smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1860

To RAISE THE PILE ON VELVET
We are sometimes asked "what is the
best thing to do with a velvet mantle
after it has been in the rain ?" Velvet
that is rough and knotty, from rain
spots and splashes, can be rendered
smooth again by thoroughly damping
the back of it, and then passing the
back of the velvet over hot iron-the
velvet, remember, must be passed over
the iron, and not the iron over the vel
vet. The heat converts the water into
steam which rises through the pile, and
SO separates every filiament. Some
contrivance must be made to hold the
iron upside down while the velvet is
passed over it. If rested between two
bricks covered with flannel, it will do
very well; but if the same pair OF
hands that carried the umbrella over
the mantle when it was out in the rain
can be secured for that office, they will
be found suitabler- Germantoacn Isle-
graph.
Year: 1860

When we were in Washington two
or three weeks ago, we heard from all
quarters the great mass of the members
of both sections were heavily fright
ed with all sorts of portable facilities
for letting blood. We believe we were
rather pet of both sections, and we
hope we betray no sacred confidence
in saying, that whenever Northern or
Southern members got little maudlin
and threw their arms affectionately
around US, (of course to steady them
selves,) we almost invariably felt the
butts of pistols and the hats of bowie
knives press against our shrinking
frame.


One morning we put our overcoat in
the rack at Browns Hotel and went to
breakfast. When we returned, our
coat was gone, but another somewhat
resembling it lay near. We took up
the latter, but put it back with horror
on finding big, frightful looking re-
volver in one of the pockets. With
some misgivings, such as man might
be supposed to feel in opening what he
suspected to be an internal machine, we
took up the next, and 10 there was a
big pistol in one pocket, and something
in the other that we didn't stop to ex-
anime. Finding the rack to be we'll
furnished arsenal, we withdrew, and
the day being cold, we remained an
hour and half in the hotel, carefully
scrutinizing the integuments of every
gentleman that seemed to have q par
ticularly genteel overcoat. At length
We returned to the arsenal, and the
coat first examined by as still remained.
Concluding that even a firs-eater
couldn't have been breakfasting so long
unless upon burning Goals and aquafor-
tis tea, we were about calling for aser-
want to take the firearms out of the
the pocket, 1--WE have a mortal antipa-
thy to touching such things ourself)
intending to wear the coat, for it was
very hundsome one. At that moment
a very mild hammered Western mem
ber of Congress stepped up with, an
embarrassed look, and seeing at once
that we looked like a gentleman who
had lost something, remarked that he
really believed he had got somebody
else's overcoat. The matter was made
right at once, but we couldn't help
thinking how awkward and insecure
the member must have felt, when, in
the very act, perhaps, of walking about
among other Congressional al belligerents
he had thrust his hands into what he
supposed to be his pocket, aud found
nothing there more dangerous to life
than dozen pretty notes from dozen
pretty poetesses.
Year: 1860

And there were sudden partings-such as press
The life from out young hearts"


At the door of a vine covered cot
tage, in the year l775, steed, capari-
soned as if for long journey, stood
paving the ground with impatience.
The reins were held by a man in a
gray surout, confined at the waist by a
leather girdle. He was evidently
awaiting the appearance of some one,
whose delay caused him to pour forth
many curse upon the horse and its
owner, and he employed himself in
venting his spleen upon the poor ami
mal-sometimes striking him with his
whip, and then having recourse to the
reins, with which he lashed unmerci-
fully-spite of his kicks and plungos.
At length the door of the cottage slow
ly Enclosed, and young man in the
blue uniform Of America, enlivened by
its shining brass buttons, appeared, and
never did the gold laced equipments Of
the gayest cavalier in the service of
Charles of England, grace nobler
form than was there presented in this
humble uniform. His high white fore
head, shaded by masses of raven curls ;
his cheek, glowing with manhood's
richest bloom; his firm compressed lips
whose smiles and seriousness contend
ed for the mastery; his air of dignity,
blended with grace-all denoted per-
son of gentle birth and refined man.
ners. But his eye full of animation,
was his mostremarkable efeature-large,
deep, black as nights glance seemed
to burn into the very soul. By his side
appeared young female, fragile and
lovely as the delicate blossoms breath
ing their fragrance over the lattice, and
on this fair creature were the dark eyes
of the soldier fxed-gazing into the
depths of hers, as star sheds its beams
upon the petals of the violet. And she
but child in years-a bright spring
flower, hardly arrived at perfection
passionately clinging to his arm, wind
ing around it the waxen softness of hel
own, as the ivy seeks protection from
the oak. Her half parted lips culver
ing with the farewell she could not ut
ter, and her dove like eyes raised to his
with timid fondness. 1t was a beauti
full picture thus called into life in an
American forest.


My own Laura-my sweet bride, ,
said the soldier, "you know. not how
bitter this parting is to me. Reproact
me not; for be assured, naught but the
clarion voice of my bleeding country


would ever tear me from your side


Since the time when / bore you from
your fathers house, and swore to cher
ish and protect you as my life's blood
since that happy hour life has beer
to me as fairy dream. We have beer
too happy, Laura, and that makes the
anguish of our parting greater. Yet
go not to mingle in the gay worlt


which I have foresworn for your sake


I go not to enjoy the dissipated pleas


ures of royal camp. / go to fight fo


you and freedom. To bare my breas


to the storm, and nerve my soul to dan


ger. go to assist in wrenching tn


oppressor's chain, and prove mysel
worthy Of the commission with whicl
Year: 1860

Corn CAKE FOR BREAKFAsT.-Mix
at night, one quart of cornmeal with
water enough to make thin batter,
adding teaspoonful of yeast, and salt
to suit the taste. In the morning, stir
III two eggs, and small teaspoonfdl Of
soda, and with a spoon, beat it long
and hard. Butter a tin pan, pour the
mixture into it, and bake Immediately
about half an hour, in moderately
heated oven.
Year: 1860

To MAKE PURE WINE OF APPLES
Take pure cider. made from sound ripe
apples, as it runs from the press; put
sixty pounds common brown sugar in
to fifteen gallons of cider, and let it
dissolve; then pnt the mixtare into a
clean barrel, and fill the barrel up to
within two gallons of being full With
clean cider put the cask in a cool
place, leaving the bung out three or
four weeks.
Year: 1860

To drum beat and heart beat


A soldier marches by;
There is a color in bis cheek,


There is courage in his eye.
Yet to drum beat and heart beat


In moment be must die
By starlight and moonlight


BE seeks the Briton' scamp;
He hears the rustling flag
And the armed sentry's tramp
And the starlight and moonlight


His silent wanderings lamp.
With slow tread and still tread


He scans the tented line,
And he counts the battery guns
By the gaunt and shadowy pine
And his slow tread and still tread
Gives no warning sign.
The dark wave. the plumed wave
1t meets his eager glance;
And it sparkles meath the stars
Like the glimmering of lance,
A dark wave, a plumed wave


On an emerald expanse.
A sharp clang, steel clang,


And terror in the sound,
For the sentry, falcon-eyed,
In the camp spy hath found
And with sharp clang and steel clang
The patriot is bound.
With calm brow and steady brow



In his look there is no fear


Nor shadow-face of gloom
But with calm brow and steady brow
He robes him for the tomb.
In the calm night, the still night
He kneels upon the sod,
And the brutal guards withhold
Fen the solemn word of God
In the long night, the still night
He walks where Christ hath trod.
Meath the blue morn. the sunny morn
He dies upon the tree,
And he mourns that he can lose
But one life for Liberty
And in the blue morn, the sunny morn
His spirit wings are free.
But his last words-his message words
They burn-lest friendly eye
Should read how proud and calm
patriot might die.
With his last words, his dying words,
A soldiers battle cry.
From fame leaf and angel leaf.
From monument and men,
The sad of earth, the glad of Heaven,
His tragic fate shall learn;
And on fame leaf and angel leaf
The name of HALE shall burn.
Year: 1860

your habit2 Would you rather take the
lowest seat among such, than the highest A.
mong others2 Then you have already learn
ed to be God. You may not have made
much progress, but even Il good beginning il
not to be despised. Hold on your way, and
seek to be the companion of all that fear God
81 you shall be wise for yourself, and wise


for eternity.
Year: 1860

FEMALE ENTERPRIsE.-Cal is more
susceptible to female influence than any
other country In the world. Here. whatever
women will, they do; and whatever they
will net, they won't. In the mountains
particularly. they have their own way in
everything; 1T must be as they say. Last
fall the ladies OF Columbia said their town
must have a fire engine: tie work they went
and now that town has two first class en-
gines and one of the most efficient FIRE De-
pariments in the State. Next, the Sis.erhood
of Shaw's Flat wanted a bell for their
church they had only to dance one evening
to get it. Last week, the city mothers of
Columbia resolved to ameliorate the condi-
ton OF the rising generation. To accomplish
this laudable end they gave another of those
interesting ladies' festivals, where everybody
can find rational and profitable amusement,
from the proceeds of which they realized
FIVE hundred dollars, to be appropriated to
the benefit OF the public school. Their in
huence is all on the right side. Success to
their etforts.-!Soaora 4ge.
Year: 1860

About 100000 sewing machines have been
sold in the last eight years 1t is probable
that number will be sold annually hereafter
Contrary to the predictions of many on the
first introduction of sewing machines, sew
ing girls, those whom necessity compels to
earn their livelihood by the use of the needle
have been greatly benefited by this inven-
tipn. Thousands of them have found better
remuneration and lighter toll. 1t is no un-
common thing for those who, toiliug night
and day, could earn only one or two dollars
per week, TO now receive from three to ten
dollars per week for operating sewing ma
chine, two-thirds as many hours, and with
lighter labor.
Year: 1860

Theodore Parker, the heterodox Boston
fensive and euloglstic of ''old maids" and
DR.. Scott, the learned and liberal editor of
the Expositor, has lately uttered the subjoined
good word for the same pitiable class of fem
mines:


We do not see the wit, nor the philosophy
nor the patriotism, nor the common sense,
nor the religion in making fun of an old
maid who is snch by no fault of her own,
bat either by the visitation of some unseen
Judgment, or rather by the non-ris itation OF
the partner assigned her when she was mar
Fied in heaven, but who delays his coming
still wandering about, a homeless vagabond
or it may be, lodged somewhere in the wrong
house.
Year: 1860

The San Andreas Independent is authority
for the singular statement that petrifed
yellow jacket, perfect in form, even to the
entire preservation of its wings, was lately
found two hundred feet deep in bank of
auriferous gravel. We have seen the EN-
blematic butterfly of Psyche in stone, bat
this unsculptured stone wasp is rather sur
prising-er would be if we conld credit the
story of its discovery.
Year: 1860

The papers from below tell of metallic
mercury being lodged in thousands of bould
ers strewn for miles on the surface of Napa
county. If this be true, man to learn
with what rapidity riches may be. acquired,
should go to Mt. St. Helens and see how
quicksilver is found
Year: 1860

brick school house is to be built at Co.
lumbia, costing S4so0 and q court house
at Tehama to cost $4,000. It would really
be economy and a practical, profitable bus
mess stroke for the people Of North San
Juan to erect brick school house, at an ex-
pense of about 5000 but we know tue ut
ter hopeessness there is Of persuading them


to do such a thing for at least a year to come.
Year: 1860

All Of our citizens who attended the Ma
sons and Odd Fellows Ball at Grass Valley
speak rapturously Of the affair, and most
gratefully of the hospitabe treatment ex-
tended to them. Our quartziferous neigh
bors have made themselves big name in
this locality, and we hereby extend to them
our E@9Sn The architectural and links-eye.i
brothers have done themselves honor.
Year: 1860

gentleman from Western Utah Informs
US that he saw a mass of rich lead ore of
about one hundred pounds weight, which
was taken from the Galena vein lately found
in the hills cast of Smiths Valley.
Year: 1860

There is an early prospect Of two horse
expresses to California; one via Salt Lake
and the other via FL Paso AMI the Pixies
Peak Express Company have decided to run
in connection with their line, pony express
from Leavenworth TO Sacrainents. The time
is fixed at ten days.
Year: 1860

The San Jose Reporter is in favor of abol-
ishing capital punishment in California If
the Legislature ever builds secure State
prison, we shall also have word 10 say
against the useless choking system.
Year: 1860

The San Francscans have had several
earthquake hints of their future doom, within
q few weeks past. We did not mention each
shake as it occurred, because the subject
would soon grow tedious, and pieer to
give it the air of novelty by mentioning all
together.
Year: 1860

MARYsvILLE AND san FRANCISCO RAILROAD.
The grading is now progressing at the
rate of p mile "a week, and it is the intention
of the contractor 10 have on sufficient force
to double that rate the coming week The
increased force VIII begin at Suisun City
and work this way. Twenty -tliree miles are
now under contract, and are to be completed
in June next, leaving but about Twenty-Five
miles to finish between here and Snisun
and this will probably be let out in a short
time, and be finished about as soon as the
weather and water will permit.


The company have now on hand 100000
in Comfy Bonds-SS0 600 IN Soiano County
Bonds and $4,000 in Bonds of Yuba Co
to carry on the work. which is enough with
what collections can be made, to do all the
grading between here and Susun City, at
which point good steamboat connection can
be made With San Francisco, and the time
of transit reduced to five hours. now re-
quiring fifteen hours down and thirty up
The contractor is sanguine that that desir-
able result can be obtained before the end of
this year.-Erpress.
Year: 1860

A CELESTIAL TRAIT.-Somebody saw q
Chinese steward at hotel in this county
squirting water from his mouth upon towel
in which he subsequently, wrapped some bis
cuit to be placed in the stove for steaming.
Somebody says, "that day ] ate no more
biscuit"
Year: 1860

Silver ore of considerable richness is said
to have been discovered in Tuolumne county
The Sonora Age tells this, and also reports
the recent finding of lump of gold weigh
ing l0J pounds
Year: 1860

Is most urgently recommended. Already has it found
its way into the principal public and private Hospitals
in the country and wherever it has been once used it
forthwith becomes necessity.
Year: 1860

The Sacramento Union of Monday pub
lshed in supplemental sheet siSty-one acts
passed by the present Legislature, and which
have become laws by the approval of the
Governor. They are nearly all Of a special
and local character, and many of them re-
late to subjects which, under a mere simple
and rational system than ours, would not
require legislative action at all. The day
must come when more authority will be
vested in townships and counties and less in
the Legislature. These subdivisions ought
to have sole control over all matters strictly
relating to themselves. Every county ought
to be a State in epitomc. We think another
generation will see the wisdom of discardinr
the present loose system, which allows so
much latitude to the Legislature, and adopt
the more democratic one that obtains in New
England, though not quite perfect there
The best local government makes the best
and cheapest general government; and where
every town manages its own affairs. decar-
ing It's will In mass meetings and choosing
lis own officers 10 execute it, there is the
most intelligence and the most subordina-
ton. The sovereignty of the individual. as
well as the virtue Of The individual, is by
such system preserved and increased and
in the preservation Of individuality lies the
safety and hope of republican institutions
Year: 1860

Produced. as it is. by process known only to the
hanuf'ctnres and extracted from the choicest grain


which grows no where but ina favored locality in the
Valley of the Monongaola aud containing no particle
OF de!eterioas admxture; it has acquired reputation
for perfect purity and intrinsic excellence based solely
upon its intrinsic merit which the Proprietor does not
intend shall be forfeited Its universal use by the
Year: 1860

OMECA.-This place is said to be remark
able for its great extent of mining ground
Immense gravel beds, resting upon a spur
of the main South Yuba ridge, about 1000
feet above he stream and 1000 or 1000 feet
above sea level, just where they were prob
ably left by an earthquake boost" thousands
of years ago--these constitute the IiggingS
Of Omega, where hundreds of strong armed
town is % miles above Nevada. Its sur
rounding mines are supplied with l,2o0
inches of water by kidd's Ditch, and l4oo
inches more by the new Omega Ditch, at
the reasonable price of twenty cents an inch,
and sometimes double measurement at that,
when there is not sufficient sale for all that
is flowing. The Omega ditch is one of the
wonders of the mountains. 1t is thirteen
miles long, is fed by the South Eaba, has a
capacity Of 5000 inches, and five miles of
its length consists of fume four feet wide
This fume runs around high cliffs of rock
In many places, and the grade for it was
blasted at great expense. The rock below
it is a sheer precipice for several hundred
feet in certain localities, and nervous people
would grow dizzy looking down. The lum-
Der for this work was drawn in one-horse
cars over a railway which was laid in the
fume itself as fast as it was built The dig
gings are reported to yield well in every in
stance where washing is conducted system
atically. Such companies as have their
claims opened to a sufficient width run drifts
at the base of the bank and by piping out
pillars greatly facilitate the procurement of
earth. The hydraulic process is in general
use. The amount Of water used to claim
is from one hundred to two hundred inches.
In two years from this, Omega will be
place of note, for by that time, we are told,
forty or fifty companies will be washing.


SAN JUAN DlsTRIcr.-But little of interest
has come to our know ledge this week. A
break on the Middle Yuba Canal, near the
Wisconsin ranch, at the beginning of the
week, caused q days loss Of water The
slnices of Mattesou Co., on the Middle
Iuba opposite Freemans crossing, were
robbed probably by Diggers. A half in
tercst in these diggings was sold for 2,009.
The whole set of claims was sold ut the
time OF the Frazer river craze for 81 l,00O-
They have been worked ever since, and part
of the time have yielded large wages
Year: 1860

Forty-nine swans have been received in New
York for the Central Park They are from Lon
don, fifty were sent, but one died on the passage.


There was slight fall of snow in New York city
on Wednesday. On Sunday night there was
frost on the Undson
Year: 1860

borough Prince Georges county while tending
threshing machine day last week, had one of
his hands caught in the machine and drawn In, the
arm being torn from his body about four inches
above the elbow.
Year: 1860

How TO PREVENT SORE SHOULDERS IN WORKING
HoRsEs.-An exchange SAYS: "The plan we have
tried and never found to fail is to get piece of
leather, and have it cut into shape so as to lie
snugly between the shoulders of the horse and the
collar. This fends off all the friction, the col
lar slips and moves on the leather and not the
shoulders of the horse Chatng is caused by fric
tion; hence this remedy is quite plausible one,
and is much better than tying slips of leather or
pads of sheep skin under the collar.".
Year: 1860

THEODORE PARKER.-In bis native land he was
regarded by the largest number OF people as a
fanatic, an infdel, and disturber Of society
ard some of the Boston clergy once prayed for
bis removal from the earth. For ourselves, we
never agreed with bis ideas of what is proper to
he done with reference to slavery, nor approved
his violent opposition to the fugitive slave law.
But alter all this it must be said that he had
great loving heart, which yearned for the good
81 all men, lie uttered many noble and eloquent
protests against superstition and all forms of
mental tyranny, against dull, lifeless Journalism
IN church and society, against lack of conscience
in government and all kinds of public and pri.
N,ate wrong. lie stood up for the integrity of
Inc individual, for The fullest freedom of opinion,
Tor the dignity and inherent goodness of human
nature When most fanatcal in the opinion of
men, he said things which thrilled them in spite
OF themselves, and convinced them of his honest,
nnselfsh purpose. lie worsbipped truth and du.
iy' as be conceived them, aud led life accordant
with his conception. lie was able to do much
good in The world. and bis influence for GOOD will
long survive him.-MayysvWe AppeqL
Year: 1860

A BEAUTIFUL ExTRAcT.-The following para
graph is from the Wisconsin Farmer:


''To the majority OF men we are satisfied that
the soil is nothing but dirt 4; but to the chemist
who knows its origin. its nature and its capabii-
ties, it is a wonderful mixture of those beautiful
elements, which in their ever varying forms, be-
come the ambient air, the liquid ocean, the
precious opal, the amethyst and the still more
precious diamond; or delicate blue-bell and
violet the amaranib, the lily, and the rosebud ;
the spear of blue grass, and the cedar of Le-
banon or again, the ruby lip, the lovelit eye,
the noble palpitating heart and more wonderful
brain. These are the jewels of which the soil is
composed, and out Of which the husband man
strives to force the food hunger Graves. Hence
forth as he turns the furrows of the field. let the
sleep OF mis- thoughts be broken by the reflection
Mat the earth thus stirred up by the plowshare,
is doubtless composed in part of the ashes of
ancestral heroes. whose deeds are the history of
the past, and whose mortal remains are the
plastic material out of which we are building
the bodies of men today?"