smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

BLACK PEARL FROM A MUssEL.-A black
pearl of rare value and beauty was found, on
Monday, says the Alta, in a mussel, which a
gentleman was eating. The shell fish was
taken somewhere along the coast. not far from
the Golden Gate.
Year: 1861




PosTrIoN OF SoUru CARoLrxA.-The Wash
ington correspondent of the San Francisco
Bulletin says;


The chief centre of interest at this time is
Fort Moultrie and the South Carolina State
Convention, which is expected to declare the
independence of that state and which as
sembled yesterday. The telegraph will ad-
wise you of the result of the convention. but
there is no doubt here that it will carry out
the programme of the Secessionists othe ut
most 1t will remain to be seen, however
what steps the State will take after secession
has been formally declared. If we may trust
the indications. there is a growing feeling of
conversion among the people even in the
Palmetto State and a disposition to wait for
joint action by other States before committing
overt acts of rebellion such as resisting Fed
eral authority or seizing the public propertv
The fact that r. Barnwell Rhett, a disunioi :
ist per Sc aud the most rampant advocate of
ultra measures, has just been defeated as
candidate for Governor before the Legislature
of the Palmetto State, is good sign Mr.
Pickens, his successful competitor is one Of
the most moderate and conservative among
those who advocate secession and his cleo
tion is sore point to those who would plunge
tHc CGdbe hC once, anu WlJnOut preparation,
into offensive demonstrations against the
General Government. Many of their peorle,
too, begin to talk of coming back into the
Union, after going out. 1t has not been sta
ted before, perhaps, that Mr.. Rhett endeavor-
ed to pledge portion of the candidates for
the State Convention, against ever favoring O
return to the Union, and many of them refus-
edthe pledge. The people have gone so far
aH IN Iaalo
if they do, no more but it begins already to
be doubted, in some political circles whether,
notwithstanding all the talk and threatenings,
any Southern State will commit itself to overt
acts of resistance to Federal Laws Already
they are beginning to feel the pressure of
those political embarrassments of secession to
which | have referred in former letters, and
they pause. If they once take time to con-
sider there is little reason to doubt that the
masses will soon be undeceived as to the sup
posed necessity for disunon.
Year: 1861

We once heard an old fellow, famous
all over the country for tough yarns, tell
the following. He was telling what
heavy wheat he had seen in the State cs
New York:


"My father. said be, once had deld
Of wheat the heads of which were SO Gloss
together, that the wild turkeys when they
came to eat it, could walk around on top
of it anywhere"


We suggested that the turkeys might
have been small ones.
No sir" continued he, "they were
very large ones; shot one Of Of them one
day. and when took hold Of his legs to
cary him. his head dragged in the snow
behind me-"


GA curious country you must have had
to have snow in harry est"


"Well declare" said be, looking a
little foolish. II have got two parts OF
story Mixed"
Year: 1861

Mr. EDIToR:


The practice that prevails in various
towns, of young men and boys congrega
ting at the corners of streets on the Sab
bath. where they not only obstruct the
passage but impudently gaze and make
remarks on those who pass, is one that
should. doubtless, be deprecated by all
who reverence the Sabbath and regard
good order. Better would it be for such
youngsters to be kept at home, within
doors, on the Sabbath, and that they
should occupy their time in reading, by
which they might qualify themselves for
better society than that of street idlers.


1t becomes parents, guardians, and
masters to attend to this matter; and in
view of their responsibility to exercise the
authority they possess, to stop this evil.
The youth alluded to are now forming
characters for life; suffer them to idle the
precious hours of the Sabbath away at
the corners of the streets, and it will not
be long till they will have imbibed all
concomitant vices. One great cause OF the
intemperence and poverty that abounds,
is the idle and dissolute habits that are
inDbed in youth on the sabbath day. al
the corners of the streets. Since | have
broached this subject, 1 will notice that
of rude children (who 10 be sure are to be
pitied for no. having been learned better
squalling and squabbling about the
streets, it is to be regretted Il at there is
not house of refuge at hand, wherever
there are such, to put them in and learn
them better manners. Another street
evil, is this: find in some places it is
common for females to stare gentlemen
almost out Of countenance in the streets
and to stand at their doors and gaze af-
ter them for half a square, I would be
happy if could be SO serviceable as te
hold mirror before such on such occa
sions, that they might see how ridiculous


hey look, for body to stand at the dool
gazing at passengers. in many places il


considered equivalent to an invitation tt


walk in. ~
Year: 1861

Dy@In 1856 there were thirteen States in this
Union, twelve OF which werve slave and one
Tree. In 1861 there are thirty-four States ami
seven Territories nineteen Of these States and
six of the Territories are free, and two other
States which now recognise slavery-Dela-
ware and Maryland will undoubtedly soon
be free States also. In five years from now
the SIX territories Will be ready to come into
the Union as States, under free labor lonstitu-
tons, and we shall then have twenty-seven
free States to thirteen slave States. Yet The
freedom shriekers are not satisfied with this
rapid progress and growth OF free territory
They are not content with anything sholt of
the destruction al this glorious country for the
sake OF getting hold OF the spoils, over which
they are now engaged in such a fierce squab-
BILE at Washington.
Year: 1861

0F Some queer fellow who has tried en-
says thai there are !wo sorts OF wine sold in our
town TO drink one s like swallowing an an
cry cat tue other is like pulling the animal
back again by the tail.
Year: 1861

But, sir, no language, either in prose or verse.
can portray the greatness OF his loss. His fame
is printed in the hearts of the people. From
the Green Mountains of his native State to the
white tops Of the Pacific Serras, while the
heavens bend above our land to bless it, the
rivers roll and the mountains stand to unite it,
or the ceaseless interchange Of traffic and thought
goes on by sea and rail, by telegraph or post
the people of America, from whose midst, as
poor boy, by his own self-reliance, he sprung,
will preserve in the Pantheon Of their hearts, to
an immortal memory, the name of STEPHEN
ARNOLD DOUGLAS.
Year: 1861

CURIOUS CASE OF INsANIrY.-A gentleman
arrived in this city yesterday from Michigan
Bar, accompanied with his wife, whom he
conveyed to the Insane Asylum, who be-
came insane in the following singular man
ner: About three months ago, having two
cats which she wished to dispose of, ON ac-
count Of their propensity for killing chick
ems, and not wishing to destroy them she
put them into a boiler for safe keeping until
some one came along who might want them.
The cats were forgotten and remained in
confinement about five days, when ey were
dead to the great horror of Mrs, who
at once blamed herself and has ever since
imagined she heard them, in their agony
witnessed their struggles to escape. This so
worked upon her mind that she made several
attempts to destroy herself 10y drowning, and
was once found in the river where the water
was but two feet deep, and would have ac-
compshed her purpose had there been more
water. She has four children. the youngest
about six months old.-Stockton argus, of
IHufSddy
Year: 1861

Are composed Of Vegetable Ingredients exclusively


as can be ascertained by chemical tests Their
prominent qualities those of an active and
searching, though perfectly mild and agreeable de-
telgent aperient; Of "a gentle suporiic, p omoting
the insensible perspiratOn Of pleasant diuretic


invigoratng tie kidneys and bladder; and of a
delightful tonic cardiac. exciting appetite by the
demands OF active digestion and cheering the mind
with that grateful sense of renovated health which
Year: 1861

But it is unnecessary to enumerate the many
cas@s in which these purely vegetable me6icibes
have been successful but let us enquire: Why are
they so universal in their happy effects?


Because they purify the blood, and thus reno
vate all cause Of disease in the system.


Because they act powerfully upon the secretions
of the body, aud remove all Impurities at once.


Because they do not reduce the system, invig-
crate it-thus requiring restraint from pleasure
or hnsiness dnriua ua their onaratinn-
Year: 1861

The white bear is well known, sub
sists principally on seals, and he kills many
of them on the sheets of "fast" ice but
how he manages 10 get within arms length
OF them is beyond what ! can understand
when the seals are ahoai about one loose
drilt ice. Bruins lille game is obvious
enough He finds his seal" by eyes or
nose, i'll The use of both oil which organs u
ntartimus is unsurpassed by any wild animal
whose acquaintance have ever m made !;
aud then, slipping into the water half a
mile or so TO oIee-ward of his prey, he swims
slowly and silently toward him, Keeping
very lille of his head above water. On
approaching The ice on which the seal is
lying, the bear slips along unseen under the
edge of il until he is close under the hap
less seal, when one jump up and one blow
OF his tremendous paw generally settles
the business. The seal cannot 90 fast
enough to escape by crossing TO the other
side OF the iceberg, if be jumps down when
the bear is close TO him, he does the best
he can for his life, for, if he does not Jump
actually ITO The arms OF his foe and gets
into The water, he is very likely 10 escape,
the bear having no chance whatever when
the seal is once fairly aaoat Il cannot be
very easy, even for an animal of such pros
digous strength as the polar bear, To keep
hold of a six hundred weight seal during
the fret contortions of the latter, and fu-
rious struggle must often take place. That
the seals often escape from the grasp OF the
bear is certain, for we ourselves shot al;
least half dozen of large seals which were
deeply gashed and scared by the claws of
bears. II is evidently fear of the bear which
makes the seals 30 uneasy and restless
when they are on ;he ice, as very many of
these seals in all probability never saw a
man or a boat in all their lives
Year: 1861

believe that farmers generally are not
aware how much loss hey sustain in the
flesh ol their domestic animals, and how
much they suffer during tie cold storms of
ram in the summer, or at any other season
of the year. Warm showers never iniure
animals indeed, they appear TO have a
good relish for such a sprinkling as they
frequently get, providing it is not as cold as
ice. Most animals will endure pretty Sc
we're cold, as long as they can keep dry !;
but a. soon as their bodies have been wet,
and are kept wet evaporation commences.
And as evaporation is cooling process, the
heat OF their bodies is carried away very
rapidly and the sudden transition from
heat TO cold chills ;hem in a very short time
and Injuries them more than a severe storm
in winter.


Animals will endure very sudden change
from cold 10 heat with impuniiy; but sud-
den changes from heat TO cold are often at
tended with very serious consequences -
We are apt TO think because il is simmer,
or not freezing weather, that storm of rain
" III Hot nun oui dHltudiS DHl COutu lueS
communicate 10 Us their feelings during
storm o.. cold rain, there would not be so
much negligence about protecting them,
especially during The cod aud stormy days
and nights OF autumn.


well remember that about twenty years
ago there was a severe rain storm in the
month oil June; and although our sheep
had been shearei more than two weeks,
we thought they ought TO be brought home
10 the barn Bu. many OF the IN were so
cold and feeble in consequence of the rain
that it was necessary 10 90 after them with
a wagon.


About the 1st Of July, 1861, there was an
other very cold storm of rain, which swept
away hundreds OF sheep in the town where
! resided. One farmer lost about sixty oI
his choicest sheep, although they had been
sheared several days before The storm came
on. have heard OF more than three hun,
dred lost during the storm


II is infinitely better Tor animals TO keep
them in stable or shed, where they can,
not get mouihiubof food for Twelve sue.
cessive hours, than 10 allow them 10 be ex.
posed for only two hours to storm of cold
rain.


/ When was accustomed TO keep sheep,
Year: 1861

benefit OF shed, if they need it, not only
in winter, but during summer; and it was
very unusual that our horse and neat cattle
were left for one hour in the field during a
cold storm. Cold storms not only make
cattle look bad bot they do really injure
them, by rendering Them stiff and Gull;
and they often contract severe cold, which
many times viii superi6duce catarrh and
glanders.


Young calves and colts often suffer ex-
remely from exposure TO cold storms, even
in summer; and 10 shelter them, will be
time and money well appropriated IA
merciful man regardeih the life of his teaet.
Country Gentleman
Year: 1861

SAVING FOR Oh AGE.-No one de-
MES that it is wise to make a provision for
old age, but we are not all agreed as to
the kind of provision it is best to lay in
Certainly, we shall want a little money for
destitute old man is indeed a sorrowful
sight, and suggests to every one that his
life has been foolishly if not wickedly
spent. You save money, by all MEANS
But an old man needs just that particular
kind of strength which young men are
most apt to waste. Many foolish young
fellow will throw away on holiday cer-
tain amount of nervous energy which he
will never feel the want of until he is sew
enty; and then how much he will want it.
1t is curious, but true, that bottle of
champagne at twenty may intensity the
rheumatism at, three score. 1t is a fact
that everlasting the eyes at fourteen may
necessitate the aid of spectacles at forty !,
instead of eighty. We advise our young
readers to be saving Of health for their old
age Tor the maxim holds good with re-
gard to health as to money-waste not
want not. 1t is the greatest mistake to
suppose that any violation of the laws of
health can escape its penalty.


Nature forgives no sin, no error. She
lets off the offender for fifty years, some
times, but she catches him at last, and in
Aicts the punishment just when, just where
just how be feels it most. Save UP for old
age, but save more than money ; save
health, save honor, save knowledge, save
the recollection of good deeds and innocent
pleasures save pure thoughts, save friends,
save love, save rich stores of that kind of
wealth, time cannot diminish, nor death
take away.
Year: 1861

A LIAR.-Among the many anecdotes
of Buena Vista one beats all others An
Arkansas soldier being wounded asked an
Irishman to take him of the field The
latter did SO by assisting him to mount his
horse the Irishman riding before Du-
ring the ride the wounded Arkansian had
his head shot off by cannon ball, un
known to his companion. Arriving at the
Surgeons quarters the Irishman was ask
ed what he wanted


l brought this man to have his leg dress
ed, said Pat.


why his head is off, said the surgeon


"The bloody liar y exclaimed Pat look
ing behind him; che tould me he was only
shot in the leg
Year: 1861

WoLLEN Socks FOR THE ARMY-The fol-
lowing directions, which have been fur
nished by lady of much experience, may
prove useful 10 those who will engage in
knitting wooden socks fo6 the army. The
yarn should be blush gray, No. %, and The
needles, No. II or Is.


Set up twenty. seven stitches on each
needle. Knit two plain and two seam rows
alternately, ur,i the ribbing is three inches
long then knit plain seven inches for the
leg, remembering the seam one stitch at the
end of one needle. To form the heel, put
twenty stitches on two of the needles and
forty one on the olher-ihe seam stitch be-
ing in the middle. Knit the first row plain !;
the next row seam, and so alternately until
the heel is three inches long then narrow
The PLAIN row each side of the seam, stitch
for five plain rows which will leave thirty
one stitches. To close the heel, knit the
last seam row 10 the middle of the needle.
knit the seam stitch plain, then fold the two
needles together, and with another needle
take off the seam stitch. Then knife a
stitch from both needles at once and bind
the seam stitch over il. Continue knitting
in this manner until but one is left and the
heels is closed. Take up as many stitches
as there rows around the heel knit one
round plain; then widen every fifth stitch
on the heel needles. Narrow once al every
round at each side of the foot until there
are tweniy-seven stitches on each needle ;



knit plain six inches narrow at the begin :
ming and end of every third needle on each
round till you have seventeen stitches on
each; then narrow every second round Till
the foot is closed. One pound costing from
seventy five cents TO one dollar, will fur
nish four pair OF socks.


| "lt Is wrong 10 take snuff, said a Yam
kee philosopher, 'ior it teaches the nose a
bad habit, and man is always cure 70 lcl;
Year: 1861

WHAT THE War WILL CosT-This is a
question that IS now discussed By some Of
The newspapers certainly for no good pur-


pose The man who will stop TO count the
cost as TO The means TO sustain his country,
would question a. physicians bill for STOP
ping a wound in his chiIds flesh while It's
life-bood was running, Our wealth owing TO
our present good Government. Ii that is
destroyed, the loss will be hundred lold
greater than the cost of the war, as property
would hardely be worth holding. Besides,
ii is great mistake 10 suppose the money
expended in war is ali lost Holland grew
and increased in wealth while prosecuting
a seven years war, and it is not certain
tha; this war, tho1gh great calamity will
not in the end prove a blessing. The great
loss OF blood aud treasure will be expended
sn placing our government'on foundation
that rebels will never attempt to shake
hereafter And the money is spent a
Year: 1861




This important step has been pat
into execution, and we are pleased to
notice that nearly every person sub
ject to this duty comes forth with !,
will, some few perhaps endeavor to
evade it; very few we trust We
intended suggesting the propriety OF
drilling the citizens Of Shreveport in
or near the city, for, when the order
is issued to assemble several miles
distant, we think it unreasonable that
a punctual attendance should be cx-
pectcd. We understand, however,
with much pleasure, tha, this viii not
be the case in future. System is re-
quisite in everything. let US have it
in this.
Year: 1861

This region is blessed with an
unusually abundant fruit crop
We have never seen peaches and


apples grow finer or in greater
abundance. Dried fruit is excel
lent for the winter time, and espe-
cially desirable for an army making
a winter campaign. Therefore, we
hope the patriotic and thrifty peo-
pie throughout the country will
dry more fruit than ever before.


For army purposes it will com
mand a paying price, and also sup
ply great home desideratum.-
Those who are able and disposed
to aid in contributing to the COM
fort and health of Southern sol
diers exposed to the hardships and
privations of a winter campaign,
could hardly better accomplish that
purpose than by donating supplies
of nicely dried peaches and apples.
The harvest time is pretty well
over; corn laid by. Will not those
whohave orchards set their idle
hands to cutting and drying fruit?
Year: 1861

! A distinguished minister of


Richmond has written to a friend
In the following strain concern
ing the Lincoln handouts:


Nothing that has yet been
done by the North has SO deep
lily moved my indignation. A
voting minister, who was silenced
in Alexandria by Federal authority


has just reached this county Bed


ford.) He says there is no doubt


the design was to take prisoners


and arrest private citizens, hand


cuff them, and march them in front


of the battle for their own pro-


lection. The design was infa-


nous. 1t could never enter into
hearts not bereft of every emotion
Of chiyalry and sslfrespect. It's
positively fiendish. 1t must move
the South to the most united,
determined and heroic resistance
that the world has ever seen


My arms were not made to wear
handouts, nor shall they, while
God gives me strength to resist.
L believe that thirty thousand
handouts will be worth more than
thirty thousand volunteers to the
South. They must inspire the
South with an everlasting loath-
ing of the race that could plan
for them degradation SO pro-
found and galling-an injury that
we cannot retaliate without sac.
our character in the esti-
nation of the civilized world"
Year: 1861

The Way ,re are Cheoted.-A
gentleman returned from Fortress
Monroe, showed US yesterday
specimen of the kind of stuff which
has been palmed off upon the
government in the way of shoes.
This is nothing less than a shoe
with a aoOotien inner sole. The.
wood is planned down to the thick
ness Of shingle, is covered with
q strip OF leather, and made to
resemble the genuine article"
The consequence is, that as soon
as the outer sole is worn through,
the shoe becomes worthless, and
the unfortunate wearer goes about
with what. appears to. be a lot of
splinters in his feet.-Al6any (N.


~ Journal.
Year: 1861

The fredericksburg News, IN
all editorial wherein the lying de-
ceit of the Yankees to excuse
the rout Of their army in the
great battle, is exposed, relates the
following incident:


Late in the afternoon of the bat
tie, after the retreat of the enemy,
the large number of our baggage
wagons and. ambulances on the
field engaged in removing t h e
wounded and dead as well as the
trophies Of victory, were sudden
ly alarmed by a loud report of
guns arising from the explosion
Of shells in the boxes of a burnt
artillery carriage on the field,
which suggested the return OF
. the enemy to surprise us. The
drivers put whip to their horses
and rushed precipitately at the
height of their speed past our
reserve forces, proclaiming the
cause of the sudden running away
TO be in pursuit by the enemy.
Did our reserve forces become af-
fected by the panic? On the
contrary, there stood Gen. Holmes
Brigade, consisting of Col. Bates
Walker Legion, Tennessee Vol
unteers, Col. Fasan's lst Arkan-
sas Regiment and Capt. Walkers
Rife Artillery unmoved by the
general panic which had seized
upon teamsters, and instead of
Initiating their retreat clamored
for forward movement to meet
the imaginary pursuers.


Such is the contrast between
the effect of q fight of teamsters
upon the vandal invaders from
from The North and q similar IN
cident upon our brave soldiers.
The one is quick to emulate the
example of the panic stricken
wagon drivers; the other but de-
rives new hope from similar
circumstance til at they will
promptly be brought in close con-
tact with an enemy whose heels
had already taken them far, far
away.
Year: 1861

iftf twentieth 8ifth- Day.
Grlhood's sunny days are over


With to-day;
They, with all their wayward brightness


Pass away
Woman's earnest path before me


Lieth straight,
Who can tell what grief and anguish


There await?
Guide me, Father! God of Mercy!


On the way;
Never from thy holy guidance


Let ne stray
Give what need Of joy or sorrow


Pleaseth Thee,
whatsoe'er thy will oriaineth


Best for me.
In the shadow and the darkness


Be my star,
In the light, lest radiance dazzle,


Go not far!
Make me patient, kind and gentle,
Day BY day;
Teach me how to live mere nearly
As pray.
That my heart so much des siroth


Grant me still,
If that earnest hope acccrdeth


With thy will:
Should thy mercy quite withheld it,


Be Thou near.
Lst me feel hold its premise


All loo dear.
Here, upon life's very threshold,


Take my heart;
From Thy holy Guidance let it
Meier depart.
When life's stormy strife is over


Take me home,
There 20 be more fully, truly,


Thine alonel