smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1860

"Burleigh," the racy correspondent
of the Boston Journal, tells the follow
ing story Of the uncertainy of "betting g on
a sure thing:"-We have noted gen
tleman in New York whom l shall call
I. He is a member of one of the New
York clubs. Opposite to him was an
other person, who one evening sported
an elegant diamond ring. 1t dazzled T.


He wanted it, but the owner seemed to
care little to part with it. Yielding at last
to the importantly of T., the ring was
sold for the sum of 5000 It passed off
to T. amid the titterings and suppressed
mirth of the crowd, which caught the
quick ear Of T. He knew that both the
ring and the purchaser had been sold
I. said nothing. The next day he called
upon a jeweler, where he learned that
the ring was paste, and worth about $25.
He called for some real diamonds, and
among them found ring not unlike the
ring Of paste. T. made bargain with
the jeweler for the use of the real dia-
mond. He pledged 81 200, the price of
the diamond. He gave 500 for its use
for time, He had the paste removed
from the setting, and the real diamond
put in its stead. Thus armed, he ap-
peared among his associates at night,
fourished his ring, and seemed to be in
very high glee, to the astonishment of
his chums, who believed he had been
sold


But the advantage was with T. He
talked about "fool and his money" &c.
said if any gentleman present had a
81 200 ring that he wished to sell for
5000, he knew where there was pur-
chaser to be found. Bets were freely
proposed that the diamond was not real


They were accepted. One man bet
81 900; so did another; and two bet $500
each; and all were taken by 7. Umpires
were chosen; the money and the ring
were put in their hands, the test applied,
and all said the stone was diamond of
the first water, and was worth $780,
I. quietly put the $4,000 in his pocket,
and went his way. He carried the dia-
mond back, recalled bis S1,200j paid for
the stone, and with the paste ring on his
finger, went back to the club at night


The man who sold the ring was at the
club waiting, for he wanted to regain the
ring. He had sold it for fun-he knew
all the time that it was real diamond
he never had any false jewels-he
could tell real diamond at any time by
its peculiar light-he would not do SO
mean thing as to cheat his old friend
T.-and he knew that 7. would let him
have the ring back. But 7. was stub
born; said that the seller was cheat; and
now that he saw the value of the ring
wouldn't undo what he had done. Al
length 7. agreed to restore the ring on
the payment of $500, which was joyfully
paid. But the matter came out, and all
parties came to the conclusion that wher
diamond is to cut diamond some one
more pliable and less sharp than T. will
be selected for the operation.
Year: 1860

lying cold against my neck, threatened
to pierce it every instant, l began to
pray God himself, I believe taught me
what to say thatnight; for paralyzed with
horror, I could not of my own will have
uttered the words that unclaimed the
maniac's ear, from one long moment to
another, till the hand that held my head
bent down released it's hold, and his
deep, regular breathing told me he was
asleep.


Softly I rose to my feet, took my key
from his loosened grasp, the knife from
his hand, and stole from the room. 1t
took but little while to rouse the inn
keeper and apprise the old gentleman of
the whereabouts of his grandson. The
lunatic was secured, and the next morn
ing, at the first glance at myself in the
glass as Iwent to comb my hair, tainted
away Fright had been my hair-dresser
during that terrible night, and powdered
nv black hair till it was snow white for
evermore.


[ am firm believer in special Provi-
dence, in the efficacy of prayer, in sal
vation by faith


There was long pause after Madam
Mercer ceased speaking, then some one
said, "Did you not grieve over the loss
of your beautiful hair" No, after the
first shock 1 thought little of it. 1t
seemed, too, to make no difference with
Mr.. Mercer, and when [ reached Maho-
pac my fathers eyes were closed upon
this world for all time, so he never knew
it. am old enough now to be gray,
and to tell the truth, [ am proud of my
white curls. 1t grieved Marie more
than any one, but [ told her we could
always be easily distinguished now that
I was we'll pleased with my hair, though
[ had horrible hairdresser.
Year: 1860

The following particulars concerning
the selling into Slavery of a free negro
were yesterday related to US by legal
gentlemen, in whose hand the matter had
been placed for the prosecution of the
offending parties. Some time since a
telegraphic dispatch was received by a
detective officer of this city, requesting
him to arrest and detain in custody a
negro acting in the capacity of cook on
board Steamboat plying between this
city and Cincinnati. The dispatch set
forth that he, the negro, was runaway
slave, the property of gentlemen
named Overton, residing hundred
miles from this city. A few days after
this Mr.. Overton' came here and identi-
fed the negro as slave of his, and af-
terwards placed him in the hands of a
slave trader, who disposed of him to a
Southern gentleman named Wiseman, for
round sum of money Wiseman took the
darkey to New Orleans, and there sold
him for $4,000. Shortly after this last
transaction it was ascertained that the
negro was in reality a free man. He
was born a slave in North Carolina. He
afterwards moved with his master to
Mobile, where he was emancipated.


After his emancipation he moved to
Ohio, and engaged himself as cook on a
river steamboat. He left his papers in
Ohio, not dreaming, as he says, that any
person would claim him as a slave. By
some means his emancipation heard
of his enslavement, and Immediately
interested himself in his behalf. His
free papers were taken to New Or
leans, and by due form of law he was de-
clared free man. Prosecution has al
ready been commenced against some
parties in New Orleans for being con-
cerned in the selling of a free negro, and
in short time suit will be instituted
against individuals in this State for the
same ofense.- st. Louis Democrat.
Year: 1860

Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, in a lee
ture recently delivered, gave the follow
ing history ofhis literary habits: 'Many
persons seeing me SO much engaged in
active life, and as much about the world
as if I had never been student, have
said to me, when do you get time to
write all your books? How on earth do
you contrive to do so much work?' l
shall surprise you by the answer l make.
The answer is this: | contrive to do so
much by never doing too much ata time.
A man, to get through work well, must
not overwork himself, or if he do too
much to day the reaction of fatigue will
come, and he will be obliged to do too
little tomorrow. Now, since l began
really and earnestly to study, which was
not till [ had left college, and was actu-
ally in the world, I may perhaps say I
have gone through as large course of
general reading as most men of my time


[ have travelled much, and [ have seen
much [ have mixed much in politics and
the various business of life; and, in ad-
dition to this, have published some
where about thirty-six volumes, some
upon subjects requiring much research


And what time, do you think, as a gen
eral rule, [ have devoted to study-tc
reading and writing2 Not more than
three hours day; and, when parliament
is sitting, not always that. But, then
during those hours, | have given my
whole attention to what I was about"
Year: 1860

Choosing wife is perilous piece of
business. Do you suppose there is moth
ing of it but evening visits, bouquets
and popping the question? My dear,
simple young man, you ought not to be
trusted out alone! Take care that you
don't get the gilt China article, that looks
exceedingly we'll on the mantlepiece
until the gilt and ornamentare all rubbed
off, and then it is fit only for the dust
pile! A wife should be selected on the
same prin ciples as calico gown. Bright
colors and gay patterns are not always
the best economy. Get something that
will wash and wear Nothing like the
suns and showers of matrimony to bleach
out these deceptive externals! Don't
choose the treasure by gas-light, or in a
parlor sitting. Broad day light is the
best time-a kitchen the most sensible
place. Bear in mind, sir, that the arti-
Gle once bargained for, you can't ex-
change if it don't suit. If you buy a
watch and it don't run as you expected,
you can send it to a jeweler to be re-
paired; in the case of a wife, once paired,
you can't repair. She may run in the
wrong direction-very well, sir; all that
is left for you is too run after her, and
an interesting chase you will probably
find it! If you get a good wife, you will
be the happiest fellow alive; if you get a
bad one, yo~ may as we'll sell yourself
for two and sixpence, at once! Just as
we'll to consider all these things before
hand, young man!
Year: 1860

A singular anecdote is related of
Robert Ferguson, an elderly farmer
living near Utica, New York, who died
a few days ago. A severe illness, in
which his physician afforded no hope,
convinced him that MS u.>d was near,
and he accordingly directed his failing
energies to the task of settling his
worldly affairs and preparing for death.
After making his will, he gave the most
minute directions in regard to his fune-
raj; where he was to be buried, amount
to be expended for tombstone, etc. He
wished his body to be inferred in the
graveyard at New Hartford, some five
miles distant, and almost with his last
breath enjoined it upon his wife and
daughter, who were weeping over him,
to have the funeral procession leave the
house for the graveyard at an early hour
in the morning, in order that they
might get home in season to milk the
COWS before dark! Death stole upon
him as gently as slumber falls upon the
eyelids of a weary child.
Year: 1860

Occasionally we hear of man who is
weary of theological questionings and
discussions, who passes through all the
phases of the Protestant faith, and finally
knocks at the door of the Roman Cath
olic Church, and enters in the hope Of
finding there that peace and quiet which
he sought in vain elsewhere. During
the last few years many man, who has
long been opposed to the Democratic
party, but who was disturbed and af-
frighted at the clamor which was raised
against Republicanism, has sought re-
pose and freedom from agitation in the
secure embrace of the organization that
now holds the power in the General Gov
ernment. Here these constitutionally
timid men supposed that they had found
an anchorage where they might safely
rest and rid out the storms Of popular
excitement.


But, alas their sheet anchor has now
failed them The irrepressible conflict
is ahead of them and around them
Where shall they now turn? They are
indeed to be pittied. Their very refuge
has become scene of conflict and peril.
They will have to retire in disgust from
politicallife. They have made the prime
mistake of believing that perfect tran
guilty of the waters is better than the
heaving of the waves, without inquiring
whether the stiffness was a sign Of real
peace, or Of that stagnation which would
render storm necessary to purify the
I'm aronn1 i0la to fru to
evade the question now thrusting them
selves upon the nation. It it is vain to
disguise our meaning in ambiguous plat
forms and declare that we are all agreed.
The truth will come out, will break out,
if it can find the light in mo other way.
We must meet, discuss, act frankly and
freely, and, we trust, kindly. But to
put our hands over our ears and an
nounce that there is no need of differen-
ces, if we will only receive the Demo-
cratic panacea for all ills, is too absurd.
Our cautious friends must be bold enough
to look at things as they are, and to meet
the questions before the country fairly
and reasonably. They must not expect
to find in the ranks of any party immu-
nifty from excitement and troubles. If
they have learned this one lesson from
their brief membership of the Demo
cratic peace society, their experience has
not been in vain. We join with the
Philadelphia North american in saying
that Democrats of four years of age and
under have our sincerest commiseration. "
I-Pr0cidence Journal,
Year: 1860

II have heard you wonder" said our
guest, Madam Mercer, cat having gray
hair at my time of life. But it was just
as white twenty years ago, and then [
was young girl"


We expressed our astonishment, add
ing that Marie, her twin sister, still re-
tanned the jetty locks of early youth.


True she answered, fyet it was
through sister Marie that lost mine;
but will tell you all about it"


She drew her easy chair closer to the
CRATE, shook her silver curls and began:


''It was just such night as this; wild
and stormy, twenty years ago, that sister
Marie and myself sat in our little back
parlor at home alone. We lived in a
long, low stone house, which [ believe is
still standing, in the vicinity of Fishkill
village, New York. Mother had already
been dead several years, and father was
confirmed invalid; so that young as we
were, we had learned to be more self
reliant than many women are at my
present age With the assistance of an
old negress named Lois, who in our
palmy days had been mothers body SER
want, and who, though manumitted, still
retained her place as servant in the fam
lily, we kept house, receiving our friends,
who we're numerous, as is generally the
case where the family shows an inde-
pendent spirit and no desire to,use their
friends, entertained our suitors, for
Marie and I each had our admirers, and
attended scrupulously to all of fathers
wants. On that particular evening,
Marie and | were talking of poor Guy
Dewitt, who had been madly in love
with my sister, but could inspire no re-
ciprocal passion in her breast. She
never encouraged him from the very
first; and often when we were going from
church or from party, places where in
country towns young girls are always
sure to find escorts, she used to wink at
me to exchange places with her if Guy
were at her side; as we were SO exactly
alike that poor mother herself could not
distinguish us save by lifting Marie S
hair from her forehead, where was an
almost imperceptible freckle which had
not been given me, of course it was very
easy, as we also dressed exactly alike,
to deceive our village beaux, who often
times poured their confidence, in this
way, into ears they never intended
should hear them.


Wearied, at last, of Guys prosecuting
attentions, Marie forbade him the house
telling him if he could not be friend
without being lover, they must meet
no more. Twice after this he found op.
portunity to urge his suit; and when he
found Marie firm in her rejection of him
and that his suit was hopeless, he went
ancurably crazy The event had sur;
prised and grieved us both deeply; and
talking Of it that night, I told her [ helc
her guiltless, and believed the whole
community did the same, of ever de
luding Guy with false hopes


We were interrupted in the converse
tion by the postman's horn; for the mai
Year: 1860

Htvtng Bees.


We have lately read a very sensible
plan for hiving swarm Of BEES
Watching for them as they came from
the hive, and seeing where they were
gathering to settle on tree, the owner
put large woolen yarn stocking on
pole and thrust it up through the limbs,
and Immediately the bees began to alight
upon it, and were soon all clustered, when
he gently lowered the pole to a table
which the good wife had prepared while
he held the swarm, and then placing the
hive over the bees, the. pole was with
drawn from the stocking, and in five
minutes they went to work cleaning out
their new house. The ne3t day the


'women folks" hived a swarm in the
same way, without man to assist.
Year: 1860

The power of the pulpit can never be
fully estimated, until we enter the scenes
and become acquainted with the results
of eternity. The amount of good ac-
complished and crime prevented by the
preaching Of the gospel, are undervalued
in this life. Nor can we always form a
proper conception of that influence
which restrains the vicious and guides
the pious home to glory. Even the
ministry that is apparently, almost fruit
less, leaves its impress upon society, and
will tell upon human destiny.


The seed is sown, and at the appointed
time the ministers will return with their
sheaves amid the shouting of the harvest.
In heaven thay will know the piousp pur-
poses they have awakened, the tears
they have dried, the sighs they have
checked, the broken hearts they have
bound up, and the wounded spirits they
have comforted in this world of sorrow,
toll and care And they will know, too,
the evils and the crimes they have pre-
vented, and the influence of that ex-
ample they have left for the imitation of
the world. If they shall have accom-
plished nothing more, they will have
honored God in his institutions, and dis
charged their duty; and thus they will
bring glory to Him, though their minis
try may prove the SAVIOR Of death unto
death to those who attend. Let not
the minister then be over anxious or dis
turbed about present results. His field
is the world, his work is duty; results
belong to God and Eternity. Life with
MIN is but an hour-glass and every sand
should be pious deed or virtuous
thought, so that when the last shall
drop he may go home to his reward,
which will be, if he is faithful on earth,
glorious in heaven.
Year: 1860

A correspondent of the Boston Cuyi-
vator states that sponge, dipped in one
pint of turpentine, and sprinkled over
one eighth of an acre of land, just as the
onion plants are coming up, will prevent,
the maggot from doing injury. He says,
also that squash and cucumber vines are
equally preserved from bugs, by sprinks
ling with turpentine, and that even if the
liquid touch the plant, it will not do ans
injury.
Year: 1860

We learn that there were several COM
petitors for the best ten and five acres of
corn, at the late Indiana State Fair
The first premium was awarded to a
citizen of Dearborn county, who presen-
ted the necessary afidavits from respon-
sible men, that his field of ten acres pro
duced on an average, one hundred and
seventy four bushels to the acre. On
the best five acres, the first premium
was awarded on one hundred and eighty
six bushels to the acre, and the same
person had incontestible evidence that
en- one of these acres there grew two
hundred and fourteen bushels. This
exceeds anything ever produced in this
or any other country, and certainly we
should not complain of the products of
the earth the present year.-Dayto" En-
pre-
Year: 1860

B9 Two men have opened a hotel
upon the American plan in Hakodadi,
Japan. It is pleasant to think that the
eccentric heather that people that sec
ton of the globe will have an opportu
nifty of regaling themselves with mutual
Cocktails and postprandial Hbraiidiea
and water" prepared on scientific prin-
ciples
Year: 1860

ty, 60 to some Eastern manufacturing town


get so per cent of the estimated value in


cash, pay 10 per cent on the loan. and 25


per cent TO the broker who negotiates the
same If We had good banks with ample
capital all fair business men could get mon.
ey at per cent, without any extra share
for commission. and without the yexatious
trouble of bonds and mortgages.


The people of this State are giving the
theory of No Banks, No Manutactur-
ing and No Capital, fair and thorough
trial. and it is to be hoped they Will become
fully satisfied with the practical working Of
their theory before change is made, for it
seems that nothing short Of poverty. neces-
sity. misery and idleness all combined, are
sufficient to open their eyes to the unmiti,
gated falsehoods that free trade theorists
and anti-bank politicians have from time to
time imposed upon them.


The remedy for the present condition of
things, is to change our State Constitution
and laws, so as to make it an object for
capitalists to come among US. start manu-.
featuring establishments and establish banks
and at the same time use all our political
power to induce Congress to increase the
duty on foreign commodities. so as to give
Americans their own country for market.
Reduce the specific taxes on our manufac-
turing establishments and banks to one
fourth their present amount, charge your
coal companies no tax at all until our coal
beds are fully developed. Try this policy
as long as you have the opposite. and if
Michigan does not prove herself to be one
of the richest and most prosperous of the
States you may reasonably conclude that
the experience of the rest of the world is
inapplicable to our condition.
Year: 1860

disorder outside Mr. Duke, in his speech,
proposed to administer a coat of tar and
feathers to the Mayor. The officers, think.
in that there had been enough of that sort
Of talk. made a rush among the crowd.
The latter scattered, and the young orator
jumped from the awning-post He was
captured and taken into the carr house.
This arrest scattered the last remnant of
the mob


Mr.. Duke appeared to be heartily ashamed
of his conduct, and he apologized to the
Mayor He was held to bail to keep the
peace and to behave better for the future.


A. detachment Of policemen remained on
duty at the Hall until daylight this NOR
ming.


This morning. after the reception of the
regular daily reports of the lieutenants, the
Mayor addressed them He said that he
desired to thank them, and through them
the men under their command, for the man.
ner in which they had conducted themselves
last night He believed that the prompt
ness with which the men of the divisions
had responded to his call upon them, and
the firm and decided manner in which they
had performed their duty. had preserved
the city from disgrace of a scene Of outrage
and riot He had always entertained the
belief that the regular municipal police of
the city we're competent to quell any ordi-
nary riot, and the experience Of last night
had confirmed him in that opinion. He
thanked the officers and men for their
faithfulness with which they had performed
their duty.


The Mayor further said that he had been
called upon by Judge Kelly. who. upon be.
half of Mr.. Curtis and the other persons
who believed their saftey had been endang.
cred, returned sincere thanks for the pow.
erful and efficient protection afforded them
by the police force.


The Mayor remarked that he had no
sympathy with Mr.. Curtis in many of the
sentiments he entertained but bis duty to
secure to every one the exercise Of the un-
disturbed freedom of speech was q very
plain one, aud he was determined that %
far as his exertiOns and the exertOns of the
force under bis control could accomplish it,
that the constitutional rights Of all should
be respected and preserved from violence
He concluded by again thanking the officers
for the faithfuluess with which they had
discharged their duty.


THE vITRIoL THROWING LAST NIGHT


The serious results of the vitriol throw
ing last night we're not fully known to US
at the time our report upon another page
was prepared 1t seems that Miss Fussle,
a daughter of Prof Fussle of the Female
Medical College of this city. was badly
burned about the face by the acid, and seve-
raj other ladies had their clothes ruined
Messrs Cyrus Chambers Allen Moore, and
others were hurt more or less by vitriol
One man, whose name We did not learn,
was struck in the eye by fragment of the
bottle, and it was though ght the sight of the
organ was destroyed