smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1865

THRILLING INcIDENT.-IN Prussia,
recently, points man was at the juno
tion of two lines of railway, his lever
in hand, for train was signalled.
The engine was within few seconds
of reaching the embankment, when the
man, on turning his head, perceived his
little boy playing on the rails of the
line the train was to pass over. 'Lie
down." he shouted out to the child,
but as to himself he remained at his
post. The train passed on its way, and
the lives of hundred passengers were
perhaps saved. But the poor child
The father rushed forward expecting to
take up only corpse, but what was
his JOY on finding that the boy had at
once obeyed his order-he had lain
down, and the whole train had passed
over him without injury. The next
day the King sent after the man, and
attached to his breast the medal for
civil courage.
Year: 1865

Born SArIsFIEp.-A man by the
name of Land, living in Illinois, was
presented by his wife, of a fine boy.
They were long in a quandary as to
what they should name him. The man,
being rabid secessionis., was wont to
call him after a Southern General,
while on the other hand, the wife, being
Union, was desirous that her offspring
should be named after some Union Gen
eral. They finally patched up com
promise, the wife to give the first name,
and the husband the second, to be an
initial. The wife was not long in ma
king up her mind, and christened him
Dix Land, as she said General Dix was
her favorite among the Union heroes.
Her husband, who was somewhat of a
wag, said his choice among the rebels
was Early, and the boys name should
be Dix E. Land. The wife wilted.
Year: 1865

There was fellow once stepped out ofthc
door OF a tavern on the Mississippi, mean
ing to walk mile up the shore to the next
tavern. just at the landing there lay big
raft, one of the old fashioned whalers, raft
Il mile long.


Well, the fellow heard the landlord say
the raft was mile long, and he said unto
himself 81 will go forth and see this great
wonder, and let mine eyes behold the timber
which the hand OF man hath hewn." SO
he got on at the lower end and began to am
bulate over the wood in pretty fair time
But just as he started, the raft started too,
and as he walked up the river it walked
down, both travelling at about the same rate
When he got to the end Of the sticks, he
found they were pretty near the shore and
in sight Of II tavern; so he landed and walked
straight into the tavern he d come out of.
The general samcncss Of things took him a
little ahack, but he looked the landlord steady


"Publican,' said he, ''are you gifted with
airy twin brother who keeps similar sized
tavern, with Il duplicate wife, II comporting
wool pile, and corresponding circus bills, a
mile off from here p


The tavern keeper was fond of fun and
accordingly said that it was Just 50.


And Publican, have you among your
dry goods anything for the entertainment of
man and horse, any whiskey Of the same size
as that of your brother 81"


And the tavern man said, that from the
rising of the sun to the going down of the
same, he had.


They took drinks, when the stranger said.


Publican, that twin brother Of yours is Il
mighty fine mana very fine man indeed.
But do you know am afraid he suffers Il
good deal with the Chicago diptheria. y


And what that?" asked the landlord.


Its when the truth settles so firm in n
man that none of it ever comes out, Com
mon doctors Of the catnip sort, call it lyin
When left your brothers confectionery,
there was raft at the door, which he swore
his life to, was mile long. Well, Publican,
| walked that raft from bill to tail, from his
door to yourn. Now | know my time, an
| am just AS good for myself as for hoss,
and better for that than any man you ever
did see. always walk mile, on a good
road, in twenty minutes, and I'll be busted
with an overloaded lnjun gun if I've been
more than ten minutes comm here, and
steppin' over the blamed logs at that. "
Year: 1865

A boy sixteen years of age was brought
before the police court, Paris, charged with
stealing and begging in the public street
He was bright, fine looking boy, but very
poorly clad, and when brought before the
judge he fell upon his knees and begged not
to put him in prison; that his mother was
sick and starving, and that alone had driv-
en- him to steal; that he could not find work
and if he was imprisoned til disgrace would
kill his poor mother The Judge seemed
somewhat moved by the boy story, but he
nevertheless, after hearing the evidence,
finally condemned him to six weeks i'm
prlsonment.


AS the boy was being led away, poor
woman, pale covered with rags, and her
hair in disorder, forced her way through
the crowd, and, tottering up to the boy,
passed one arm around him; and then turn
ing to the judge, pushed back her long black
hair, and exclaimed; "Do you not recog.
nize me! Thirteen years passed since you
deserted me, leaving me alone with my child
and my shame; but have not forgotten
YOU, and this boy, wnom you have condemns
ed is your son


You may imagine the effect this an
nouncemont produced on bystanders. The
Judge in a loid voice, ordered the woman
to be carried from the court, and then lef
it himself; but joined the poor creature ii
the street, and carried her and the boy of
IN Garage.
Year: 1865

BREvTTY. IF you would be pungent be
brief for it is with words as with sunbeams
the more they are condensed, the deeper
they burn.


BEAR WITH ANoTHERs FAUITs--The
great secret is to learn to bear with each
Others faults; not to be blind to them--that
is an impossibility or folly.


FRIGHT.-lt may not always be possible
for the mind to brace itself against the
shocks and jarsof physical alright any more
than for the sailor to steady his hammock
in the gale.


Books. Many people approve no books
but such as are representatives Of their own
opinions or passions; they read not to have
nature reflected on them, and so be taught
to know and love everything, but to be re-
tcctcd themselves as in pocket mirror,
and so exchange admiring looks with their
own narrow cast of countenance.


FEELING Low measures of feeling are
better than ecstacies for ordinary life
Heaven sends its rains in gentle drops, else
the flowers would be beaten to pieces.


INVIDlOUsNEss Envy is surrounded on
all sides by the brightness of another $
prosperity, as the scorpion, confined within
IA circle of fire, will sting itself to death.


HABTs. Habits influence the character
pretty much as under currents influence a
vessel and whether they speed us on the
way Of our wishes or rctard our progress,
their effect is not the less important because
imperceptible.


THE MORNING CLOUD. When we think
that the morning cloud is like life, we are
sad, but when we see it waiting in royal
array at Gods western gate, we are glad
again, for we think how beautiful may be
dying.


THE RANK. If you step out of ranks the
crowd may pass on; the vacant space may
be occupied; and you never may be able to
find your place again. There are more men
than there are holes, and the holes get
filed up.
Year: 1865

has been discovered that an English
highway robber newly invented instrument
la! lately been brought to this country,
which Is one OF tho most dangerous weap-
ons the internal genius of criminal brain
has ever invented. 1t is called the Sand
club, and its use is almost certain to pro.
ducc death. 1t is made of strong canvass,
IN the shape of a club, about twenty inches
long, and from six to eight inches in circum-
ference. The bag or club is filed with
closely packed fine sand, and weighs from
five to ten pounds, and has great adyonta-
ges over the ordinary club or bludgeon,
brass knucklcs or slung shot. 1t will not
rebound after blow is struck, and it leaves
no mark or bruisc When the victim is
struck on the top of the head, and there is
where the sand club is dire ctcd, he instant
ly sin Ks to the pavement without a strug-
gle, the result of conclusion to the brain,
and not even bruise, which any ordinary
blunt instrument makes, is to be discover
ed on the scalp of the victim after the sand
club has performed its fearful mission. A
few of these instruments have already been
found in the possession of desperate charac.
ters, and their use and history confessed to
the police.


A victim of one of these sand clubs might
be found dead in the street the next morn
ing anu no uOuDU une verdict OF coroner
Jury would be Cause of death unknown
or Died of apoplexy The highway r6bber
has various methods of carrying out his pur-
pose. If he is anything of fancy charac-
ter, he usually dresses pretty well, and talks
with some degree of intelligence and pleas
antry. He haunts the theaters and drink
ing saloons, and his victims are young men
who carry more money and jewelry than
brains, and who go out for lark or he
selects some soldier or sailor who has re-
ceived his pay. lie makes the acquaint-
ance of one of these, if pussiblc drinks
with him and invites him to drink-and
when he is sufficiently under the influence
of liquor, he gets him out on the street, and
when there are no passers-by to be seen, he
suddenly turns upon and knocks him down
and robs him, and hurries away with his
plunder.


When he cannot make his victims ac-
quaintance he dogs him about, and may
have a confederate, and when he turns into
some back street he hastily steps up behind
him, and as he turns, deals him fearful
blow which staggers him, and his confeder-
ate then obtains the plumber. r.-Ne,o York
NetcS.
Year: 1865

Let your daughters cultivate music by all
means, Every woman who has an aptitude
for singing should bless God for the gift,
and cultivate it with diligence; not that she
may dazzle strangers or win applause from
crowd, but that she may bring gladness to
her own fresde. The influence of music in
strengthening the affections is far from be-
ing perceived by many of its admirers a
sweet melody binds all hearts together as it
were with golden chord !; it makes the
pulse beat with unison and the heart thrill
with sympathy. But the music of the fire
dss not ss REQUIRE "S P bPncy a of
tenderness of feeling; merry tune for the
young subdued strain for the aged but
none Of the noisy claptrap which is popular
i'm publc.
Year: 1865

A man, unless he happens to be devil
lncarnate, very soon gets tired of killing
those whom he can see Even the surgeon
who is dlSsecting corpse covers up the face
of his subject. Its eyes have sunk their fire
into the abyss of death, but they are still
human eyes. To mark the death gaze OF
the slaughtered, the poor fellow who never
did us harm-to feel our feet slippery in his
blood-to have his blood squirt on our
hands, and his hot brains brush into our face
this kind of business very soon sickens
and rcyolts the braveSt soldier When you
have seen few men dashed and shot to
death, my Christian triend-my melodious
field and the "embattled strife my mclli,
lluous pastor, with your high sounding elo
quence about the God ofbattles' you viii
think as do.


MayhapS you may come to acknowledg,
how comparatively tender and mercitul ar,
the men in shoulder-strap whose trade it il
to kill, and how often the gorge of the soul
rises at their dreadful calling. Turn to tn,
Book of Maccahees, and read that one tre
mendous pregnant passagc--that one line
And Nicanor lay dead in harness. Whcl
you have seen him thus, laying stark anC
stiff, his brave clothes all dabbled in gore
his mouth wide open, grinning, awful, tn
bloody foam of his lips dried into n purpl
crust, and the camp tollowers--the Thenar,
of the army-crecping up to rifle his pocket
and draw off his boots and cut off his rim
finger, and smash his jaw for the sake of hi
false teeth, you may form some idea abou
the romance of war;" very different frou
those you have previously entertained.
Year: 1865

When farmer knows that the Winter
season is the time to prepare bar-posts and
repair all kinds of farming implements, Why
don't he do it?


When farmer knows that wagons and
sleds and seighs and carriages, will last
great deal longer when properly housed,
Why don't he do it?


When n farmer knows that cows will do
better on less quantity of feed if properly
stabbed through the Winter, Why don t he
do it?


When a farmer sees the boards dropping
from his barns and out buildings, and knows
that it would take only few minutes to nail
them on again, Why don't he do it?


When u farmer knows that good part OF
his farm would be improved by plowing it
in narrow lands-thus giving the water a
chance to drain off, Why don he do it


When farmer knows that most of his
plow land would be greatly improved by
sowing clover, Why don't he do it ?
Year: 1865

A man tn Cortland county raised porker
of such unusual size that strangers went out
of their way to see it, One of them met
an old gentleman and inquired about the
animal.


wall, yes" the old fellow said said;
'he'd got such a critter, nifty big nm; but
he guessed he d have to charge him about
shilln' for looking at him.


The stranger looked at the old man for a
minute or SO ; pulled out the desired coin
and handed it to him and then started to
so off.


''Hold on" said the other; don't you
want to see the hogY"


mo said the stranger, 81 have seen
as big a hog as | want to see = and off
he went.
Year: 1865

One is the kind that appear best abroad
the girls that are good for parties, rides,
visits, balls, etc, and whose chief delight is
in such things the other is the kind that
appears best at home-the girls that are
useful and cheerful in the dining room, the
sick room, and all the precincts of home.
They differ widely in character. One is of
ten torment at home--the, other bless
ing; one is moth consuming everything
about her--the other is sunbeam, inspir-
ing life and gladness all along, her pathway.
The right education will modify both lit
tie and unite their good qualities in one.
Year: 1865

Farmers who make the most rapid i'm
provement in husbandry are likely to be
those who read most on the subject of their
vocation. For the man who reads little, no
matter what his vocation is, will be likely
to think little, and act with reference to
tradition received from generations, or else
in imitation of what is going on about him.
There is always hope of man who loves
reading, study and reflection.
Year: 1865

First Tie the dog on his back in gate
way and drive flock of sheep over him.


Second Fasten him between two stout
rams, the three abreast, and let them race
him about the field awhile.


Third. Cut off the dog $ head.


A German says that he knows the two
former methods to be effectual. We know
the last to be so.
Year: 1865

Heigh-ho! for a husband-high-ho!
There's danger in longer delay!
Shall l never again have n beau?


VIII nobody marry me, pray?
begin to feel strange, declare!


With beauty my prospects will fade !
I'd give myself up to despair


III thought should die an old maid
once cut the beaus in huff:


thought it sin and a shame
That no one had spirit enough


To ask me to alter my name;
so turned up my nose at the short,
And rolled up my eyes at the tall;
But then just did it in sport,


And now I'VE no lover at all!
These men are the plague of my life;
'Tis bard from so many to choose.
Should one ofthcm wish for n wife.


Could have the heart to refuse?
L don't know, for none have proposed.
dear me? I'm frightened, | vowl
Good gracious !-whoever supposed
That should be single till now!
Year: 1865

George Augustus Saa says In all Sc
robustness and sincerity | render to the
young ladies of America the tribute of being
the most accomplished takers in the world
Their readiness of diction, their facile flow
of ideas, their quickness of apprehension,
are really and truly astonishing. We are
glad that George can find something to ad-
miro in America.
Year: 1865

A SINGULAR TRADITION.-AmoDg the
Seminole Indians there is singular ira
dition regarding the white mans origin
and superiority. They say that when the
Great Spirit made the earth, he also made
three men, all of whom were fair complex
ioned and that after making them, he
led them to the margin of small lake, ,and
bade them leap in and wash. One obey
cd, and came out of the water pure and
fairer than before the second hesitated a
moment, during which time the water,ag-
itated by the first, had become muddied ,
and when he bathed be come up copper
colored the third did not leap in until
the water became blck with mud, and he
came out with his own color. Then the
Great Spirit laid before them three pack,
ages, and out of pity for his misfortune in
color, he gave the black man the first
choice. He took hold of each OF the pack.
ages, and having felt the weight, choose
the heaviest the copper-colored man ther
choose the next heaviest, leaving the white
man the lightest. When the packages
were opened the first was found to contain
spades, hoes and all the implements ola
Dor T; the second unwrapped hunting fish
ing and warlike apparatus the third gave
the white man peRs and paper, the en-
gines of the mind-the means of mutual
mental improvement, the social link o
humanity, the foundation of the white
mans superiority.
Year: 1865

The eixtyhrst anniversary OF the founding Of the
New York Historical Society celebrated at lie hal
Inst evening An address was delivered by the Pres
dent, Mr. Frederick DO Pcyster upon "Thc moral and
intellectual influence Of libraries upon human pro-
gressn The proceedings were commenced by prayer
by the Rev John Cotton Smith, after which the Preei
dent commenced hts address, which was listened TO
throughout with great attention by the learned sdudns
present


The speaker in opening his address reverted 70 the
events which had transpred since the last meeting OF
the society. The city Of New York had met the obga


tons which had been laid upon her and had sent forth
her sons as many well fought battle held could testify
70 uphold its republican institutions and the supremacy
of the federal government They had maintained the
Trrceless integrity OF the Union.


The PROJECT 10 establish historical museum gallery or
art has been authorized by the Legislature. special
committee was appointed last May TO make the Deces
say and proper arrangements with the commissioners to
procure plan ot the contemplated improvements and
on estimate oi the cost The committee appointed have
been successful and grant Of about five acres ground
IN the Park obtained having frontage on Fifth avenue
OF five hundred and fifty feet the ground being free
from all taxes IL "a the intention OF this society TO
place in the museum all the books maps charts manu-.
scripts and other rare and valuable curiostes belong
ing TO the society, In this structure.


The speaker then showed that the Introduction of
ment Of civilization The moral and religious influences
of libraries were found 10 preserving young men from
vice and evil Influences by placing within their reach the
works OF our great authors He concluded by saying
that New York exercises vast influence upon the whole
country az being the great emporium otradc and the
OF learning this continent and hoped 10 sec more
public libraries founded In this city.


vote OF thanks was gwen 10 the speaker, after
which J3jor General RoeecIaDs was introduced and
made few happy emarke
Year: 1865

IT is curious thing that among the Rus
SLAMS the father and mother of an infant not
only cannot stand as sponsors TO it. but they
are not allowed to be present at its baptism.
The godfather and godmother, by answering
for the child, become related to it and to each
other, and lady and gentleman who have
stood sponsors to the same child are not al
lowed to marry each other. In christening. the
priest takes the child, which is quite naked.
and holding it by the head so that his thumb
and finger stop the ori6ces of the ears. he dips
it thrice into the water be cuts off portion
of the hair, which he twists up with little
wax from the taper, and throws it into the
fout then, amounting the baby's breast, hands
and feet with the holy oil, and making the
sign of the cross with the same on the FORE
head, he concludes BY q prayer and benedic'
tiou
Year: 1865

TnE camel and the dromedary may be stud
led to the greatest advantage 10 Egypt. Ara
bia. and part of Asia Minor. 10 those coun-
tries there is no animal so useful as the camel,
and nowhere is there more beautiful object
than the dromedary, when saddled and Gov.
cred with it's fantastic trappiDgs. The latter
is not creature with two humps, such as the
Bactrian camel is supposed to be. but an ami
NAL of the same kind as the camel. OF more
slender proportions, and exclusively used for
riding. The camel on the contrary, is large
and powerful creature, used for carrying heavy
burdens. The dromedary may be appropri-
ately compared to the race horse, the camel to
the draught horse. The most beautiful drom-
edaries belong generally to the pachas and
men of wealth. They are then well fed and
kept thoroughly clean. and they have been
known TO run from sunrise to sunset, with lit
tie or no rest Draught camels are frequently
Joined together in line, the head of one being
attached TO the tail of the one before it.
Twenty or more thus joined together may oi-
ten be seen crossing the desert, laden with mer-
chandise and other burdens The time for
herdng camels is in the months Of February
and March. During this season they are both
vicious and dangerous, biting even their own
masters, and not letting go their hold unless
some one is at hand TO beat them of.
Year: 1865

The New York Tribuue, in long ar.
ticle in relation 10 the mistake which
farmers make in rushing their wool into
market after tho present fashion, depre-
Gates the custom, as it deprcsses the prl'
ccs, compels the manufacturer and dealer
10 20 into the money market, and in.
crease its discount, and this in the end
has to come out Of his pocket. If be
will keep his wool out Of the market, says
the Tribune, till such time as it is wanted,
he will then have all the advantages Of
the increased demand, and can have that
money in his own pocket, which the
money lenders obtain, and that gain
which spectators make. If his wool is
in good condition he need have DO fear
but be will obtain fair price, and that a
iudicious discrimination will be made
between the good and bad. He may be
sure Of this-that it will not be sunk to
the level Of the bad conditioned. He
will 6nd in this course better protec.
tive tariff than any Legislature can en-
act. Leave it to him who washes his
wool at gallop, shears it at gallop, but
stuffs it at leisure and ties it with pa
,icnce, to sell it at gallop-wherc and
when it cannot be examined. To him
whose object it is to obtain heavy aeeces
We have little to say, for be knows buy
ers are ordered to shun his ncighbor.
hood. He does not produce that kind
of fleece to impose upon the wool buyer,
but to take advantage Of the credulity
of the farmer and induce him to pay
high price.f bis ewes and rams.
Year: 1865

INrEREsrrNG ORGANIC DIscovERrEs.-
The Montana { (Nesada) Post, Of Novem-
Der 1l,h, reports the discovery Of remark
ably interesting remains which indicate
The occupation Of that portion Of Ameri-
ca by race of giants, now extinct. A jaw
bone has been found, 10 perfect preserva-
ton by petrifaction, which is almost
double the size Of the human jaw bone.
Not tooth was lost from the jaw, but
they were much worn by mastication.
This bone and other portions of the skol-
eton which were found with it, show that
the person must have been not less than
ten and a half feet in height, and was
probably twelve feet. X


In the vicinity Of this discovery there
were also found teeth aud jaw bone Of
what must have been nm immense animal,
one measuring between eight and nine
inches in height, and the crown or top
measuring six inches across. t eif