smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1865

ONCE upon a time there was Grand
Duke so fond of new clothes that be spent
all his money on his toilet. Whenever
he reviewed his troops, whenever he went
to the theatre or for a ride, it was always
for one purpose--to show off his new
clothes. Every hour of the day he
changed his costume; and, as it is said
Of a King" He is in his council cham
ber,' it was said of him" He is in his
dressing room" The capital was an ex-
ceedingly gay city, thanks TO the num-
ber of foreigners passing through it. But
one day there likewise came two rascals
who gave themselves out for weavers, and
declared they were capable of weaving
the most magnificent cloth IN the world
Not only we're the colors and material of
extraordinary beauty, but the garments
made from this stuff possessed a marvel
Gus proporty-they became invisible to
every functionary ignorant of the require
ments of his Office, or to any one of lin
tied understanding.


These must, indeed, be invaluable
clothes, thought the Grand Duke to
himself "With them I should be en-
abled to find out the incapable members
of my Government, and readily distin-
guish the competent from the incompe-
tent. Yes this wondrous cloth is indis-
pensable to me" He then advonced a
large sum of money to the two rogues,
that they might Immediately commence
their work.


Indeed, they set up two looms, and
made pretense of busying themselves.
though in reality there was absolutely
nothing on the bobbins. They unceas-
ingIy asked for the finest of silk and the
purest of gold thread; but they placed
all that in their bag, working till mid
night at their empty looms.


"I should like to know how the labor
is progressing, said the Grand Duke to
himself But he felt his heart sink on
recollecting that persons ignorant or in
capable of fulfilling their functions were
unable to see this magic cloth. Not that
he for a moment doubted his own capacity,
yet he judged it best to send some one to
make a prior examination. The entire
inhabitants of the city we're oognizant of
the marvellous qualities of the cloth, and
all awaited impatiently the knowledge of
their neighbors' stupidity.


"I will send my good old Minister to
the weavers," thought the Grand Duke;
"none can judge better of the merits of
their work thon he, distinguished as he
is by his sense and knowledge of the re-
quirements Of the position he fills"


The honest old Minister entered the
room in which the two impostors piled
their empty looms.


Egad l'' thought he, opening wide
his eyes, 3" can see nothing. But this
be kept to himself


The two rogues invited him to draw
near and inquired Of him how be found
the design and cOlOrs.


They at the same time pointed to their
looms, and the old Munster earnestly fix
ed his gaze upon them but he saw moth
ing for the simple reason that there was
nothing to see.


"Gracious goodness r' thought he,
q am I in reality a blockhead? None
must have a suspicion of this. Can re-
ally be incapable2 I dare notavow that
the cloth is invisible to me"


"WelI, what think you ofit?' said one
ofthe weavers.


Charming most charming! !' replied
the Minister, putting on his spectacles
" This design and these eolOrs. Yes, 1
Year: 1865

We continued to increase, and by and by
it began to look as if this new party would, at
some time, have the loaves and fishes of Of
fee TO dispense. Then it seemed as if a po-
rtical pentecost came on the land. Converts
came faster than we could discipline them
The doors of the party were wide open, like
the sanctuary of God, to all offenders, and
the thief and the hypocrite did not stumble
on its threshold. but in they came; and the
proaigate in life, the venal in politics, the
malignant at heart and the brutal in manner
all came in with the great multitude Of the
poor and the honest and the disintere5ted and
the patriot


But, sir, when the apostles went fishing
and threw out their nets and made great
haul, they caught fish of every kind. So all
these people came in and we were a great
party. It happened to US just as it happened
to a great many before, and win happen a
great many times again; the converts that
were the more recent and from the most bit
ter of our opponents, were the most noisy in
professions of zeal for their new found faith
confess, Mr.. President, that I was astonish-
ed beyond measure when found out after
we actually came into power, that all the Of
fcers at the other end of the avenue, in the
treasury, the post Office, the war, and all the
other departments, had always been republi-
cans, and the great trial of their life had been
to smother their deep convictions upon the
Year: 1865

MATRIMONIAL jealousy is said to have origi-
mated in this wise: "Adam used to eofto
heaven in the evening to pray. One time,
Satan made friendly call at Adams resi-
dence, and Eve, not knowing where her
husband had gone, was little petulant and
lonesome. Satan told her that Adam had
gone to heaven to call on another woman
he supposed 1t was all right; be was syerss
to making misohiefin families, but, really, the
conduct Of her husband was remarkable, in
thus leaving so beautiful woman slone.-
He then took Eve to a fountain and showed
her a picture Of the woman her husband was
in he habit of visiting Adam came home
after a while, and got a regular blowing up,
and they made so much noise about it that
both were unceremoniously kicked out of
Paradise -75
Year: 1865

SENATOR HALE who knows whereof he
speaks, gives the following sketch Of the Re
publican party:


Let me say word now about our Repub-
lican party, or Union party. Mr.. President,
the history of that party which has controlled
this country recently, I do not say it controls
it now, but the history of that party which
made the great revolution inpolitics is very
curious and a very instructive one, We be-
gan when we were but a handful. I recog-
nize around me now but very few faces that
were familiar in those early conflicts and
struggles.
Year: 1865

A lady of Pittsburg, by the name of Mrs.
Gllard, in baking some sponge cake last
W eek, used arsenic in mistake for carbon
ate of soda. All of the family were taken
deathly sick. and had it not been for the
skill OF physicians, the results might have
been serious. As it was, they all recov.
cred g
Year: 1865

be forgotten by the searcher for the mighty
names of earth, in the epic grandeur of
Grants summer line" We challenge his.
torv for an instance where one single mind
has worked its logic out so handsomely and
vet on a scale SO grand. Not one mistake on
field of operations equal to all Eurone.
Not man misplaced, no merit overlooked
no combination broken, no error made. hut
ever marching on to one single, terrible. fix.
ed design, and that was nothing less than
the absolute annihilation of Lees armv
This was accomplished, and this as it had
been several times carefully intimated bv the
master spirit of the war; was the end of the
Confederacy. Men will say how easy was all
this. Let them say it. The greatest thing
oft mes appear the easiest. 1t was EASY for
Columbus to set ar egg ON end and he only
had to sail westward to discover q new con-
tinent When genius is rcbuked, when phil
osophy doubts, when strength melts to weak.
ness, and wisdom becomes follvj when all
the plans of the mighty fail; when sinking
nations look around for help, when the hour
comes and is waiting for the same man, and
the man shall come forth and play his part
and play it well. and the great world shall
say how easy that man whoever and wher-
ever he may be, receives the highest praise
due from man to man. Such man shall
stand in all coming time the type of moral
sublmity. Such a man is Leutenant-Gen.
eral Grant. History shall yet dilate her
philosophic eve to see how easy he pricked
the bubble Yes, how easy. How easy the
earth, and sky, and tranquil space, yet how
sublime !-Washoe Times.
Year: 1865

How TO FALL AsLEEP-RoLLING THE EYES.
The great point to be gained in order to se-
cure sleep is escape from thought, especially
from that clinging, tenacious, impericus
thought. which in most cases of wakefulness
has possession of the mind. | always effect
this by the following simple process: turn
my eveballs as far to the right or left, or up.
ward, or downward, as | can without pain,
and then commence rolling them slowly,
with that divergence from direct line of Wis.
ion around in their sockets, and continue do.
ing thus until | fall asleep, which occurs
generally within three minutes-always within
five at the most. The immediate effect of
procedure differs from that of any other have
ever heard to procure sleep. 1t not merely
diverts thought into a new channel, but act.
ually suspends it. Since | became aware of
this | have endeavored, innumerable times.
while thus rolling my eyes, to think upon a
particular subject, and even upon that which
before kept me awake, but | could not. As
long as they were moving around my mind
was blank. If any doubts this, let him try
the experiment for himself wish he would:
let him pause just here and make it. | ven.
ture to assure him that, If he makes it in good
faith in the manner described, the promise of
q ''penny for his thoughts" or for each of
them, while the operation is in progress,
will add very little to his wealth. Such
being its effects, we cannot wonder that it
should bring sleep to a nervous and wakcful
man of night. The philosophy of the mat
ter is very simple. A suspension of thought
is to the mind what suspension of travel or
labor is to weary body. 1t enjoys the lux
ury ofrest; the strain upon its faculties is
removed it falls asleep as naturally as the
farmer in his chair after toiling all day in his
feld.-Anatomyo Of Sleep.
Year: 1865


What dost thou see, lone watcher on the tower?
Is the day breaking? comes the wished.for hour
Tell us the signs and stretch abroad thy hand,
If the bright morning dawns upon the land.


wATCsER.
The stars are clear above me; scarcely one
Has dimmed its ray in reverence to the sun;
But yet see the horizons verge
Some fair, faint streaks if the light would surge


TRAVELLER.
And is that all? 0, watcher on the tower
Look forth again it must be near the hour
Dost thou not see the snowy mountain copse,
And the green woods beneath them on the slopes?


WATCHER.
mist envelopes them: can not trace
Their outline, but the day comes on apace;
The clouds roll up in gold and amber flakes,
And all the stars grow dim. The morning breaks


TRAVELLER.
Again, again, 0, watcher on the toweri
We thirst for daylight and we bide the hour,
Patient but longing. Tell US, shall it be
bright, calm, glorious daylight for the freeP


WATCHER.
hope, but can not tell. I hear song
Vivid as day itself, and clear and strong,
As of a lark, young prophet of the noon,
Pouring in sunlight his seraphic tune.


TRAVELLER.
What deos he say? 0, watcher on the towerl
Is he prophet? Doth the dawning hour
Inspire his music? Is his chant sublime
With the full glories of the Summer time?


WATCHER.
He prophesies, his heart is full, his lay
Tells of the brightness Of a peaceful day
A day not clouded, nor devoid of storm,
But sunny, for the most, and clear and warm.


TRAVELLER.
We thank thee, watcher on the lonely tower,
For all thou telest. Sings he of an hour
When error shall decay, and truth grow strong?
When right shall rule supreme and vanquish wrong!
He sings of brotherhood, and joy and peace,
Of days when jealousies and hate shall cease;
When war shall die, and man's progressive mind
Scars as unfettered as its God designed.


TRAVELLER.
Well done, thou watcher on the lonely tower
Is the day breaking? dawns the happy hour?
We pine to see it. Tell US yet again,
If the broad daylight breaks upon the plain?
1t breaks, it comes, the misty shadows fly,
And rosy radiance CLEANS upon the sky,
The mountain tops reflect it calm and clear,
The plain is yet in shade, but day is near
Year: 1865

What have you done with my poor old ia
ther ?''


No one answered, but many grew pale,
and shudder ran through the crowd, as the
girl stopped down and lifted mass of gray
hairs from the blood stained grass


80, my God ~ she said in low. fierce
tone, as she turned upon them you call
yourselves Christians, and this Christian
land" Then springing upon a projecting
rock. she went on. Listen, murderers,
and hear what you have done The blood
that is crying out from the earth for ven-
geance is my fathers; he chose his king,
rather than one he called usurper: he lost all
save his life in the cause, and fed. NY
husband was also soldier in the kings
army. He-was wounded and tried to escape,
but they hunted him to worse than death
they drove him mad and it was to give US
a refuge, and to let him die in peace, that nv
father came here. When he was ready for
US he signalled across the channel, and |
brought my poor mad husband across the
waters in the boat you found upon the beach.
The cries your children heard were those of
my husband; but they would have troubled
you DO more-he died to-day, and is now at
the foot-stool of the Great God, and, with the
poor old man you have murdered, is crying
for Gods Judgment on you. O, Almighty
God, curse these men may they ask for rest
and find toll and trouble; may they 60 forth
beggars and branded from the land they
have diseraced, driven forth by the spirits Of
their forefathers; dying, may they find mer
cy neither from man nor Heaven W


As the last words were upon her lips, she
threw herself from the rock, down the steep
precipice into the foaming water, now raging
in storm, and her last curse actually seemed
to rise from the ocean itself.


The crowd sank away speechless and
stricken; not word was uttered as they
crept back to their homes, carrying with
them the terrible burden of the curse.


The next day, the ravens and carrion
crows had cleared away every trace of the
deed Of blood from the cliff above; but the
earth which had drank up the red blood
would not hidethe witness, and in the cave
beneath gave, and still gives, testimony to
the murder-the dead mans blood still re-
naming as memorial of his fate.
Year: 1865

DoN'T DEsPfsE SMALL THINGs.-Some wears
ago gentleman visiting farmer took from
his pocket a small potato, which somehow
had got in there at home. 1t was thrown
out with smile, and the farmer taking it in
his hand to look at it, curious little boy of
twelve standing at his elbow asked him what
it was. "Oh, said he, nothing but a pota-
to, my boy take and plant it, and you shall
have m all you raise from it till you are free."
The lad took it, and the farmer thought no
more about it at the time. The bov, how
ever. not despising small potatoes, carefully
divided it into as many pieces as he could
find eyes, and put them into the ground.
The product was carefully put aside in the
fall and planted in the spring, and so on till
the fourth year, when the yield being good.
tn. the actual produce was four hundred bushels!
The farmer seeing the prospect that the pota-
to field would, by another year, cover his
whole farm, asked to be released from his
promise Let us not despise small things
Mery's Museum.
Year: 1865

1t is matter of surprise that goods, wares and
merchandise, of all descriptions, which ran up SO


rapidly and so high as coin went up are SO slow in
coming down There is no cause for keeping up
these high and extravagant prices Of commodtics
Gold has fallen from 29O to 1885, and gold must and


will continue steadily 10 decline, until il reaches
|l25, if not lower figures and on the other hand
greenbacks will continue to appreciate in value as
they are doing, The great reduction of the army
and navy, and the consequent curtament of the


national expenses, are bringing down gold and t.
Ting up greenbacks and these together have reduced
the prices Of dry goods, groceries, and all other
commodities of daily consumption. Notwithstand-
ling the efforts to keep up prices by interested hold
|ers they must come down with gold, and with the
Increased value Of greepbacks. As the army is re-
|duced and hundreds Of thousands OF officers and


prvates are mustered out paymasters will cease to
|distrbAe millions per month, money matters will
become tight, and prices are obliged to come down
Large government contracts will no longer collect


together all the products Of the country for army
uses at high prices, and every commodity will come
down. The supply will exceed the demand, and


down will come Prizes.


The war is really at an end and there will be no
more lighting The prudens and sensible rebels
coming in will not encourage bushwhackng, but
|w return to their allegiance, and aid the Union
lists in restoring order and the good old days Of


prosperity. On our part, as loyast' we should all
labor to have the whole system Of military govern
|ment collapse as soon us possible. Our authorities
|wi as matter of course sell ont to people Mt
public outcry thousands Of horses and mules and
|many half-worn wagons and harness. Soon there
after our farming operations viii bo extended and


bur whole country will come right into life May
pence plenty, prosperity md low prices for the ne


te,saries Of life, speedily come upon our whole
land
Year: 1865

We dislike to say a word which might, by
any possible construction, be offensive to the
ladies', for whom we entertain a very pro-
found respect, not unmingled with admiration.
We might use astronger term than the latter
without belieing our feelings, but we are con-
fdent that, without resorting to more raptu-
rous expressions, our lady friends will under
stand what we mean, and hence receive what
we have 10 say-if not thankfully--at least
without betraying any emotion of anger or
annoyance. Now to the point Flatly we do
not like the style OF street-sweeping dresses.
1t is the work OF scavengers, not OF ladies, to
sweep the dust and tobacco andevery kind of
filth from the pavements, and it ofiends our
sense of propriety to see silk and poplin and
barege and calico do the work of hickory
brooms. Besides, long skirts, except in par
lors or well furnished sitting-rooms, are an
annoyance to their wearers. Not word,
Madam or Miss, ii you please, till you have
heard us through. We assert that they are
troublesome and annoying to you. Theymust
be-and what is more to the purpose, you
know it, and only wear them because they are
they are fashionable just as you would shave
your head and wear rings in your nose, il the
tickle goddess commanded it to be done. What
fixing up it requires before you are ready to
step over the threshold of your door for
walk; and sometimes a part of the gearing
gives way when you are on the pavement, and
then you undergo the modification of re fix
ing with the public gaze full upon you.-Hdr-
rtSburg Union.
Year: 1865

A SITUATION in the Editorial Department of
IA some newspaper, by one who loves the profess
ion and from choice would make it business Tor
life. Address for one month


febl6d3w ENOCH KNIGHT, Lowell, Me.
Year: 1865

One OF the most effective speeches in sup
port OF the Anti Slavery Amendment to the
Constitution was that made by Hon. Moses f.
Odell, a life long Democrat, representing one
OF the Brooklyn districts in Congress. After
expressing his belief that the influence OF the
Amendment, in case of its adoption, would
mot only reach the negro but affect for good
the future destiny oil the white race North
and South;" that "the existence in our coun-
try OF antagonistic systems of labor has
brought upon the nation the terrible calamity
of wasting civil war, with all its desola-
tions, costing the country the lives of hun
dreds of thousands OF It's best and brayest
sons, and wasting her material resources ,"
and that, the destruction of slavery being the
legitimate fruit of the rebellion, he is sin favor
OF giving it a constitutional burial" he goes
on to make frank acknowledgment of the
error committed by his party in their past ac-
tion on the subject:


"The action of the South in their rebellion
has not commended them to me for any spe-
cial acts of grace or forbearance. Their trea-
son to their country is only equalled by their
treachery to the Democratic party. Person
ally have feelings upon this subject toward
the men of the South for their treason, as
Democrat, that no men OF The Opposition have
right to indulge in.


"The Democratic party had been their





their friends through evil and good report
We had stood by them in all their interests.
More than this, we have yielded our own con-
victions and prejudices to theirs. As we met
them from time to time in our national con-
Ventons, it was only to submit to new de-
mands made upon us to favor, strengthen and
extend their system of slave labor. To secure
peace aid harmony these demands were ac-
ceded to. The steadily increasing pecuniary
interest of the Shareholders gave them power,
and led them, in the love of gain, to depart
from the teachings and principles of the fa-
thers upon this subject. With the modern
STAKEHOLDER it was no longer an evil to be en-
dured for awhile, but blessing to be perpet-
uated through all future time.


"From our present stand point the error of
thus having yielded to the Slave Power of
the South is clearly seen by the nation and
more keenly felt by the Democratic party.
need not say to the intelligent men who sur
round me, that if the party North had resist
ed this encroachment upon the religious belief
and Northern sentiment, forced upon us by
the SOUTH, the war now waging would never
have been iDaugurated. Better for our coun-
try and the race had we exerted our power
and manhood at an earlier period in our his
tory" W


Ihis confession does honor alike to the
head and heart of Mr. Odell, and we have no
doubt that it expresses the feelings and con-
victions of thousands of Democrats who have
been kept in false position by the force of
party ties which they lacked the courage 10
break. We are glad that Mr. Odell has spo-
ken tor them, and we trust that his example
will inspire them with a resolution to make
atonement for past errors by noble devotion,
in time to come, to the great principles of i'm
partial liberty
Year: 1865

There is no miracle recorded in the annals
of any religion more mysterious, more incom-
prehensibe, more inconceivable, than some Of
the well known properties of the simple met
al, iron. Consider, for instance, its change
from its ordinary, to its passive state. If a
piece of the metal in its ordinary condition is
Immersed in nitric acid, it is powerfully acted
upon, entering intocombination with the acid
and losing its metallic form. Butif piece OF
platinum wire has one end inserted in the
acid, and the iron is then immersed in con-
tact with the wire, it is SO changed that the
acid has no power upon it, and this condition
continues alter the platinum wire has been
Withdrawn. The contact of a single point
with the platinum sends transformation all
through its particles which renders them in
vulnerable TO the attacks of the most power
full acid. at a7


Even more wonderful is its change under
the influence of current of electricity
When bar Of pure, soft iron is welded with
an insulated wire and current of electricity
is sent through the wire, the bar is instantly
converted into magnet. 1t is endowed with
an unseen force which stretches out from its
ends, and seizing any other piece of iron with
in its reach, draws it to itself, and holds it in
its invincible grasp.


The object of insulating the wire is to pre-
vent the electricity from leaving it, and yet,
through this insulating coat power is exert
ed which changes so strangely the nature OF
the iron, enabling it to act on substances with
which it is not in contact. As soon as the
circling current ceases, the iron becomes like
Sampson shorn OF its locks, its miraculous
power has departed.


No less mysterious than either of these is
the more familiar phenomenon of the fall of a
piece Of iron to the ground, under the simple
action of grayitation. What is that invisible
force which reaches out in all directions from
the earth and clutches all matter in its grasp
The fibres of this power are imperceptible to
any Of our senses. If we pass our hands un-
der a suspended rock, we can feel nothing
reaching from it to the earth, yet there is
something stretching up from the earth, tax
ing hold of the rock and drawing it down
with the strength of a hundred cables! We
walk enveloped in mysteries, and "our daily
life is miracle. "-ScieHtifc Anaericau.