smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1864

If there is one thing that will bear
repetition every year, in the columns
of newspaper, it is the exhortation
to farmers in this corn growing coun-
try, to pick and care for their seed
corn in due season. Nothing can be
more vexatious than the result Of
planting poor seed, and it is some
thing, in ninety-nine cases out of
hundred, for which there is not the
shadow of an excuse. Yet nothing
is more frequent than the necessity Of
second planting, of missing hills
all over the field. it's loss of time,
q loss Of seed, and loss in the yield.


The time is fast approaching when
seed corn should be gathered. The
amount needed by most farmers is
not large, and Of course it cannot con-
sumo any very great amount of time
to do the work of gathering in proper
season-not half SO much as TO re-
plant where poor seed fails to grow.
And this matter of having good seed


corn is very simple one Go early
into the field, and select the ears upon
which the husk has first grown brown
and opened. Take only such as are
well filled out at the end, and on which
the kernels are hard and fiinty, and
generally large and well formed.
Strip the husks back, and trace !"
up the ears, and hang up where it is
dry and the corn can have air. BY so
doing, not only the best corn may be
selected, but it is cared for so that
it will not heat and mould as corn in
the bin is always liable to do. Such
seed corn will always germinate.


Though you may have had good
success with the best corn from the
crib, it is not safe TO trust to 1T. A
single failure will cost more than to
carefully select seed for dozen years.
Year: 1864

This tiny sprig of Evergreen


Grew where the Suns first rays are seen,
Upon mountain proud and high,
Whose summit seems to reach the sky.
Here fought our brave and gallant men.
Undaunted by the leaden rain,


Here friends and foe have found n grave
Where fadeless laurels " er them wave.
No loved one weeps above those mounds
Which on these rugged heights abound,
But sacred is each mangled form,
Here safely housed from battles storm.
Here side by side lie friend and foe,
They enmity no longer know,
Peaceful in death they mingled lie,
Waiting their summons from on high.
A soldier who had nobly fought,
Counting life, fame and ease but naught,
Came hither at the close Of day,
Bearing this relic green away.
Der weary miles this twig has sped
From where it grew above the dead,
But yet its verdure speaks to me,
Of deeds that shall immortal be.
Vain man may rear the marble high,
in mem'ry of the brave who die,
But time will mar the work of art,
Causing its glories to depart.
But high and higher, near the skies,
Shall Gods own handiwork arise,
A changeless monument shall wave,
Above our noble fallen brave.
Prairie Glen, H., dug. 25, 1864.
Year: 1864

friend we ever had !" And many bene'
dictions and prayers follow her daily
Her name must bear a high luster in
the annals of history. From what /
have learned of her, l am certain that
many ill-natured things have been
written and said of Mrs. w. which
were quite without foundation. Iowa
may we'll be proud of her.


| have learned more of the realities
of life and death since l have been
here than / could in many years at
home, and it seems to me that if our
friends at home could realize an iota
of the suffering which l see every day,
they could not be SO carelessly happy !;
that they would strive to lay some
sacrifice upon the altar to relieve it.
There are but very few Iowa soldiers
here-but there is one, or was, in whom
l have felt a great interest. saw
him yesterday afternoon and he was
already on the journey up the shining
path which leads to the pearly throne
of the Lamb. He desired a minister,
and went to the Commission Rooms
for delegate to converse with him.
Just at sunset his spirit wended its
way to God who gave it. Another
desolate home +! more aching hearts !
Oh, God when will this cease


And oh the manly fortitude and
bravery exhibited on these sick beds !!
How the poor, brave fellows lie, sick,
suffering, dying wounded in all
parts Of their bodies, minus an arm or
leg, perchance both bearing it
all without murmur; bravely sti-
fling the shrek or groan when the ter
rible wounds are probed and dressed !;
and all because it is for the country,
for our dear flag, for the rights Of this
great people. All hail F! noble
braves !! Yours is q crown of glory !;
yours are the gratitude and blessings
of many hearts. Bear on, yet little
longer, and your reward will come.


There are many things Of interest
here but We go about very little, there
are SO many things which need to be
done that we cannot allow ourselves
much recreation. i have visited the
cemetery to see our soldiers graves.
They are in rows, close together, with
the name, Company and Regiment
marked on a board at the head. The
graves are all grown up to weeds ;
the slabs are falling away, and soon
there will be no marks by which an
anxious friend could identify the grave
of a loved one. | saw the grave of
the rebel General Zollicoffer, and ma
ny very fine vaults and monuments. Ii
has been very beautiful place, but
is now sadly neglected. am desir-
Gus of visiting Fort Negly and the
State House, as well as other places.
| must draw to a close. Will not our
Charles City friends think kindly of
us and sometimes breathe prayer
for our success and the welfare Of the
soldier boys?


Respectfully Yours,


ALMA S. BENNETT,


Missionary L. S. Christian Commission.
Year: 1864

PUBLIc--No. III. ..e.
AN ACT TO authorize tue Secretary Of


the Treasury to sell the Marine Hos


pital and grounds at Chicago, llli-


nois, and TO purchase new site


and build a new hospital.


BE Il enacted By the Senate and House
of Representatives. Of the United States Of
America m Congress assembled, That
the Secretary of the Treasury is here
by authorized. in his discretion. to sell
the Marine Hospital and grounds at
Chicago, Illinois. the sale to be made
at public auction to the highest and
best bidder therefor, in ready money,
after giving notice thereof six weeks
in succession in two daily papers
printed in the city of Chicago. And
upon sale being made, as aforesaid,
the said Secretary Of the Treasury is
hereby authorized and empowered to
make, execute, and deliver TO the pur-
chaser thereof good and sufficient
deed for the premises. conveying all
the right. title, and interest of the
United States.


Sec. 2. And be IL further enacted,
That out Of the proceeds of the said
sale the Secretary of the Treasury is
hereby directed to purchase new
and more eligible site for marine
hospital in or near Chicago, and erect
q new hospital thereon, which site and
building shall 10 no event cost more
than the amount received from the
sale Of the hospital and grounds which
are hereby authorized to be sold. And
it is hereby provided that the posses
sion Of the said hospital aud grounds
shall be retained by the United States
until the new hospital TO be built un-
der the provisions Of this act shall be
fully completed and ready for use.
Approved, June 20, 1864.
Year: 1864

There were at least one thousand
more Lincoln votes in this city on the
day after the Chicago Democratic
platform had been read. than there
were the day before. A friend drop
ped into a store where sat FIVE part
ners. all Democrats, Of whom not one
would vote for Mcclellan or any one
else on that platform.
Year: 1864

.Goop WEArHER.-Cool nights cloud
less and brilliant days! Such is the
kind of weather with which we have
been favored recently. There is moth.
ing bad to take in an Iowa Autumn.
Winter out this way is coolish like !"
Spring is q little after the same sort
Summer is exuberantly and powerfully
hot but the Falls are just as near
right to suit folks as they ought to be.
Year: 1864

This House having been recently thorough
y repaired and renovated throughout, Is now
open for guests The location is desirable, be-
ng in the very heart of the business part Of
he city. Country Merchants will find all the
comforts of Home at the reasonable cost of


ONE DOLLAR FIFTY PER DAY.
The Proprietor would return his thanks TO
he business men of the Northwest for the
LIBERAL patronage heretofore bestowed upon


i'm, and would state that it will ever be his
inn to consult the comfort of his guests. sf
Omnibus lines run to and from this hotel in
onnectiou with all the railroad trains and
k,-amboat lines.
Year: 1864

The London Times finds comfort and
hope IN the nomination of Mcclellan
What should we think to see the ablest and
most inscriptions enemy of American
freedom in the world sustaining any Presi-
Dental candidate7 The support of the
Tines should cover Mcclellan with in
fanny and shame. -
Year: 1864

PRAY. sir, said a young belle to the
keeper Of a circulating library, have you
Man as he is 2


NO. Miss replied the clerk, wishing to
accommodate her, and with no Other
meaning; but we have Woman rs she
should be.
Year: 1864

A FAMuRE.-The Conscription law is
conceded by its friends to be wretched
failure. 1t was passed apparently for the
purpose of depressing the poor and pro-
tecting the rich. While it was under
discussion it was publicly stated that cap
italists raised large sum to secure its
passage, and that many members voted
for it for consideration. 1t virtually
exempts rich men from Fighting, as they
can easily pay the commutation ax,while
thousands Of poor men are unable to
raise it, and failing to do so are forced
from their homes into the army at the
point Of the bayonet. 1t is believed to be
unconstitutional, and has been so declared
by the most eminent juristS Of our coun-
try. How it has worked the following,
from the Army and Navy Journal, tells {:


We have official authority for the statement
that out of 100000 men who were drawn, only
II 900 obeyed the decree by going into the
army.
Year: 1864

INJURIOUS TO THE NEGRO. The Louis
vile Journal is not complimentary to the
improved class of citizens " which the
Lincoln programme proposes to introduce
into our country. 1t says:


There is to be substituted a hybrid race
an amaleamution cross between the Abolition
lists and the negro. Such crosses usually re suit
in deterioration of the original stocks
Whether in this instance it would be likely TO
improve the AbOlitioBists we are not prepared
To say, but all men Of observation will agree
thst it will most materially injure the negro"
Year: 1864

GARDEN AND HoUsE INPRovENExrs.-We no.
tice that gardening and house improvements
ere going on in every part of the city. In
spita Of hard times and heavy taxes, PlacervilIe
is prosperous and growing
Year: 1864

The bright summer is past and drear autumn is here


And the rose lies witheredthe forest looks drear


And the grass in the meadow that looked green


oer the field is now scatefed-not vestsge is seen,


The oak and the willow that bloomed fresh and fair


But short time ago, naked and scar


For the cold wind of autumn, have scattered around,
Their green summer foliage, all over the ground.


The Of the turtle, is now silent and still,


And the lark in the morning, fits not o'er the hill


As she did in the simmer, when watching alone,


Her nest on the hillside, where the shone
Tho brook in the valley, that went ripping along,
Through the sweet scented pasture has ceasd its old song
For the leaves of the forest have choked up its way
And pools dark and filthy, for time it must play.
The farmer hastens, his ripe crops to secure,
Ere the cold fosts of autumn have covered them oer;
The that he cultured and watched with such care
With joy he now gathers, in the bright golden
The in the orchard that bl6omed in the spring,
Full of fruit rich and lucious their branthes cling
The husbandman pucks them-he stores them away,
For use in drear winter, when cold is the day.
The grapes hang in clusters, upon the vine clad hill,
The purple fruit is gathered, and carried to mill,
From which rich juice taken by presses firm and strong
To fill with wine the goblet thro winter drear and long
The slanting rays at sunsetthe short and dismal day,
Tell us thatr rosy summer has surely past away.
We marked her tiny footsteps ard wished her back again
Instead ofeloudy autumn with chilly winds and rain.
But summer days endedwe hear the g'rng sigh;
We view the blighted flowers, that all around lie
For autumn is upon us-the season of the year,
When summers fragrant flowers wtherd mass appear
We hear the bleak winds moaning thro every naked tree
And o'er the plain valley hoar fross eject see;
But the winds of autumn and SHOWS of winter drear,
viii vanish in the sunlight, when days Of spring appear


UrPrR SANpusKY, ONO
Year: 1864

~ In the beginning of the war. /.
patriotic landlady, in her desire to emu
late the generosity Of many city govern.
ments and other corporations in continu'
ing the wages of absent soldiers, gave
notice that if any Of her brothers wished
to enlist, she would allow their board bill
to run right on all the time they were
gone the same as if they remained.
Year: 1864

A BET.-Two gentlemen residing in
Brooklyn made bet on the presidential
election, which, if carried out, will be liable
to create some amusement among our citi.
zens, The bet was for beaver bat, which
was to be twenty-four inches in height and
seven in breath of brim. The individual
whose fayorite was elected is to wear the
hat during the presidential term. Such a
novel head-piece would make quite an i'm
posing appearance in the street.
Year: 1864

EE- An Iowa editor fallen heir to an
estate worth one and half millions. OF
course he'll retire. Just fancy man
worth that sum writing puff of pat
lent clothes pin. or Mrs. Winslo-'s So.
thing Syrup.
Year: 1864

If the earth should be stopped in its or
bit, it would begin to fall straight toward
the sun. As it approach more nearly to
thar great source of heat it would soon
reach point where The temperature is as
high as 212 deg. and then all of the waters
of the ocean would be evaporated. As 1t
drew still nearer, the rocks would be melt
ed, and afterwards they also would be
evapo,ated. Before 1t reached the sun this
solid earth would be converted into q vast
volume of red-hot gas, which, when it fell
into the hery atmosphere of the sun would
mersly prodsse y blast OF wind from lie
point where it struck outward in ell direc.
lions. Scientific american,
Year: 1864

The peculiar taint or


infection which we


call ScRoFuLA lurks


in the constitutions of


multitudes of men. It


either produces or il
produced by an en-
feebled, vitiated state


of the blood, wherein
that fluid becomes in
competent to sustain
the vital forces in their
vigorous action, and
leaves the system to
fall. into disorder and
Year: 1864

ENGLAND IN IiER DEALINGS WITH TIE FLORIDA
CAsE.-The case OF the Florida appears to
exercise more or the attention Of England than
any other toreign Power, though one would
suppose that The other maritime nations were
quite "a much interested. The fact Is that
England has had quarrel with Brazil, and she
IL endeavoring 70 make an excitement about
the Florida matter IN the hope OF gaining some
advantage FOR herseir Everything which the
British government has done since our rebel
lion commenced has furnished precedent Of
which we will avail ourselves In the proper
time. IN the Mason and Slidell case they ad-
mj!tc1 Tho correctness OF cur position on the
right Of search question. In the effort to
put us In the wrong In the case OF the
Florida, The saactity of neutral ports, which
s1e has always violated, is recognized. We
have no reason TO he dissatisfied with their
decisions. They establish principles for which
We base always been contending. In the
action Of Great Britain herself in fitting out
aud manning riratical vessels TO wage war
upon a Power with which she ia at peace
we have another precedent which we will
assuredly follow greatly TO our own interest,
one OF these days, when war is waging between
some OF the maritime Powers of Europe.
Thus we cheer.ully accept the Interpretation
OF international Law upon all these points
from the high court Of Kaglsnd.
Year: 1864

Warren THE RruEt DEsrrTERs.-- One hundred
and twcntyone rebel dosertera from Lees
army arrived in Washington on Thanksgiving
Day, and fifty moro we're sent to The city on
Friday. They were all despatched North and
by this time are scattered among our principal
cities. The majority Or them arc unquection-
ably we'll meaning aud honest in their inten-
tions; but that there are some who bave taken
that method to gain an unsupported admission
into our midst for purposes the most vile and
treacherous there cannot be a doubt We
think, therefore, II behooves the proper officers
OF the government to be on their guard and TO
closely scrut nize those rebel deserters,
Year: 1864

neutral territory, with the Intention Of plumber
ing ba1ks and other establishments, than any
gang Of ordinary burglars or highwaymen who
might organize their plans on the Canadian
frontier. 1t is quite probable, from the way
the case is tending, that they will be given up
by the colonial government, to be tried at St
Albans for arscn and robbery. There they
will be dealt with according to their deserts,
and we trust that the Canadian authorities will
see the justice of the measure.
Year: 1864

order that the most stringent measures should
be adopted by both the civil and military
authorities to prevent recurrence OF the
scenes OF Friday night and to bring to q strict
accountability all suspicious and disIoyal per-
sons who may have sought shelter in this
city only to destroy it.
Year: 1864

SPONTANEOUS GENERATIoN.-The ques-
ton of spontaneous generation, abou;
which SO much has been written within
the last fifteen years, seems to be in fair
way to be definitely settled. According
to the Conites Rendus, the French Acade-
my of Science has appointed a Commis-
sion to make full investigation Of the
subject, by a careful inquiry into the evil
dence for and against the theory. The
gentlemen who claim to have produced
spontaneous generation, are invited to re-
peat their experiments i'll the presence Of
the Commission. The invitation has been
promptly accepted, and learned gentle
men, who have taken an active interest on
both sides, have signifed their willingness
to submit the question to the fair and
final decision proposed. Those favoring
the theory appear to be quite sanguine OF
success, and express their most perfect
confidence in the ability and impartiality
of the Commission. ..as-.
Year: 1864

A young lady should often maintain .
prudent reserve and silence in the pres-
ence Of her lover he will be certain TO
fancy her great deal wiser than she can
show herself by her talk. 'ite roy
Year: 1864

CHARACTER IS PowER-It is often said
that knowledge is power-and this is true.
Skill or faculty of any kind carries with it
superiority. So, to certain extent, wealth
is power, and genius has transcendent gift
Of mastery over man. But higher, purer,
and better than all, more constant in its in
fuence, more lasting in its sway, is the power
Of character-that power which emanates
from pure and lofty mind. Take any com
munity, who is the man of most influence
To whom do all look up with reference -
Not the smartest man, nor the cleverest pol
itician, nor the most brilliant talker, but he
who in a long course of years, tried by the
extremes of prosperity and adversely, has
approved himself to the judgment of his
neighbors and of all who have seen his life,
as worthy to be called aoise and good.
Year: 1864

JEFFERSON ON SECESSION. mo man,
no association of men, no State or States,
has right to withdraw itself from the
Union of its own accord The same power
that knit us together can unknit. The same
formality which formed the links of the
Union must consent to the withdrawal of any
one branch Of it. Until that consent has
been obtained, any attempt to dissolve the
Union or obstruct the efficacy of its consti-
tutional laws, is treason-treason to all in
tents and purposes
Year: 1864

MUSICAL TEST OF THE FEMALE VOICE.
The influence of the temper upon tone
deserves much consideration. Habits of
querulousness, or i'll nature, will commni-
cate a cat-like quality to the singing, as in
fallibly as they give peculiar quality to the
speaking voice. That there really exists
amiable tones, is not an unfounded opinion.
In the voice thero is no deception it is,
to many the index of the mind, denoting
moral qualities; and it may be remarked,
that the low, soft tones of gentle and
amiable beings, whatever their musical en-
dowments may be, seldom fail to please be-
sides which, the singing of ladies indicates
the cultivation of their taste generally, and
the embellishments of the mind For an in
slant, compare the vulgarity of ballad
singer, her repulsive tone of voice, and hid
eous graces, to the manner of an equally un-
cultivated singer in good society or watch
the treatment of pretty melody from the
concert room at the west end of London,
until it reaches the ear from under the par
lor window, and observe how it gains some
thing new of vulgarity with every fresh de-
graduation.
Year: 1864

We once saw young man bravely turn
ing up his glass he was true hearted, glo-
rious fellow, and was he said sowing hiswild
oats We afterwards saw policeman haul
ing miserable drunkard from gutter to
the station house. The wild oats were be-
ing harvested. lre
Year: 1864

NEW THOUGHTS BY AN OLD MAID
Men are like lucifer matches--the silent ones
are much more to be depended on than
those which go off with so loud a report that
they extinguish their own light. r..


There is time of life when we are con
tent with sitting at the window to see other
people pass, and this is about the earliest
symptom Of middle age The window,
which is the most eligible for this purpose,
is the old-fashioned beau-window.


Matrimony resembles the moderator lamp.
There is always something the matter with it.


How refreshing is tea, aud how exhilera-
ting IS an evening party; yet for both a
spoon is required, to prevent the sweets re-
naming unmixed for want of stir.


Existence, with its one success, after so
many disappointments, reminds us of the
game Of whist. 1t is only the last card that
we deal that turns up trump. ol


What wonderful thing is starch, and
what pity it is that we cannot dip some
weak minds in it. m a ls5
Year: 1864

MORNING AT PoMPEI-The dead city
wakes not like the living, and, though it has
now half divested itself of the ashy robe that
has clothed it for ages, the retreating night
leaves it yet slumbering on its funeral
couch. Tired to death, the tourists who saw
it yesterday yet linger in their beds, and the
morn tbatillumines the mummy city shines
there upon no human face Strange is it to
see by her rosy and azure light this carcase
of city death-stricken in the midst of its
pleasures, its labors, and its civilization, and
tion of an ordinary 1urn9 +hou te5sdy, dissolu-
ing that the masters Of these perIeeHu eE x Pect-
will come forth in their Greek or Roman
dress you listen for the roll of the chariot
whose track is still upon the pavement; you
look for the reveller to re-enter the tavern
where his cup has marked a ring upon the
counter. We walk in the past as though we
were dreaming of it; we glance at the cor
ners Of the streets, and there an inscription
in red letters announces the spectacle Of the
day. Only the day has gone by more than
seventeen hundred years SINCE Gautiler.