smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

LAST December United States five twenty
bonds were quoted in the London market at 74s
They are now quoted at s32. This improvement
in our credit abroad is due to the honesty of the
Republican party. The faith of the nation is
pledged to the payment of its bonds in gold, and
there is an end Of the financial quackery which
has been practced during the last two wears.
Year: 1869

RAMIE.-A new textile plant called ramie is
attracting considerable attention from farmers,
especially those of the Southern States A
number of plantations in Louisiana and Missis-
sppi are devoted to its culture this year instead
of cotton. Rame belongs to the nettle family
the lint or fibre used for cloth is the inside bar


obtained, as flax is, by breaking or otherwise
getting rid of the stalk. 1t yields two or three
times as much as cotton per acre and requires
less cultivation. 1t does not give cloth as
smooth TO the touch rs cotton but for all outside
clothing, and especially for musins it is said to
De superior to cotton or linen and to last a LONG
time. AT present the raw material sells in Lon-
don for sixty cents pound. Among other adj
vantages claimed for it, it can be harvested and
handled by machinery and the cultivator need
only obtain cuttings to engage in its production.
Year: 1869

lsDIAN FIGHT IN HuMBoLDr.-We learn from
the Humboldt Times that shortly after the attack
upon Mrs Bowman and her family, on Eel river.
above Camp Grant, party of three soldiers and
some friendly Indians came upon small band
of hostile redskins somewhere in the neicbbor-
mood oil Larrabee creek. The latter were So.
creted in the brush, and the Only way to dis
lodge them was BY charging upon their hiding
place. Inns was accordingly determined upon,
one OF tue soldiers leading the charge When
the attacking party approached sufficiently near,
the hidden enemy opened upon them, where.
upon the Indian allies and two of the soldiers
laced about and fed. The poor fellow who led
the attack was thus left to contend single-handed
with the foe; and became an easy victim TO the
red devils he was rushing upon. The name Of
me brave but unfortunate soldier is not Given
Year: 1869

LIGHT FOR ALL.-On Tuesday night, for
the first time in its history, Manchester had
it's streets illuminated. Kerosene oil is
used, and the light is very brilliant and will
doubtless improve. Many are disposed to
view this new improvement as useless ex-
pense, but we are glad to see it, and trust
that it is but the forerunner of many more
needed reforms. The lighting and cleaning
of the lamps entail considerable amount
of arduous labor on our police force.


CoNcERT.-Very active preparations have
been for some time going on for the concert
and festival proposed to be given during the
coming week by the ladies connected with
the Baptist and Presbyterian churches OF
this place. These ladies, who are az fait
in matters of this kind, promise rich treat
to all who will honor them with a call.
NoTEs.-Inquiry having been made as to
when the trustees meet, we answer that we
are unable to tell. and can't find any one
who can.


Whose business is it to fix the bridge over
the canal near the paper-mill? 1t needs it
at once.


Has the street-contractor resigned? The
cutters are full Of mud, and the streets
ditto
Year: 1869

SUICIDE IN AAEL1A.-C. W. Fitzgerald,
formerly partner in business house Of
this city, committed suicide in Amelia
county on Tuesday last. He put the muzzle
Of gun to his right temple, and firing it
off with tobacco stick, the whole load OF
shot entered his head. No reasons are as
signed for the rash act, but we hear that for
some time past the deceased had been very
much depressed about the condition Of the
country, and was in the habit of looking on
the dark side.


Mr.. Fitzgerald was at one time clerk Of
Nottoway county. In Richmond he was
known as member Of the firm of Eegle-
ston & Fitzgerald, commission merchants
He was considered man of means.
Year: 1869

MASONIC BUILDING AssoCIATIoN.-A meet
ing of the Directors Of the Masonic Building
Association, which has recently erected the
tine building on Main and Third streets
known rs st. Adams Hall, was held on Sa-
turday last. We understand that when the
whole capital stock is taken up it will fully
pay the debt existing on the building; and
that meeting of the stockholders will be
held on Saturday evening to take measures
to effect that object. The shares of stock
will be placed at S25, and we trust that our
citizens generally will see that it is wholly
taken up, and thus secure to the city the
use of the fine concert hall thus afforded.
Year: 1869

CoKE.-No one In Virginia has done more than
Mr. jon ATKINS In developing the mineral re-
sources of Virginia. He is probably consulted
more about coke-mlning than any one else In the
mining districts of Virginia. lie Is now working
the Burfoot Mines, and Is sending to this market
one OF the best articles Of soft coke ever raised.
1t is an admirable fuel and may be used In an
open CRATE or stove as 1t does not pop. All who
have used this coke speak Of 1t In the highest
Year: 1869

We publish the following certificate that our
readers may know where they can obtain whis-
key so highly recommended for family and medi-
cinal use and at such moderate priceviz., 3d. SO
per gallon. They make liberal discount to deal
Year: 1869

The New York Times in a tone of vim
dictlve scorn, speaking OF the Legisla-
ture of Georgia, says:


Since they dare show themselves in
insolent disregard of the Congressional
will, what is more natural or proper than
that some stern action should be invok-
ed to extirpate lingering rebellion and
so Teshape the affairs of reconstructed
State that those who hunger and thirst
after office and its emOlumentS may be
satisfied ln such a cause the end Will
Justify even Objectionable means.
But concludes that fire and birthstone
should not be administered too hastily,
inasmuch as the failure to ratifv came
from the Republican side Of the House,
and says:


I 1t is clear, therefore, that the effort
to make the fate of the amendment in
the State pretext for impugning the
thoroughnesS of its reconstruction, and
subjecting it anew to the penalties of a
Provisional Government and the uucer-
taiutieS of Congressional action, is in
the circumstances ineXcuSable. The
State would have at this moment ap,
peared as accepting instead of rejecting
the amendment, had the whole body OF
Republican Senators done their duty
In the House, where the Democrats are
in the ascendant, it was adopted; by
the Senate, where Republicans compose
the majority, it was killed by indefinite
delay. viii the members of the Recon
struction committee and the members
of the Senate Judiciary committee, who
favor the Edmunds bill, be good enough
to consider this aspect of the casef
Year: 1869

The Word notices perfect epidemic
of negro rapes just now. They are
doubtless gotten up to effect the ratifi'
cation of the Fifteenth Amendment.
They indicate what the negro can do
when his wrath is kindled bu: little.
Refuse him the ballot and then look for
his lustful demonstrations all along the
line of civilization. On the other hand,
what vigorous voter must be "the
man aud brother" who fuds pleasant
sport in the most abominable of crimes.
1t is difficult to imagine an election
which a person so earnest and persistent
would not carry. By all means, give
him the ballot.
Year: 1869




A queer wedding came off in -
township, in this county, Mr.. Is. Miller
figuring as groom and Miss Amanda
Bartley as the bride. The minister who
was to blend two hearts and lives into
one was young and inexperienced in the
matrimonial business, and, it is surmis-
ed. approached his task with great
deal of diffidence and nervous trepida.
tion. When he arrived on the scene of
action he found tn" happy couple
standing at the pump in the
yard talking about their ap-
! preaching union. He at once pro.
posed marrying them then and there,
and declared that he would not marry
them at all unless he was permitted TO
perform the ceremony right off. Here
was fix The parties were ready, but
| they were outside the house. The
guests, also, were ready, but they were
inside the house, and unless a conncc-
| tion was formed between the outsiders
and the insiders, it would be rather dry
work for the latter. But the youthful
divine was ineXorable, and the happy
couple finally stood upon the pump
platform and were soon made man
and wife. The youug minister
then made a bee-lino for home,
while the happy couple, re-
turning to the house, announced to their
wondering friends what had befallen
them. After the wonder and surprise
had abated, and the wedding feast been
disposed of, came the task of putting
the bride and groom to bed, rs was the
fashion in olden times. In disrobiug
the bride there was some difficulty, as
some of the garments had very brief
narrative, and finally the groom got mad
and informed the oticious associates
that they could attend to ali them little
affairs themselves, and hoped they would
at once be permitted to do so. The as.
sistants took the hint, backed out, the
curtain fell, and thus ended this queer
we eddiuC.
Year: 1869

1t is stated that the Pacific railroad
lacks but twenty-six miles of compile
tion. The gap will soon be closed, and
by the time warm weather is upon us it
is thought that trains will be running
through from ocean 10 ocean. The
change upon the affairs of the country
which the completion of this mighty
thoroughfare will effect, viii! be a won
drous one, aud business men would do
we'll tn consider it
Year: 1869

half Of the female portion of our population are
seldom in the enjoyment Of good health, or, to
use their own expression, never feel we'll"
They are languid, devoid of all energy, extreme
ly nervous and have no appetite.


10 this class of persons the BITTERS, or the
TONIC, is especially recommended.


WEAK AND DELICATE CHILDREN


Are made strong by the use of either of these
remedies. They will cure every case Of MA
RASMUS, without fail.


Thousands of certificates have accumulated
in the hands of the proprietor, but space will
allow Of the publication of but few. Those
il will be observed are men of note, and of sucb
standing that they must be believed.
Year: 1869

CHURCH INTERRUPTIoNs-A preacher in
Kentucky, who was often annoyed by the habit
of people leaving church before the conclusion
of the service, determined to break the prac-
tice up. So one day he was drawing his bow
at a venture" when nice young man started
out. But A, without lowering his voice,
cried out:


"A word with you, young man. You shall
not interrupt the congregation by going out in
time of service" Then, pausing a moment,
he said: Now, remember, took man to
task over at Shawnee Run for going out, and,
brethren and sisters. what do you think he
turned out to be? What they call lunatic !
So go on, young man, maybe you arc one of
them sort.


After a while two or three young women
started out, and he let out at them thusly:


Young ladies, it amt good manners to
walk out while preaching is going on. - But.
pausing a moment, he exclaimed: Go on, L
forgot at the moment that it was watermelon
time"


There was no more going out that day.
Year: 1869

A MUTUAL SELL.-1here is a story going
the rounds of the bOudOirs of Paris about a
handsome man, fifty years of age and well pre-
served, and with only one intirmity-a glass
eye. One evening" having no other engage
ment, he accepted an invitation to reception
at Madame Saint lldetonse de PierOviles- s
Our hero went to the ball and devoted himself
exclusively to a beautiful young blonde, who
attracted the attention of all the company.
He fell so in love with the young lady at first
sight that he made her an offer on the spot
A marriage was arranged, and celebrated in
due time. On retiring to rest, before remOv-
ing his eye, he extinguished the light. The
next morning, as soon as twas light, our hand
some bridegroom reached forth his arm, seized
the cherished orb, which he had put into
glass of water, and replaced it in its orbit. AS
soon as he was dressed he went to see friend
in town. On seeing him his friend gave cry
of surprise.


"Perhaps you find me changed, said our
friend. . 1t is my happiness. Think of it,
my friend | am married to the most charm
ing blonde-such hair such eyes !"


"Blue eyesY'


"Of course, as she is a blonde. Ii you
could only see her eyes ~


Il see one of them now and if your memory
fails you, you have only to look IN the glass to
see it before you


The bridegroom rushed to the mirror. Oh,
horrors his right eye was black and full of
fire, but his left eye was blue, languishing and
tender. In the glass of water there were two
eyes but they did not belong to the same per
son.


The newly married couple separated with
out viiifying each other, but not without
changing eyes.
Year: 1869

TRUTH.- In order that all men may be taught
to sneak the truth, it is necessary that all like
wise should learn to hear it; for no species OF
falsehood is moIe frequent than fattery, to which
the coward is betrayed by fear, and the depen-
dent by interest. Those who are neither ser
vile nor timorous are yet desirous to bestow
pleasure and while yet unjust demands con-
tinue to be made, there will always be some
whom hope, fear, or kindness will dispose to
pay for them.
Year: 1869

That was smart girl who consoled herself
with the thought that the same wind which
disturbed crinoline blew dust into the eyes OF
wicked young men who were standing on the
corner to observe the effect.
Year: 1869

A Paris journal says it has been discovered
that if the blades of cutting tools are STEPPED
in an acid solution composed Of sulphurc acid
and water, in the proportion OF one OF the for
mer to twenty Of the latter, they Will become as
flushed on the hone the length of immersion
must be augmented, we are told, according. to
the fnene, of the edge required, but nothing
is said about the length of time required. AT
any rate, tits an experiment any one can try.
Year: 1869

TIE SUPREME CoUWr.-It is stated that
Judge Grer, of Pennsylvania, has under con-
sideration an intention to retire from the bench
of the United States Supreme Court, and
already the radical papers are picking out his
probable successor. The absorption Of the
Supreme bench always has been prominent
feature in the programme of the radical party,
and there will no doubt be struggle to see
who shall occupy Judge Griers place, who
was appointed under democratic adminIstra-
ton (Polk's). Judge Hoar, Of Massachusetts,
is already spoken Of as his successor, but as
there is already Judge on the Supreme
bench from New England Judge Clifford il
Is not unlikely the mantle will fall upon the
shoulders of some worthy man from another
section--not improbably the South.
Year: 1869

City Politics-TLe Duty OF the Tammany


Chief.


The close of the past week may be said to
have terminated the usual summer vacation
taken annually by large portion Of OUT cit-
zens. The long lull in business is at last
broken. The mansions of uptown residents,
after undergoing the rejuvenating touch of
painter, paper hanger and upholsterer, are
being once more thrown open to the light Of
day. The shops and stores, which have worn
so deserted an appearance of late, are once
more beginning to be thronged with purchasers.
The fashionable churches are opening
their doors, and the voices of the
sensational preachers Of the day are
again being heard from pulpit and rOstrum.
In the places that know them throughout all
the rest of the year there are, when they
betake themselves to their favorite summer
retreats. no absences more keenly felt perhaps
than those of the politicians. When in their
proper atmosphere they are ever either in the
heat of a conflict or preparing for one. Their
field of contest is the whole city. Bands of
music, discharges of cannon, firing of rockets
and all the commotion and excitement Incl
dent to popular gatherings precede and at
tend the political contest For the past
month Tammany has not spoken, and its
silence is felt all over the city. But the cleo
ton draws near, and the time for action has
arrived. In a few days more Peter Bismarck
Sweeny, the great Tammany chieftain, will
boyo rofurnod from hia Euronaon trin opJ tho
whole political world Of New York will be
stirred to its centre. There are many important
| offices to be filed; but before single indi-
vidual of his party can dare to present himself
for the sufrages of his fellow citizens he must
first receive the nomination of Tammany-th that
is, Of Mr. Sweeny. Under these circum-
stances il is exceedingly fortunate that the
| great democratic body of New York is pre-
sided over by so able and astute leader. In
the control of the municipal government he
has no rival and no opponent, and, welding
the power thus in his hands with Judgment
and wise discretion, he can, If he likes, pre-
sent to the citizens as the nominees Of his
party for the various offices to be filed in the
coming election men of approved worth and
acknowledged competency. 1t will be OF
very little moment to what party organization
this or that candidate belongs so long as he
possesses those requisites for office. There is
wide field in the city to select from to fill tn
vacancies on the bench and in the police and
city justiceships. A Tammany nomination to
any of these Offices being virtually an election
and tantamount to an appointment by the
Tammany Chief why not make those appoint
ments from the best material, aud apart from
and Independent of the professional political
Office -huntersp This Is question that Mr..
Sweeny, when he resumes the duties OF his
post as chief slate maker for Offices in the city
government, would do well to reflect upon, and
TO present to the public wise solution. The
whole matter Of these Offices is in his own
hands, and there we leave it for the present
Year: 1869

HAVING JUST PURCHASED A VERY CHOICE


LOT OF FALL GOODS.
wEIsvITB OUR FRIENDS TO GIVE Us CALL


AND WE
WILL USE OUR BEST RHDBAyoRs TO PLEASE
ALL WHO MAY HONOR US WITH THEIR


PA1 HOMAGE.
THE BEST OF WORK AND MODERATE
CHARGES is OUR MOTTO,
oo6 s0lm
Year: 1869

1t is not those who read the most who
acquire most knowledge, any more than
it is those who eat the most, grow the
most obese. Digestion has a great
deal to do in both cases. Excessive
reading is as bad a habit as excessive
eating. 1t one overloads the stomach,
the other overloads and stupefes
the mind, and renders it incapable of
retaining what it has received. The
mind cannot properly dispose of a mass
of reading on various subjects hastily
crammed into it, any more than the
stomach can digest mass Of food Of
different kinds crammed into it. The
knowledge which is merely received by
the mind vanishes like a dream; but
the knowledge that is not only received
but elaborated, appropriated, and assim-
Hated by reflection becomes q part Of
the intellectual man as truly as digested
and assimilated food becomes tissue in
the physical man. Many persons who
read hastily and read a great deal,
wonder that they forget SO mu-h, and
charge the fault TO failing memory.
But the memory is not to blame. The
trouble is, they cram knowledge into
their minds much faster than their
minds can we'll appropriate it, and the
abused memory is bound, in self-defense,
to disgorge the whole load. 1t is this
class of readers who boast of their abil.
ity to get through" an elaborate novel
from the pen OF fsst-rate author in
single day. But the truth is, they had
better not read at all, than to read 10
this way, They perceive no more of
the beauties of the book than q so-called
tourist, who walks into the Louvre at
one door and out at the other, perceives
of the spirit and power of the marvellous
pictures and statues that adorn it's gal
leries-or than the weary traveller per-
ceives of the details of picturesque
landscape through which he has been
shot by the express train at forty miles
an hour. But besides doing no good,
hasty, promiscuous reading does a great
deal OF harm. 1t is vice. It debau-
ches the mind. 1t blunts its powers,
impairs its receptivity, and denies to it
the hcalthful vigor and accumen which
systematic reflection imparts. It rem
ders it callous, and incapable of receiv.
ing and retaining impressions.


There ought to be jud dgment aud
system in reading as we'll as in business
or labor. I: must be attended by med.
itation. Two hours see! devoted to
deliberate and careful reading will give
more real knowledge than three hours
a day of the "skimming over' which
is so universal habit with young
people.
Year: 1869

Horace Bushnell, in one of his essays,
gives the following forcible description
Of the man who has learned to compre-
bend and control his own weaknesses
and variations of mind. And what true
man has not done so?


Now wise man is one who under
stands himself we'll enough to make due
allowances for suct insane moods and
varieties, never concluding that thing
is thus or thus because just now it bea,s
that look; waiting often to see what a
sleep or walk, Or a cool revision, or
perhaps considerable turn of repent
ance will do. He does not slash upon
a man or subject from the point Of a
just now rising temper. He maintains
a noble candor, by waiting sometimes
for gentler spirit and better sense Of
truth. He is never intolerent of other
mems judgments, because he is a little
distrustful of his own. He restrains
the dislikes of prejudice, because he has
a prejudice against his dislikes. His
resentments are sottened by his condem-
nations of himself. His depressions do
not crush him, because he has sometimes
seen the sun, and believes it may appear
again. He revises his opinions readily
because he has a right, he thinks, to
better opinions if he can mud them. He
holds fast sound opinions, lest his mood
mess in change should take truth away.
And if his insane thinking appears to be
topping him down the gulf Of skepticism,
be RECEIVERS himself by just raising the
question, whether more sane way Of
thinking might not think differently ?
A man. who is duly aware of his own
distempered faculty, makes q life how
different from one who acts as if be were
infallible, and had nothing to do but
Just to let himself be pronounced
Year: 1869

The RUSSIAN CLEReY.-We copy as
ollows from the Russian correspondent
of the New York World:


There had always been a tendency
among the Russian clergy to become a
caste, but this tendency was made into
law by Peter the Great By this
decree the wives and children OF priests,
deacons and other church servitors be-
longed to the clerical condition, from
which it was very difficult to leave. In
consequence, all the sons of a priest
became priests or monks; the sons of
reader, etc. The daughters married
only deacous. Hence a place in the
church became an inheritance, and
deacon could not find place unless he
married the daug ghter of some priest
where there was vacancy, for this was
considered the daughters dowry. In
case of the death of priest with poor
family, it was thought that the place
must of right be given to some one who
would marry one Of the daughters. The
natural consequence was crop of unhap.
py marriages, and great degradation Of
the clergy, till now in the villages they
are despised by the land owners, and not
respected by peasants. They are gene
rally poor, with large families, and have
to work like the rest of the peasants for
their living. A new law has just been
published, by whice the children Of the
clergy will no longer belong to the cleri.
cal condition. The children of priests
and deacons are given the same privileges
as the children Of personal mobiles, and
those Of the church servitsrs as the
children Of honorary citizens. If they
do not choose to entor the church, they
may enter the civil or military service
of the government, or may engage in
trade or commerce or private employments
But, with due regard for vested inter.
ests, they are allowed to profit by all the
funds and institutions which are for the
nse of the sons of the clergy. This at
one clears the church of a multitude Of
useless men who only studied theology
because they had to, and will doubtless
raise the standard Of the clergy, to which
enn improvement in the seminaries and
charges in the parish organizations are
also contributing.