer than
l am now. 1 have worshipsd the God
of my fathers with the same people for
more than forty years. During that
period have rarely been absent from
the sanctuary on the Sabbath, and have
never lost but one communion season
1 have never been confined to my bed
with sickness a single day.-The blcs
sings Of God have been richly spread
around me, and made up my mind
long ago that if 1 wished to be any hap
pier, l must have moro religion"
Year: 1862

Hold on to your tongue, when you are
just about to swear, lie, or speak harsh
ly, or use on improper word.


Hold on to your hand when you are
about to strike, pinch, scratch, steal or
do any improper act. sHtt.',asfr


Hold on to your foot when you are on
the point of kicking, raining away from
study or pursuing the path of error,
shame or crime.


Hold on to your temper when you are
angry, excited, or i'm posed upon, or 9th
ers are about you.


Hold on to your heart, when evil as
sociates seek your company, and invite
you to join in their games, mirth and
revclry.


Hold on to your good name, at al
times, for it is more valuable chan gold
high places, or fashionable attire.


Hold on to the truth, for it will serve
well, and do you good, throughout eter
nifty.
Hold on to your virtue--it is abOv,
all price to you, in all times and pla
ces.


Hold on to your good character, 70
it is and ever will be, your best wealth
Year: 1862

DucoNTENTED WITH EMPLoYMENT.--
A young man who commences his life
with not liking his business, has no very
promising prospect before him. Let
such one believe himself to be under
the immediate influence of"an evil eye,
aud set about releasing himself at once
by a resolute refusal to entertain any
thoughts but such as appertain to duty,
clearly before him, and how to do il
we'll aud honestly. 1t is a great mis-
take to be pre- possessed with fanciful ad
vantages to be derived from any other
calling than the one which circumstan-
ccs have combined to impose, as an in
PRODUCTION to the busy responsibilities
Of manhood. How many have made
shipwreck Of tho faircst hopes by feebly
giving way to the delusion of being
meant for better things than keeping
shop. To be above ones business is 1
mean pride that has its origin in indo.
lence, betokens diShonorable career
and an end in bankruptcy, if not ir
something worse.
Year: 1862

we'll calculated to general forces to meet success
He was prominent candidate, in the Douglas
Democratic convention last fall for sheriff. His
loss is sincerely mourned by large circle of ac-
uuaiptances.
Year: 1862

Coon UeH Fos OnApr. - Nearly
all the expense and trouble Of grub
bing stumps may be avoided By Q
very simple contrivance. Round
each stump trench should be dug,
six or eight inches wide, and eight
or ten inches deep. This 10 filed
with wheat chaff, into which q fire.
stick is inserted. Nothing else is ne.
cessary. The chaf smothers away,
burning out the entire stump to the
depth Of the trench, quito beyond
tho reach Of the plow, and leaving q
quantity Of good charcoal behind. -
Il is said that good charcoal could
be made in any quantity by covering
the logs with chaf, and inserting a
firecoal. Excellent lime has also
been made in the same manner. Il
is hardly necessary 10 mention that
these operations must be performed
during the heat of the summer, when
ths wood or lime stone is dry, and
a calm day must be chosen in order
that the chaff will not be blown away
by the wind.
Year: 1862

To MAKE SUPERIOR VrNEeAR AND
PIoKLEs.-The following receipt was
communicated by Thomas Armor
to the Scientific american, Our
readers who desire good and
wholesome article would do we'll
to preserve the directions here given:


ITO one gallon OF soft water add
pint OF sugar or sorghum molssas,
stir oil well, and then add nearly a
gallon Of fresh ripe tomatoes. Set
tho vessel aside, and in q few days
you will have the sourest pickles
you ever tasted, and the best vine
gar.
Year: 1862

THE PAY OF SoLpIERs.-Senator HALE says
frequently and justly, that while retrenchment
in the abstract is universally commended, 1t b
impossible to propose any particular retrepch-
ment, without being told that 1t is the wrong
place to begin at, and that he has never yet
found what was admitted to be the right place.


We are certainly well disposed to support
almost everything in the way of economy, but
we must make one exception, and that Is, the
pay Of soldiers already enlisted Enlistment is a
contract, binding in all It's terms, Us well upon
the Government, as upon the soldier. For the
future, Government can Off such terms as II
chooses. But the past is (morally) irrevoca
BILE. The pay Of officers may bs reduced, be-
cause they have the option Of resigning. But
soldiers cannot resign. They must serve out
their agreed period, and in turn, they can claim
as matter Of contract, the performsnce of oil
the conditions upon which they enlisted.
Year: 1862

The time for delusions has gone by, or if,
by chance, We delude ourselves, we cannot
delude either the enemy we are fighting, or
The world. 1t is utterly impossible for us to
maintain many months longer, the present war
upon the present scale. We must conquer, or
give II up by summer at farthest, and 1t is not
certain that we shall be allowed to 60 on as
of foreign powers.


The Southern people understand all this as
we'll as we do, and whatever may be their dis.
trees doubtless great,) they are encouraged to
endure it and brace up against it, by the hope
OF an early relief There is not the slightest
reason to suppose that they will succumb from
any feeling Of dependency a, to the future.
II they can only bear their present sufferings,
the future looks bright 10 them. They will
not give up in despair, or yield to any ything
short OF q physical power which they cannot
resist.


II we have this physical power in our armies,
adequate to put down this rebellion before
snmmer comes and at the same time to pro-
teci, or not to disturb slavery, SO much the
more satisfactory to those who are attached to
that institution, or fear the consequence Of med
ding with 1t. That, however, has been tried a
good while, and with very poor success Those
who insist that nothing else shall be tried, take
very great responsibility, and should be very
sure of their ground. If this war fails, the mer
in whose hands il fails, will reap all the oduu
which their failure will deserve, and probably
a good deal more.
Year: 1862

JEFF. THOMPSON The latest Federal
intelligence of this gentleman was that he
was in New Orleans disguised as negro
The Mobile Tribumss correspondent says {:
awe may look for an order from Buffers
Office commanding all negroes within his
lines to be washed, for the purpose Of de.
tecting the ubiquitous JEFF"
Year: 1862

BALTIaoRE Iau.saay Nay ]. 1862.
The regular letter from Old Point is received, but
Il contains nothing excepfthe announcement Of new
arrangement by the Harbor.Master there, by which
all merchant vessels required to report en- their
arrival to the Captain of tho PORT and they not
allowed to leave without PERMISSION nor at all until
after dark or before daylight There is not word in
tho letter in reference 10 anything else.
Year: 1862

REBELS BEFORE THE COURT OF CLAIMS
The motion made by Charles Gibson, Soli-
citOr of the Court Of Claims, to strike from
the docket the case of Charles VS.. the United
States, on the ground that on account of his
being q citizen of seeded State he was to
be regarded, in the absence of proof to the
contrary, as being himself in rebellion
against the Government, and as rebel,
had forfeited all claim against the Govern
ment, will be sustained. The effect OF this
decision will be to abrogate one-tbird of the
claims against the Government now pend
ing, and will also have prospective action
throwing npOn claimants the onus OF proof
to satisfy the Court Of their loyalty
Wash. Cor.
Year: 1862

THE FLOOD AT YUBA CITY.-The late freshet
was as proportionably extensive at Yuba
City as elsewhere. and left only three houses
out Of water. The damage done was not
so great as at the previous foods, and the
County Court House is said to be actually
improved by it. The food Of the 9th of De-
cember did not get inside of the building,
but so affected the outer walls they settled.
leaving the floors and partitions up SO high
that everything was out of shape, and the
building supposed to be ruined quite ; but
the last food got inside and caused the
floors to settle so much that the building is
now about even and can be made as good
as new, which is getting some good from
q great evil.-[Marysville Appeal.
Year: 1862

SECRETARY CHASE's REPoRT.-A New
York letter of December 10th thus alludes
to the report of the Secretary of the Trea-
sury:


The long agony of financial circles is
over, and the report of the Secretary of the
Treasury is at hand. 1t relieves the appre-
tensions of our most cautious bankers, who
feared Mr.. Chase would recommend an un-
limited issue of demand notes, the effect of
which would be as seen in the history of
French assignats, Continental money and
irredeemable bank money the world over,
to produce ultimately public distress. The
report happily relieves all apprehensiOns on
that score, as Mr.. Chase evidently objects
to these demand notes as much as the bank
ers themselves, though all the spectators
in the country are in favor of them, as the
the obvious tendency would be TO give us
glorious good times for six months or year
ending up with terrible smash when the
day of settlement came. The recommends
tOn that he really makes. for the Govern
ment to furnish currency to the different
banking associations. rather puzzles finan-
ciers here, and was, no doubt, not intended
to be very definite. 1t is evident that so far
as Mr.. Chase is concerned, the measures
OF the various bills which he will urge for
the adoption of Congress, in relation to this
matter, will be founded upon sound finan-
cial principles. SO that we shall leave as lit
tie as possible on the future. We shall
doubtless have all the advantages OF great
National Bank without many of its disad-
vantages. At least, the objection to the
old United States Bank, that it was an en-
gine of political influence, will not be ap-
plcable 10 the new method of remOdeling
the currency Of the country.
Year: 1862

THE WAR AND SLAvERY.-The st. Louis
News, of December 10th, has the following
very sensible remarks on the proposition
for war of emancipation:


The pain with which we have watched
the attempt by radical partisans at the
North to make this great war for the Union
a fierce and revengeful war for emanCipa-
tion, and the earnestness with which we
have endeavored to combat the scheme
are not inspired by any sentimental love
for African slavery, nor by any sensitive
regard for the rights of the South, but by
sincere love for the Union, and desire to
prevent the intrusion into the struggle of
elements that will embarrass its friends aud
leopard its existence. We desire to let sa-
very take care Of itself-tO leave it to cir
cumstances. If it is TO perish in the course
of this war, let it perish, and the consequent
ces be upon the heads of those who imper-
lied it by the commencement of a wantOn
revolt. But we would not have its over
! throw made an object Of the war, because
that would add to the difficulties and en-
barrassments of the struggle, by uniting the
! South and dividing the North, and render
! ing the unltimate issue uncertain; and in
addition to this. it would leave on our
hands, after the war, q question not inferior
in magnitude and Importance to the war it.
| self-the question of what TO do with four
million ignorant barbarous freed Africans.
Year: 1862

Just one year ago, while the financial and


business community was cOnvulsed with panic


for the present and apprehension for the future,


the agricultural interest of the entire country


stood still from sympathetic paralysis, hesitating


ard doubtful of the propriety of growing
another large crop while enc Of bOunteOus pro-
fusion was already on hand, and when the
ing up. The future seemed then as doubtful
for agriculture as it was for business and
finance. This pause was broken by the voice
Of the Northern press exhorting the farmers to
plant corn. 1t Iung over the country from
thousand presses, which set forth, by fact and
figure, tie certainty Of vast European de-
mand, the uncertain duration Of the
impending conflict with Rebellion, the
wasteful consumption likely to follow the organ
ization OF an immense army and the certain
destruction of crops under the tramp of hostile
armies. To the credit of American farmers it


must be ,aid that they not only saw and rec
ognized the force Of these arguments, but
obeycd with national alacrity the exhortaton
to plant moro corn and SOW more grain than
they had ever done. To the credit Of the
American press it must DO said that the warn.
ing which it gave 80 opportunely has proved as
correct as it was urgent. Every prediction
which it made year ago, touching the foreign
demand for breadstu1s has been SO literally
fulfilled that in the face of military emer-
gency such as 10 other Government was ever
compelled to encounter, the national supply Of
corn, instead of diminishing has actually increased.
BY thus scattering fact and warning broadcast
over the land, at moment when all other or
gans of opinion gave an uncertain sound, the
nation has been invigorated and sustained, new
acres OF untold extent have been planted, thou
sands Of barns are groaning under their abund-
ant products, and only as the rebellion is at its
last extremity does the influx Of foreign coin
show signs Of intermission.


These are grave "reminiscences Of great
facts. The past, so far, seems to be secure.
But if the cloud which overhangs US is seen to
have q silver lining, giving undoubted token Of
ny dsappearauee below tho horizon, there 10