smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1868

CAUSE; soIStILL- -HEALTH.-It is quite


certain that man is the most daring


violator of natural law to be found in
the animal kingdom. He is not only
absolutely reckless, but persistent and
obstinate in his course of ftransgressing;
indeed, he is original and ingenious in


his methods of attack upon himself.
God has made man upright, but he has
sought out many inventions to. make
himself crooked, so that an army OF men


find constant and lucrative employ menr
in patching and mending the. bodies of
their fellow creatures Here is q. regi-
melit of men with forceps TO pull out
teeth that should last a lifetime-for
they were not made to ache, but were
given TO man to eat with. There a host
of men are using pills, powders. pIas-
teTs, and every variety of panacea to
cure the ills of the unfortunate. Do We
have reason to believe that the brute
creatioa when allowed to controlitself
and follow instinct, suffers rs we do2 Do
they bleat and below with the tooth
ache? DO they suffer from co d? Are
they afflicted with chronic ,iiscases2
Can powders and plasters be of service
to them! Why do we Weld SO easily to
fatigue, and fall 4 prey to disease so
rapidly? Can it be true chat weakness
OF body indicates strength of soul--that
Il narrow chest insures Il broad heart
that a sicllly constitution is favorable to
a sanity life--that physical indrmity is
proof Of spiritual power! 1t is ridieu-
Ions nonsense to suppose such things.
We are to love God with all our heart.
sou! and strengths; and the more heart,
soul and strength we have, the more we
can love God. The fact is we liaye al
lowed the animal to get the better of tho
ansel of onr natures. We eat too much,
and too fast. We drink too much of
that which is not aqua para. We chew,
and smoke and snuff tobacco. We go to
bed late, and get up late. We do not
get sufficient sleep, and we allow the
anXicties of life to drive us to disease.
Il chronological Journal.
Year: 1868

a petition to Congress has been got
ten up by some Radical Germans of
Boston, asking for an amendment to the
Constitution to provide for the abroga-
ton of the Office of President. and for
the appointment by Congress from
among it's own members of an executive
committee, OF other capable citizens.
The idea is that the Presidency is n sort
of remnant of royalty that should not
be eountenanced in republic.


The Radical mind at Washington is
in good condition to receive the
suggestion of this petition favorable.
The Executive is considered an obstruc-
tiOn to the proper development Of the
popular will, and therefore, as unneces-
Sary as it is mischiev and should
therefore be abolished. The scheme
contemplates that the people shall have
the power to remove their representa-
tives in Congress at any time during the
term for which they were elected. AS
we are in the midst of revolution, we
shall not be surprised if this scheme
should be one of its successful fruits.
Year: 1868

"You sympathize with me, madam;
act only with reason. The good of the
individual must yield to the good OF
France. Farewell !"


'Stop!" said she, and Joseohi step
ped quickly across the room and caught
his arm, drawing him as she did so again
to the window. ''Do you see that star!''
and she pointed at one that shone with
marked brightness. This is my destiny.
BY it you have risen. To me it has
promised throne, Through me you
have accomplished it; part from me and
you fall. Yes, fall. to die in sorrow.
neglect and exile! Remember this, Ma
poleon, and remember these words when
it is not too late to recall the act that
no words of mine can prevent"


Napoleon gazed almost in terror at
her who stood like u phrophetess gazing
out with eyes like fire upon the heavens,
and then with heart almost of sick
ness, he turned away and left the room
without q word. Hitut.s


s Ten days passed before he had the
nerve to strike the blow which broke
the golden chain that bound them, and
from that moment, as he afterwards
confessed at st. Helena, the fall of Ma
poleon began, till he died broken
hearted exile upon an island in mid
ocean, .e..rte. f.,s 4e i 1-a
Year: 1868

Tt is hardly worth willie for the radi-
Gals to talk any more about the coniis-
cation of Southern lands. Those lands
are as good Or as bad as conIiscated
already. They sell for Il mere song. \
nimble nigger i'll a favorable location
can steal enough pr0pcrigy over night
to buy forty acres of ground early the
next morning.
Year: 1868

THE ONLY HoPE.-The National In
teliigencer says:


"The only salvation for the South
and for the whole couHtry is to be found
in the possible chance that the South
ern people will reject constitutions fix
ing upon them and upon the whole
Union the despOtie rule of the Radical
party, through the establishment of ne
gro supremacy" ..
Year: 1868

A writer beautifully remarks that a
mans mother is the representative of
his Maker. Misfortunes and mere crimes
sets no barriers between her and
her son. While his mother lives man
has one friend on earth who will not
desert him when he is needy. Her
affection flows from pure fountain, and
ceases only at the ocean of eternity.
Year: 1868

The New York Herald says: But let
the Southern whites who are under the
heel of radicalism be firm, let them keep
up their courage, let them be patient
aud await the hour of their complete
redemption, which every sign portends
will occur within q twelvemonth.
Year: 1868

FROSTY WEATuER.-Fewh haze failed
to observe what q vigor and elasticity
are impaired 10 both mind and body by
Il frosty atmosphere, and what loss of
all these there is in a hot summer day:
this is probably owing to tho fact that
ut noon of any clear frosty day in
winter there is ten times as much
elasticity in the air there is at any
noon of summers; hence to all invalids
the days most valuable for exercises are
those least beneficial are where it is
warm or thundery; hence every hoar of
daylight spent in the open air in frosty
weather, in some kind OF outdoor activ-
tiles, is that much gain to the viality of
the system, impartiug vigor to the mind,
elasticity to the body, and elevation to
the moral feelings and powers of tho
man. ,.r
Year: 1868




HONESTY, There is no man but, for
his own interest, hath an obligation to
he honest. There may be sometimes
temptations TO be otherwise but, all
cards east up, he shall find it the great
est ease, the highest profit, the best
pleasure, the most safety, and the mob
lest fame, to hold the horns OF this altar,
which, in all essays, can III himself pro-
tect him. And though in the march of
human life, over the stage of this world,
Al man shall find presented sometimes
examples of thriving vice, and several
opportunities to invite him on 1em-
ing advantage to close with unhaud-
some practices, yet every one ought SO
to improve his progress in what is just
and right as to be able to discern the
fraud and feigned plc9surea bleness Of
the bad, and to choose and follow what
is good and warrantable.-0toeR Fcth-
ham. .;T t..4ay
Year: 1868

Il was touching sight to see the
worthy old day-lorbereF, worn out with
the weight of years and excess Of toll. IS
he lay on bis humble bed, TRANQUILITY
awaiting the summons which wo0ld call
him to another and happier world The
SHOWS of many a bitter winter had lent
their hueto his scanty white locks, while
remorseless time had ploughed near
ly as many burrows IN his wrinkled wealth.
er-beaten features, as he himself had
marked out IN youthful days IN his mas
ter's fields. There was nothing terrible
or tragical about such a death-bed, for
the old man was ready and willing 10
depart; but there was something path
etic in the thought that after half cent
ury of patient, unIiring toll, after a life
of perpetual endurance and self-denial,
such man should have so little to leave
behind him. His worldly goods consisted
for the most part of the humble, yet
highly-cherished heir-looms which had
been handed down by his forefalhers.
and it was to make an equitable division
of those between his two soDs that he
had especially desired my presence at
this solemn time.


John DymOnd had lost his second wife
some years before, nor had any of his
daughters survived in the period of which
| am writing'so that there was DO female
hand iu his own kIth or kin to smooth
his pillow. Reuben's wife might cert
ainly have offered to undertake the task,
but she excused herself on the ground
that she had a young family Of her own
to look after. Her place was sufficiently
supplied, however, by a amotherly widow
woman who lived in the adjoIng cottage.
When David and ] entered the sick
Year: 1868




A SUICIDAL CAT.
There was a man named Ferguson,
He lived on Market street,
He had a speckled Thomas cat
That couldn't we'll be beat
He'd catch more rats and mice, and sieh,
Than forty cats could eat.
This cat would como into the room
And climb upon a cheer,
And there he'd sit and lick hisseh
And purr so aWful queer,
That Ferguson would yell at him
But still he'd purr severe.
And then he'd climb the moon. lit fence,
And loaf around and yOwl,
And spit and claw another cat
Alongside Of the j0wl
And then they both would shake their tails,
And jump around and howl.
Oh, this here cat of Ferguson's
Was fearful then TO see
He'd yell precisely like he was
10 awful agony
You'd think first-class stomach-ache
Had struck some small baby.
And all the mothers in the street,
Walked by the horrid din.
Would rise right up and search their babes,
To find some worrying pain;
And still this vigorous catWOUld keep
4 holerin like sin,
And as for Mr. Ferguson,
Twas more than he could bear,
And be hurled his boot jack out
Right through the midnight air;
But this vociferou5 Thomls cat,
Not one cent did he cEre,
For still be yelled and kept his fur
A s;andin' up on end,
And bis old spine a doublin' up
As far as it would bend,
As if his hopes of happiness
Did on his lungs depend.
But while a e1rvin' of his spine,
And waitin' 20 attack
A cat upon the other fence,
There came an awful crack;
And this here speckled Thomas cat
Was busted in the back.
When Ferguson came down next day,
There lay his old feline.
And not q life was left iu him
Although he had had nine.
Gan this here comes" said Furguson,
"Of curvin' Of his SPINE"
Now all you men whose tend er hearts
This painful tale does rack,
Just take this moral TO yourselves,
All Of you, white and black;
Don't ever 90, like this here cat,
To gettin' up your back.
Year: 1868

SMYRNA CIRCUIT CAMP MEETING, noticed in
our last, ended on Friday morning last. It was
a grand success; better order was impossible
as there was not the least disturbance of any
kind, not even lOnd talking. We did not see
an intoxicated man on the ground. Professor
Fischer, of Philadelphia, was present with the
children on Wednesday and Thursday, and as
usual was at home; he is making many friends
hereabOuts. The preachers worked like true
followers of the Great Head mot sleeping,
smoking and talking in the marquee to the ex
tent that they did at the place where the biz
L presided, and the Governors and humble
mans daughter were found side by side). The
members Of the church from the circuit and
the surrounding stations were not slow to fol-
low the ministers in their effort to do good.
and as result there were about one hundred
and fifty converted. The Young Mems Chris
tan Association had worshiping tent on the
ground and did good service, having on Thurs
day evening one of the best meetings of the
camp. The closing services on Friday morning
were the most impressive Of the whole.


We understand that there is a movement on
loot to form union of Smyrna Circuit and
Smyrna, sliddletown and Odessa stations. for
the: purpose of purchasing woodsand holding
union camps in the future.
Year: 1868

WoRRIED.--The De!a,earean, in its last is
sue, says:


The Smyrna Times devotes a small norton
OF ITS columns each week to publishing list of
unknown soreheaded politicians and crossroads
newspapers in remote parts of the country
who have espoused the scallawag and carpet,
bag faith and are shouting for Grant and Col
fax. II the Times would look about home it
would find other work to do.


We have published these lists of prominent
individuals from time to time to show how the
popular current was tending, and had no inten-
ton of worrying the Delawaream or any other
sheet. We are well aware that such reading
Is not pleasant to our neighbor, but We cannot
discontinue the list for that reason. As to
whether we might find work of that kind at
home, we do mot know. If the Delaaoarean
knows such to be the case it must know the
parties, and we hope it will give us the list to
copy. We will proceed with our list:


In the absence Of NJ Herbert Fuller the Democrats OF BAN
Year: 1868

WONDERFUL STORY.-A wonderful story is
In circulation in this town this morning about
a man at Crisfeld who has been stricken down
for blasphemy. The story runs thus: The
man we can't learn the name) on Sunday
morning last started off very early to 90 fishing.
His wife persuaded him not to GO, insisting he
would be violating the laws of God by so doing.
The man remarked that he could 90 and ''catch
a mess of fish before Jesus Christ was awake
and proceeded to the Annamessick river On
arriving at the shore he sank down in the sand
up to his neck where he still remains, notwth-
standing every effort to extricate him by dig
ging away the sand. This has been done and
his boots out to free his feet but he still re-
mains there-as inextricable as ever.


Mr.. Wilson, our telegraph agent at CLAYTON
sent telegram last night to learn the facts in
the case and the operator at Crisfeld replied
that they were as stated above. The greatest
excitement is reported to prevail there.


We give the item as furnished us by the
railroad employees here, without vouching for
1t In any way. 1t beats the ghost story.
Year: 1868

REJOICING THAT IT WAS NOT WORSE 2
An election has Just been held in Ohio to I'LL
q vacancy in the Congressional representation
from that State, which was occasioned by the
murder of Radical Congressman by his
own son. The unfortunate deceased was
elected in 1866 by majority of three thou
sand, and at the late election another Radi-
cal was elected to fill his place by majority
of about one thousand. This magnificent
victory so elates the New York Tribune, that
it fires double-leaded editorial of at least
one hundred guns, throws up its cap and
shouts from excess of joy. Some idea Of the
thankfulness of the Radical party for small fa'
yors may be formed from this delight at hav-
ing lost only two thousand votes in single
1 Go1npressional district since the last election.


II. however, they are to lose in the same
ratio in all the other Congressional districts
at the North, at the elections of 1868, how
many Radical candidates are likely to be in
the condition of the "headless horseman ~
Why, there will not be enough of that sort
of cattle in the forty-frst Congress to put one
IN each of the " standing committees of the
house." if there are many more such victo-
ries as that which has just put Greely to dane
ing like dervish possessed OF St. Vitus.-
Richmond Enquirer.
Year: 1868

advocated the passage of the ordinance, Ae
took occasion, to say that he differed with
others in this. He believed the convention
has legislative powers the same as had been
exercised in every Convention Of this State
He considerable Convention of the people,
possessed of supreme absolute powers, and
whatever they might deem necessary for the
good of the people they had the right to 90
It. He was anxious to see this ordinance
passed, to see the last vcstige of that hybrid
monster, slavery, buried so deep in the sea
of oblivion that no resurrection air shall ever
reach it in its loathsome bed.


Much had been said about the obligation OF
contract. There was no obligation to the
contract. There was no consideration, and
therefore no contract.


Another rule that might be applied in this
case was that where wrong and great income
vcnience result from local law the latter
shall not prevail. This was local law which
had blighted the fair prospects of the fairest
portion of the country, destroyed its COM
merce, and caused desolation and poverty
everywhere. -.


In conclusion the speaker hoped the ordl-
nance would be passed by an overwhelming
majority.


The hour of three having arrived, the Con-
vention adjourned.
Year: 1868

The New York Herald thinks that eleven
dollars day is Z" royal pay for negro legsla-
tors" 1t SAYS: 4" The negro Reconstruction
Convention of South Carolina forms high
estimate of its services. The Sambos who
used to be glad to get few dollars month
for working on the cotton or rice plantations
have fixed their pay as constitution makers at
eleven dollars day and twenty cents mile
age. Our white Congressmen, who get eight
dollars day, will envy these happy blacks;
When he darkies come to Congress they will
undoubtedly endeavor to raise the dignity
and emoluments of our national legislators in
the same proportion. If negro member OF
a State Convention be worth eleven dollars a
day, what ought negro Congressman toget ?
Thirty dollars day at least. How astonished
these South Carolina negroes must be with
their extraordinary change of fortune They
can hardly realize whether they stand on
their heads or heels. To cap the climax OF
their ridiculous presumption they should have
proposed to pay the white members of the
convention half what they get themselves,
and that, after all, would be only somewhat
in proportion to the estimate in which the
two races are held in the South just now. a
white man may be nearly half as good as
negro.n
Year: 1868

H@ Available land is becoming so scarce
in Kansas that the legislature asks Congress
not to allow any one person to purchase
large tract, and to compel the railroad COM
panies to whom grants have been made, to
mt them into the market
Year: 1868

. GooD.-We understand that the ne
groes of Beech Island, S. c., and its
neighborhood, are calmly but confident
ly awaiting the division of lands, mules
and other property now held by the
whites. They understand the election
of Grant to be equivalent to q home.
stead, and nothing to do for the rest of
their natural lives. When their expec-
tations are realized and the titles to the


aforementioned property obtained we
should like to see the grant. The only
way in which any of the poor deluded
creatures will ever become possessed OF
property of any kind, which they can


hold under the light of day, will be by
the "sweat of their brow, and the time


is not far distant when this truth will be
sorrowfully, but sternly realized.-Au-
susta Constitutionalist.
Year: 1868




A TOUCH SroRy.-Theres is place
in Maine 50 rocky that whenthe ma
tives plant corn they look for crevices
in the rocks, and shoot thesgrainssin
with musket; they cant raise ducks
there no how, for the stones are SO thick
that the ducks can't get their'bills be-
tween them to pick out the grass-hop-
pers, and the only way the sheep can
get at the sprigs Of grass is by grinding
their noses on grindstone. But this
amt circumstance to place in Mary
land-there the land is SO poor that it
takes two kildeers to cry kildeer,
and on clear day you can see the
grasshoppers climb up a mulina stalk,
and look with tears over a fifty acre
field; and the bumblebees have to go
down on their knees to getat the grass !
all the mosquitoes died of starvation,
and the turkey buzzards were obliged
to cmigrate. But there is a county in
Virginia which can beat that-there
the land is so sterile when. the wind is
northwest they have to tie the children
to keep EN- from being blown away
there it takes six frogs to raise one
croak, and when the dogs bark they
have to lean against the fences-the
horses are Sc thin that it takes twelve
of them to make shadow, and when
they kill beef they have to hold him
up to knock him down -
Year: 1868

NPUpPY SNoBBED.-The resemblance
of some people to dogs is thus illustra-
ted :


Major 7. was paymaster in the ar
my, an old newspaper editor, a man Of
vast requirements and brilliant abilities.
He was on duty in Cincinnati during
the war; and for his amusement bought
a choice dog Of some kind or other (if
there is any choice among dogs:
s.. There was young man Of the genus
puppy, who had a great desire to cultl-
vate the majors acquaintance, much to
the latter's annoyance. ~


AS kind of entering wedge to q
friendship, the young fellow hit upon
the felicitous plan Of inquiring after the
majors dog whenever he met him


The latter bore it for six or eight
days, until his patience gave out.
+ At last, one morning the fellow came
up with his usual salutation


Major, how's your dog 2"


TO which the major answered prompt


ouite.well, LthanE you; how are
you?"


The question was never repeated.
Year: 1868

"STUcK IN THE MUD. Gen. Grants
father commenced a biography Of
Ulysses in which he relates the fol.
lowing feat of his boyhood


ale bet half dozen marbles with
q victim by tho name Of Marshall
that he would jump twenty-five feet
at single leap. The bet was taken,
he won it by jumping from perpen-
dicular bluff twenty-five feet high,
landing on q bed of soft mud, into
which he sunk up to his middle, where
he stuck fast until pulled cut by bis
father"


The General has a propensity for
jumping into the mud. He struck a
very soft bed in Washington, and the
Jacobins appeal to the people to pull
him out.
Year: 1868

George ID. Prentice is, perhaps, best
known as wit, punster and political
writer. But from his facile pen flows
also the sentimental and the beautiful.
The following description has lost
none of its freshness and beauty;


"About two years ago i took up my
residence for few weeksin a country
village in the eastern part Of New
England, Soon after my arrival l be-
came acquainted with a young lady,
apparently about seventeen years of
age. She had lost the idol of her hearts
purest love, and the shadows of deep
and hoy memories were resting like
the wing of death upon her brow.


first met her in the presence of the
mirthful. She was indeed, a creature
to be admired her brow was garland
ed by the young years sweetest flow
ers and her sunny tresses were hang
ing beautiful and low upon her bosom,
and she moved through the crowd
with such floating, unearthly grace
that the bewildered gazer looked
almost to see her fade away into the
airlike the,creation ofa pleasant dream.
She smiled, but there was something
in her smile which told me that its
mournful beauty was but the reflection
Of tear, and her eyelids at times
pressed heavily down, as if struggling
to repress the tide of agony that was
bursting up from her hearts secret
urn. She looked as if she could have
left the scene of festivity, and gone on
beneath the quiet stars, and laid her
forehead down upon the fresh, green
earth, and poured out her stricken
soul gush after gush, till it mingled
with the eternal fountain of purity
and life.


l have lately heard that the young
lady of whom | have spoken, is dead.
The close of her life was calm as the
falling of a quiet stream, gentle as the
sinking of the breeze that fingers for a
time round bed of withered roses,
and then dies for very sweetness.


Itcannot be that earth is mans only
abiding place. 1t cannot be that our
lite is a bubble cast up by the ocean OF
eternity, to float q moment upon its
surface, and then sink into nothing
ness and darkness forever. Else why
is it that the high and glorious aspira-
tions which leap like angels from the
temple of our hearts are forever wan
dering abroad unsatisfed Why is il
that the rainbow and the cloud come
over us with beauty that is not OF
earth, and then pass of and leave us
to muse on their faded lovelinessg Why
is it that the stars which hold their
festival around the throne are set
above the grasp of our limited facul.
ties, and forever mocking us with their
unapproachable glory' And, finally,
why is it that forms of human beauty
are presented TO the view and then Ia
ken away from us, leaving the thous.
and streams of affections to flow back
in an Alpine torrent upon our hearts !