smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

reader Will excuse me from describing. Old
DICK had sunk into his grave.-not. I trust.
without sanctltying grace considering all the
oorthodox sermons which had been piled upon
his head


Ellen Cleveland was there.-no longer n ton.
ant of the Cleveland pew, but of ESQUIRE Browns.
whose daughter-in-law she was,-and she had
brought up already three cottage flowers TO be
sprinkled with baptismal waters. There was
no settled pastor; preacher was "supplying,"
and the church was about half full. A new set
had succeeded to the pigeon loft, assisted by
flute and violin. There was nothing in its per-
formances to blame, and not much to praise +;
but it made me sigh for the golden days of Pc
ter Belts.


by no means affirm that the singing school
was the cause Of all this decline | only aim
to give its beginning, its middle, and its end
Certain | am that things went rapidly down as
soon as the quadrangle was broken up. Ger
tain | am, too, that they went rapidly up again
in the short interval when Ellen Cleveland led
off the congregation; and we came out of the
church with our heats brimming over with de-.
votiona rapture, and our souls melting togeth-
er in brotherly and sistcrly love. And brought
away from the old church these two ideas,-and
have carried them with me these thirty years,
all after experience so confirming them that the
Smithfeld fires could not melt them out of me,
that the Divine influx comes with special
power and fullness into congregational singing
and that singing schools are curse to human
society.
Year: 1861

WHAT WILL GLASS OF WATER HoLD.-It
is generally thought that when vessel is full
of water any solid substance immersed in it
will cause it to overflow, and such will be the
case if the substance is not soluble in the wa
ter; but the phlosophic truth that in dissolving
a body you do not increase the volume of the
solvent, may be proved by simple and inter-
esting experiment Saturate a certain quantity
of water, at moderate heat, with three ounces
of sugar, and when it will no Longer, receive,
there is room in it for two ounces Of salt of tar
tar, and after that for an ounce and dram Of
tartar and dram of green vtriol nearly six
drains of nitre, the same quantity of sal ammo
MAC or smelling salts, and two drains and a
scruple of alum, and dram and half Of bo-
rax when all of these are dissolved in it, it will
not have increased in volume.
Year: 1861

The Newburyport Herald states that
young widow, married in that city a
few days since to soldier, being ques-
toned as to the inducgment TO commit
matrimony a second time, when once
she had been safely deliverpd from the
restraining knot, said she had il nigd
the bounty paid by the State to the
families Of volunteers, which would
give her and two children three dollars
a week to carry them through next win
ter, and possibly the husband might be
shot, and she become ronsioncr in her
oll age.
Year: 1861

Lieut. Gre5les Last letter


On the Sunday before his death, Lieut..
Greble wrote as follows:


81 hope that I may be given courage
and good Judgment enough to do we'll
my duty in any circumstances in which
| may be placed. AS far as can see,
there is not much danger to be incurred
in this campaign. At present, both
sides seem better inclined to talking
than fighting. If talking could settle
it, by giving the supremacy forever to
the general Government, | think it
would be better than civil war; but that
talking can settle it | do not believe"


just before starting for the battle, IN
which ie was killed, he wrote on piece
of paper, in pencil for his wife


MAY God bless you, my darling, and
grant you happy End peaceful life
May the good Father protect you and
me, and grant that we may long live
happily together, Godgive me strength,
wisdom and courage. If die, let me
die as brave and honorable man. let
no stain of dishonor hang over me or
you"
Year: 1861

From less than one hundred, with which
we started over that ten mile stretch,
she had two hundred before we finished
it; and as the gage indicated no higher
thanAthat, and the valve was tied down,
could not tell how much over two hun
dredg pounds she carried, but she GER
tainiy carried none less the rest of the
journey. And we'll might she carry
suchsan enormous head of steam; for af-
ter passing over that ten miles in eight
minutes, there lay ten miles of FIVE
feet up grade, and fourteen miles of
twenty o-the mile depression between
US and C, and it was now eleven
o'clock and forty seven minutes.


"Now the engine was hot in earnest.
The .arnace door, smoke-arch and chin
lneytM. were red, while she seemed to
fly onward as if the very evil ons him
self operated her machinery.


''Six minutes carried US over that ten
miles; and we darted by the last station
that had lain between US and c..
Now we had fourteen miles to go, and
my time showed eleven o'clock and fifty
three minutes.


"'If live,' said I to myself, 4 will
make it,, and we plunged down the
twenty feet grade with all steam on. -
Persons WHO saw that wild run, say that
it was so soon after they heard the first
sound of her approach, when the strange
object which looked as if it was fame
of fire, darted by, and then the sound
of its travelling died away in the dis
tance, and they could hardly convince
themselves that they had seen anything.
1t seemed more like creature of wild
dream than sober reality.


"And now let me tell you that no en-
gineer ever beat the time we made on
those fourteen miles. Those great
wheels, eleven feet in diameter, spun
around so swiftly that you could not
begin to count the revolutions. The
engine barely seemed to touch the track
as she few along, and although the
track was as true as it could be, she
swayed fearfully, and sometimes made
such prodigious jolts that it required
considerable skill for one to keep his
feet. No engine would hold together if
crowded to greater speed.


"Well, just as I came to a stand at
the depot in C, the big clock
doomed out twelve and the steamboat
was getting her steam on. Roberts got
on board in time and nothing to spare.


"And he saved the money, did he?"
I asked, when saw that my friend had
finished his story.


eyes; he found it hid away in some
old boxes, as Aldrich had directed.


''If you are passenger for c."
said waiter, "the bus is ready"


So thanked my friend for his story,
and bade him good bye.
Year: 1861

This gentleman writes to friend in rea
ton to the present political crisis as follows


1t we can escape immediate convulsions
what will occur in my opinion, will be the
gradual consolidation of the entire South, in
one opinion, and upon one man (probably
Breckinridge,) by 1864, and the permanent
triumph of the Democratic party in 1864,
by means of united South, and certain
portion, more or less considerable, of the
Northern States This is the lest result
see to be possible; and | who say this am an
old fashioned Republican, of the school of
l79s-a Clay Whig-a steaifast Know
Nothing-and never yet voted for John G.
Breckenridge, though he has stood to me
nearly in the relation of son, since his or
phanage in a very tender infancy.


1t is hardly worth while to say that Ken
tucky is and always has been. thoroughly
for the Union. and that no man is more de
voted 20 it than Mr.. Breckenridge himself
Nay he is one of the very few eminent
public men from whose lips not even hy-
po'helical case Of jus,tiabIe dissolution was
ever heard. And the dav may come when
recompense to his country for the terrible
abuse avished on him as traitor to il, will
he the sublime exercise of his great, wise
and dauntless nature in the preservation of
that very Union which the passions of men
and the violence of parties have put IN SO
much peril.
Year: 1861

YoUNG AMERICA The following speci
men of youthful bravado is too good to be
lost: One night Freddy had been put to bed,
and mother and Johnny were in an adjoin.
ing room. Presently Johnny cut up some
caper on which mother threatened to take
him into the other room and whip him.
Mother" said Freddy's voice under the bed
clothes, II know where | would take him
"Where?' said the mother, whose curiosity
earN
Year: 1861

PENALTY OF FAST LlrE-A fast life
cannot be lived with impuniy. In this
field of waste and disorder, AS in every other,
Gods. violated law, however it may be for
gotten, never fails to assert or vndi, ate it
self The vicious die early" They fade
like shadows or tumble like reeds and ruins
into the grave-ofen when quite young, al
most always before forty. "Bloody men,"
says the Psalmist, "shall not live out halt
their, days; and the remark is equally true Of
fast men. They live unsteadily, spend their
twelve hours in six, turn night into day, or
use for ca:onsal and diss' patton time that
should be used for rest; and in their rush in
the chase of pleasure, get eut OF sight and
into darkness, while others are in the glow
and glory of life.


Many a man and many woman too, dies
thus long before their time. They keep up
so constant a steam that the boiler is con-
sumed or exploles. The machinery is
spoiled by reckless speed, and its inevitable
wear and tear.
Year: 1861

The Petersburg Express publishes the fol.
lowing from reliable correspondents:


A carpenter while engaged few days ago
in pulling down an old house, and removing
some of the rotten timbcrs near the ground
was bitten by rattlesnake. In a few mo.
mens his finger was swollen to four times its
natural sze and rel streak commenced
running up his hand and wrist. A deadly
langour came upon him and his Wis on grew
dim clearly indicating that the subtle poison
that WIS coursing through his veins was rap
idly approaching the citadel of life. But a
remedy was tried merely by way Of expert
mcnt, which, to the surprise of all present
acted like charm, the component parts of
which were onion, tobacco, and salt of
equal parts, made into a poutice and ap
piled to the wound, and at the same time Il
cord was bound tightly about the wrist. In
two hours afterwards lie had recovered so as
to te able to resume his work. | knew an
old negro who cured a boy that had been
bitten by mad dog 10y the same appica
ton
Year: 1861

MAG GNIrUDE OF INLAND CoMMERcE.-Sta-
tlstics prove that the grain commerce of
Lake Michigan is greater than that of the
Atlantic ocean. Chicago and Milwaukee
receive and ship more wheat than any four
cities on the globe.
Year: 1861

On the anniversary of the bombardr1ent
of Fort McHenry, the following incident
occurred:


There was curious incident happened
that day about one and half miles from
camp. About the time the cannon were
fired there was funeral procession seen
to be crossing the bridge which crosses
the Patapsco river. The bridge is in plain
sight of our camp, and is guarded by a
company of men at each end and sentry
to each pier. The procession was headed
by preacher and hearse, and there were
about thirty men and women, apparently
monruers. They had advanced part way
across the bridge when one of the sentries
surprised them, and insisted on seeing the
corpse, but the priest refused, saying that
the person had been dead several days and
smelt very bad, but the guard was bound
to see, and also called for the corporal of
the guard. The coffin was opened, and
found to be fall of Colts revolvers, worth
about $40 each, and also lot of papers
concerning prominent men in Baltimore,
one of whom is Ross Winans, the invent.
or of the great steam gun. They were all
taken the same night TO the fort. The
preacher proved to be rebel captain, and
the women were men in disguise. They
are all confined here in brick barn, with
guards at every door. .ay tes
Year: 1861

containing a few verses from the Bible, or a


well-selected hymn or prayer, could be
added-it might attract some careless eye


or touch some heart that had forgotten
its early training. When these things are in
the bag draw the string and then roll up


the bag and wind the string around it


tightly, and you have a compact and safe


roll that can be tossed into a haversack as
carelessly as any man could wish.


Our correspoden. continues: confess
that seldom think of any thing these days
but the war, and and of what can be done
to help those who are so nobly helping
us; and know there are hundreds and
thousands Of woman who feel as do.
Let such form themselves into clubs, and
each club devote itself to one particular
regiment. Let one lady in each club be
appointed to write to the Colonel Of the
regiment selected, and inquire what COM
forts of this kind are most needed by his
men. Let the men be told by him that it
is to the sympathy and industry Of these
ladies that these comforts are due, and it
will cheer and encourage them to bear
thei, haidships more bravely when they re-
alize that they are remembered at home
with affectionate interest, which manifests
itself in little deeds of kindness as we'll
as slittle words of love- These ladies will
feel double interest in watching the con-
duct and success Of what they will soon
learn to regard as their own regiment. By
exercising this living bond ofinterest some
thing Of the old feeling Of chivalry viii be
revived-a chivalry modified and enlighteu
by, Christianity" -"75l .,.'f. So 5at
Year: 1861

Well may every act and every silent
thought deep-hidden thought 1t be tend
to the great hereafter.


Talk Of fame and romance-all the
glory and adventure in the world are not
worth one hour of domstic bliss


1t is only those that have done nothing
who fancy they can do everything
Year: 1861

present difficulties more inextricable. The safe
ground for Virginia, is that upon which Mary.
land now stands, that the Constitution, as our
fathers made it, is ample protection to all
rights Of persons and property. The people Of
Virginia would take that ground to day, if their
leaders would permit them to do so. But it is
the personal interest Of these leaders to keep
up agitation, and it is to that that they are now
recklessly sacrificing the interests of everybody
else. They know, or ought to know, that
nothing would more effectuslly tend to restore
national quiet than for Virginia to take decided
and de6nitive ground for the Union. But in,
stead Of that, they threaten US with border.
State conference, which involves the certainty
of a whole year of distraction, and the danger
of q final disruption.
Year: 1861

1t is stated, that owing to an omission or
oversight, no appropriation was made for the
pay Of any of the officers of the three Terrific
rial Governments organized last session. The
Governors and other dignitares must trust to
the next Congress- for compensation. They
are supposed to favor an extra session.
Year: 1861

GRADUAL RISE OF New FoUNDLAND
FROM THE SEA.-It is fact worthy of
notice, that the whole of the land in and
about the ncighborhood of CONCEPTION
Bay, very probably the whole island is
rising out of the ocean at very consid-
cradle rate, which promises, at no very
distant day, materially to affect, if not
TO render useless many of the best har-
bors on the coast. AT Port de Grave a
series of observations have been made,
which undeniably prove the rapid dis
placement of the sea-level in the vicinity.
Several large fiat rocks overwhich schoon-
ers might pass some thirty or forty years
since with the greatest facility, are now
approaching the surface, and the water is
scarcely navigable for a skiff. At place
called the Gosh, at the head of Bay Rob
erts, upwards of a mile from the sea-
shore and at several feet above its level,
covered with five or six feet of vegetable
mould, there is aperfect beach, the stones
being rounded, Of a moderate size, and in
all respects similar to those now found in
the adjacent land washes.
Year: 1861

FRIENDS BARNS: For a long time !
have been endeavoring to bring my mind
to bear upon some subject with which to
entertain the readers of tho News, but
the all engrossing subject of our National
War has been such serious burden to
my mental energies that l have feared TO
put my pen to the paper, lest | should
give it an impress Of my own gloomy
feelings, and thus impart to the reader
sensation which would exert retardng
influence on the already complicated ma
chiuery of our country's operations. When
| have thought to write the subject sug-
gested has been War! And to me it is
revolving thought.


When / have looked into a paper the
first word l have seen is WAR! When
q person calls for his mails he asks for
the latest news from the seat of WAR !!
And if l meet neighbor in the street,
the salutation is, "What is the news from
the War;" And being a peaceful or
ganization dread the thoughts of war !;
and to think of writing on subject of
such magnitude, for the public mind,
makes me feel my own insignifcance and
l shrink from the task. Could exclude
that dreadful subject from my thoughts,
and write acceptably on any other, l
would gladly do so. But while the din
of war comes TO us on every breeze, who
can close his mind to it?


The thought of two nations, however
distant in the scale of being, meeting each
other in deadly conflict is terrible. To
contemplate the horrors of mere meeting
upon plain with all the instruments of
death, that human ingenuity can invent,
to manglc and kill each other, to strew
their mangled bodies and pour their gush-
ing life blood upon the ground, and
fill their homes with lamentations and
mourning is revolving to the philanthropic
soul. To read the history Of ancient wars
is terrible, and to hear of the more mod
crn wars with present existing nations
makes the heart recoil with anguish from
the scene, and with deep drawn sigh
we pray for the hour when "Thc nations
shall learn war no more"


But when we are forced to know that
war, in all its most horrid forms, is among
us-when our own firesides are invaded,
to obtain of our own kindred men to take
the tented field, and when we are obliged
10 know that the foe is of our own nation
while the parties to the war are those who
have set together in our own National
Halls of Legslation-those who have ta-
ken sweet counsel together, while consult
ing on the best means of preserving ouI
nations dignity and glory in our inter
course with other nations of the earth
and when they are reported to have
"fought like devils" with their own coun.
trymen, and that even in all the charges
Of the battles Of Inkerman and the AL
ma nothing could equal those Of ours in
a civil contest, the subject rises in its mag
nitude far above that Of all other wars
and seems TO crush the sensitive heart e
atoms. Whose mind is so well steelec
as not to be absorbed in the horrors o
Year: 1861

In letter of Washington TO his friend
Lund, in June, 1776, occurs the following
passage, in which he most graphically
describes the peculiarities of Northern
and Southern men as soldiers, and gives
preference for the qualities of the North
ern men, the justice of which the present
campaign is likely to verify:


awe have lately had a general review,
and have much pleasure in informing
YOU that we made better appearance,
and went through our exercises more like
soldiers, than l had expected. The
Southern States are rash and blameable
in the judgment they form of their breth-
rem Of the four New England States. |
do assure you, with all my pnrtiality for
my own countrymen, and prejudices
against them, | can but consider them as
the flower of the American army. They
are strong, vigorous and hearty people,
inuered to labor and toll, which our peo-
pie seldom are; and though our hot and
eager spirits may suit better in a sudden
and desperate enterprise, yet, in the way
in which wars are now carried on, you
must look for permanent advantages only
from that patient and persevering temper
which is the result Of labor. The New
Englanders are cool, considerate and SEN
'sible, whilst we aro all fire aud fury. Like
their climate, they maintain an equal
temperature, whereas We can not shine
but we burn. They have q uniformity
and stability of character to which the
people of no other States have any pre-
tensions; hence they must and will al
ways preserve their influence in this great
empire. Were it not for the drawbacks
and disadvantage which the influence Of
their popular opinions on the subject of
government have on their army, they soon
might and probably will, give law TO it."
Year: 1861


Life is race where some succeed,
While others are beginning;
'Tis luck at times, at others speed,
That gives an early winning.
But If you chance to fall behind,
Ne'er slacken your endeavor,
But keep this wholesome truth in mind,
IT'S better late than never.
If you can keep ahead, tits well,
But never trip your neighbor;
IT'S noble when you can excel
By honest, patient labor;
But if you are outstripped at last,
Press on as bold as ever;
Remember, though you are surpassed,
'Tis better late than never.
Ne'er labor for an idle boast
or victory DER another;
But while you strive your uttermost,
Deal fairly with brother.
Whate'er your station, do your best,
And hold your purpose ever;
And if you fail to beat the rest,
'Tis better late than never.
Choose well the path in which you run,
Succeed by noble daring;
Then, tho the last, when once tits won,
Your crown is worth the wearing.
Then never fret if left behind,
Nor slacken your endeavor,
But ever keep this truth in mind
'Tis better late than never.
Year: 1861

No SwEARNG.-A young West Point
er was drilling Massachusetts company
in Washington, recently, and was heard
by the captain to swear at them fearfulIy.
The next day when the youngster came
TO perform his duty, tho Captain took
him aside and said to him substantially,
" Look here, my friend; l observed yes
terday that you used good deal of pro-
fame language to my soldiers. A good
many of them are young men who arc
not used to swearing, and their parents
expect that l will do what | can TO pre-
serve their morals pure. l don't swear
myself, and l won't have my men sworn
to by anybody" The rebuke was taken
kindly, and tho drill-master swore no
more
Year: 1861

A FAT MAN IN BATrLn.- Daring the Bulls
Rno battle an order was given to New Eng
land company to lie down and load, and only
rise when in the act of Gring. During the hot
test Of the conflict Captain Law observed man
standing while loading Contrary to order
exclaimed the captain; you must lie down
while loading The fact is, captain, said the
mau addressed, I'm so pIaguy fat that if lie
down to load it takes too long to get up again
The captain turned away with smile, and left
the fat man to choose bis own method of fight
Ing.
Year: 1861

Not lost forever. though earth we've parted
Not lost forever though meet no more,
They do not wander lone and broken hearted
Who see Heavens radience on the fnrther shore
Not lost forever every gentle token,


That memory wins me from the far away,
Shall fill my SOUL though all the ties broken
With tender grace that never decay.
Not lost forever while around me springing


The violets weep, the roses blush and bloom;
And summer birds, in summer woodlands singing,
Flood with soft music all the tranquil gloom.
There will be meaning In the stars, the flowers,
The grand and solemn voices Of the sea;
Telling of happy dreams, and happy hours,


Of life and sunshine, which it caught from thee.
Not lost forever! thou shalt still be near me,


Through every future, and in every cline;
When cares oppress, or gentle memories cheer me,
Thou shalt be near me- dearest, all the time.
Year: 1861

Ofcourse very large portion Of the popu-
lation-thatis is to say, all who are engaged in
agriculture. as we'll as builders, and gencr-
ally those who labor out o. doors-~aye thrown
out OF work at the approach of winter But
the change is not, as it would be in other
Year: 1861

Have been before the public for apjod Of 80 years,
and during that time have maintained high character
i almost every part Of the Globe for the extraordinary,
curative properties which they possess.
Year: 1861

no! YOUNG MEN Without help you are
runed-whst you most need i'not Medicine. but IN
FORMATION RsadA Tract will send you for dime my
New Method Healing In certain Nervous complaints safe
and sure. Address LA RAY SUNDERLAND, Boston, Mass