smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

The usual crop after potatoes is


weeds, which have ample time to ma


ture their seeds before frost comes, and


to make trouble for many years after


wards. Few farmers estimates the


amount of damage done to their lands


by this untimely seeding. We have


seen land so stocked with charlock,


Canada thistles, and other weeds,


was fully doubled. Their presence


deprecated the value of oats and bar


ley, and even of grass. No grain or


grass seed fit to be sold can be raised


upon it, and even the manure made


from the feeding of such crops is less


valuable by reason of foul seeds. Yet


many farmers press right on, stocking


their lands with weeds, as it were a


most valuable crop. The potatoes are


dug and marketed in July, or early in


August, and the ground lies waste for
the rest of the season. If crops are not


wanted, the opportunity should be


improved to destroy weeds. Plow the
land as soon as the potatoes are off,
After ten days go Overitwith harrow.
This will destroy a second crop OF
weeds. In ten days more go over it with
a brush harrow, which will destroy a
third crop. In two weeks follow
with a harrow, and so on, until the
frost comes in November. A second
crop may be taken from the potato
ground. If not in good heart, sow su-
per-phOsphate, or Peruvian guanO, at
the rate of 300 pounds to the acre, on
the old rows. Go over the rows once
with a cultivator. Sow turnip seed
upon the fresh soil, and put
them in with a light One-hOrse har-
row or brush. When the turnips are
up, cultivate between the rows and
keep those free from weeds. The tur-
nips will soon shade the ground, and
prevent the growth of weeds between
the rows. There are frequently three
or more between the early pO-
tato harvest and the closing of the
and in this time fine crop Of
white tuInips may be grown at a cost !
of less than six cents bushel. They |
are excellent for young cattle, and |
will assist materially in making beef
and mutton. Sometimes the potatoes |
come off early enough for buckwheat 1
or the winter grains. If manure is ju-
diciously used, two crops in a season |
may be taken from the sOil.-Ameri- /
can AgricuLttTiSt.
Year: 1869

The Toledo Commercial tells the
following ghost story:


"Our readers will remember that on
the 1st of July last, Patrick Shaugh-
messy, captain of the scow Red Rover,
was killed at Ten-mile Creek, about
ten miles below this city. After the
sad event. a man by the name OF Con-
nelly was placed in charge of the seOw
and sailed her since that time until
within few days, when he and the
entire crew deserted the vessel under
very peculiar circumstances


"While on a recent voyage the Red
Rover sprung a leak-One which
threatened to take her to the bottom
of the Lake in a very short time. All
hands went to the pumps, and, by
working with all the speed at their
command, soon made headway on the
water, and found it was in their pow
er to save the craft. By eXeTting them
selves to the utmost for time when
their strength was exhausted they
could rest for ten minutes without en-
dangering the safety of their scOw.-
This system of long work and little
rest lasted until the craft reached
point in the Lake, off Monroe, when
the men, having become greatly fa--
tigued, and their strength almost eX-
hausted, went to their hunks to rest.


Scarcely had the bodies of the wea-
sy mariners touched the couch ere all
were wrapped in deep slumber. Ten
minutes passed and no one was at the
pumps. Twenty minutes-thirtym min
utes-an hour-passed and still the
pumps were idle and the men asleep /!
Two hours passed with that leaky YES
sci rocking upon the waves and the
crew slumbering, unconscious of the
danger surrounding theml At the
end of the third hour, some unseen
hand entangled itself in the uncomb-
ed hair of the Captain, and he was
dragged from his bunk. On looking
at his watch and discovering that he
had slept three hours, he wondered
that all were not at the bottom of the
Lake. Hastily he aroused his crew,
and then looked to see what progress
the water had made. To his utter
amaZement there was no water in the
boat On enquiry, he was unable to
find any one who had pulled him from
his bunk. For some time the myste-
ry could not be solved but finally the
Captain and men agreed that the
ghost of the lamented Captain Shaugh-
messy had worked the pumps while
the crew slept, and had pulled Cap
tain Connolly from his bunk when
they had slept enough. So thorough
ly were the men convinced of the cor
rectness of of this conclusion, that on
their arrival in this port a few days
since every man deserted the scOw and
could not be induced to ship upon her
again."
Year: 1869

l saw little spotted tortoise sun
ming himself in the shallow water. L
lifted the stick in my hand to strike
the harmless reptile; for though 1
had never killed any creature, yet 1
had seen other boys, out of sport, de-
stroy birds, squirrels, and the like,
and I felt disposition to follow their
wicked example. But all at once
something checked my little arm,
and voice within me said, clear and
loud, "It is wrong" I held my up
lifted stick in wonder at the new emo
tiOn-the consciousness of an invol-
untory but inward check upon my
actiOns,-till the tortoise and rhOdora
both vanished from my sight.


1 FASTENED home and told the tale
to my mother, and asked what it was
that told me it was wrong. She wiped
a tear from her eye with her apOrn,
and taking me in her arms, said,
Some men call it conscience, but I
prefer to call it the voice of God in
the soul of man. If you listen and
obey it, then it will speak clearer,
and always guide. you right; but if
you turn a deaf ear or disObey, then
it will leave you all in the dark with
out a guide. Your life depends on
needing this little voice. ."-TheOdore
Parker.
Year: 1869

The following amusing and sharp
incident isrelated bya Lansing Min
paper: sampson, the eolorUd boy
who played the big instrument in the
Reform School band last winter, was
recently discharged from that institu-
ton, but is again under arrest for one
of the sharpest and most amusing
transactions we have heard of for a
long time. He bought suit of cloth
es at Jackson, but not having a cent
with which to pay for them, he pro-
ceeded to series of maneuvres to raise
the. rinO. Finding a cow in a stable,
he brought a butcher to look at the
animal, who agreed to take her at a
price paying part down and
leaving the animal to the next day,
when she was to be delivered. Samp-
son took his money and applied it on
his suit, but as it did not pay for them
the merchant would not let them go.
He then got his friend, the butcher,
to become security for the balance,
and took his clothes and cleared out.
The Oddity of the situation is anus
ing. He did not steal the COW, nor
did he deliver her to the butcher. He
did not get the goods upon false pre-
lenses, for the butcher became vOlun-
tary security for the payment of the
suit, and he didn't do anything else.
Year: 1869

DOG SToRY.-The Peoria Ill.,


Transcript tells the following tough
one about a diminutive black and tan
dog He was in the eager pursuit of
a rat, burrowed some distance intothe
ground, and as he went filed up the
hole with the dirt he removed. He
was missed for eight days, when one
day his owner heard a suppressed
bark sOming seemingly from under
the ground, and. upon digging
brought the adventurous dog to the
surface. He was rather the worse for
to eat, but beyond that wasas
good as when he disappeared.
Year: 1869


oh, linger beautiful summer
With flowers and buds so rare,
For how can 1 part with a friend so deal
As you in your lovelineSs are.
Thy soft, sweet breeze comes ladened,
With the scent of new-mown hay,
And the click Of sythe and sickle
Is heard all the live-long day.
The harvesters hands are busy,
HOarding their grains away
And barns and bins are loaded
With stores for a rainy day.
Oh, ltnger beautiful summer
Haste not so swift away,
With thy wealth of unshed beauty,
Beaming in bright array.
For when you go and leave us,
You will take the flowers along,
And in your stead old winter,
Will usurp his place among
Will strip the trees of their beauty,
Their emerald leaves so bright,
And the loveliness summer brought us
VIII no more greet our sight.
Year: 1869

When John Randolph was in Lon
don he wrote to a gentleman who mar
ried his fayorite niece. In it was the
following ADVICE:


Have no dealings that can possibly
be ayoldedwith your neighbOrs. The
disregard of this caution will certain
" lead to squabbles and strife.


Take no receipt on loose pieces of
paper. Carry a receipt-bOok in your
pocket, and take all receipts in it; if
you are afraid of losing it, keep it in
your desk. Always have the receipts
witnessed when practicable,


Copy, or have copied, all bills in your
book, so that you must at a glance see
the cost of any article or branch of
expense. Without accurate accounts,
you may fast fall behind hand.


What voyage would a ship make
without Obser, lion of reckoning ,
You are now embarked ON a voyage
of life; without a good lookout you
may be cast away.


Form no intimacy with your neigh
bOrs under a seven years acquain-
tanee. The rigid observation of my
own maXims did not prevent i'll blood
between some of my neighbOrs and
myself. My maXims preserved me
from strife and from loss by those
With the rest was on the best of
terms.


EconOmy-the adapting of yoursup-
plies judiciously to the intended end
this is gift of God. 1t cannot be
taught, at least, L have tried to learn
it all my life, without success. My
mother had it to perfection.


Frugality.-It is in the power of
every honest man, who means to re-
tain his honesty, to refrain fIom in
dulging in expense which he cannot
afford. A disregard to this maxim,
the result of their ignorant Incidence
of their own affairs, has ruined all
my name and race. They did not
know what they could afford, l fear
did not care.
Year: 1869

NEW YORK BRs GONG HONE TO VoTE.-
About fifty employees in the Government
Printing Office, residents OF New iork, have
received permission to visit their homes to vote
al the approaching election in that State.
Year: 1869

INCREASE OF CONVERSATION FOR CLERKS
General Spinner, IN his forthcoming report
will strongly recommend an increase Of com
pensation for Department clerks, it is said He
also takes strong grounds IN IA vor Of the cIassi.
fication Of female clerks, large number OF
whom he has employed in his bureau. He
says that there is a certain class OF work in
his Office in which the women clerks far excel
the men, and fayors paying them as much as
the men,
Year: 1869

THB PACIFIC RAILROAD.-The commission
appointed by President Grant to examine and
report on the construction Of the Pacific rail.
road will submit their report to the Secretary
OF the Interior about Friday next. 1t is said
that the report will be quite favorable to the
road,
Year: 1869

Many the writer s lines and invalid physician while visiting the
Island Of St. cz for their health experienced and witnessed surprising and
beneficial effects the Rum there produced the nvads who ke
oulves seeking health inquiry and Investigation obtained full history
Of its medicinal virtues He delighted and surprised and after his
which determined possible procure the sole right manufacture
and sell it in the United States.


The result Of his rs glorious himself and suffering humanity


for the celebrated PLAN
gATlN BITTERs being article Of real founded and
relying wholly the vegetable world for its medicinal effects worked rapid revu-
ton in the history medicine and household word all the civilized
world The cabaEsG Tla6o anan health and the demand for
the PLANTATION BlTTERS exceeded the abilities supply


Notwithstanding the large importation Of st. cz expressly for the
pounding these BHers the quantity therefore
that arrangements extensive abroad should and
was dispatched to st. Thomas for that He fortunate securing and
leasing plantations productive
island Houses stills and erected utterly
i the natives The services
cured and the prapo the PLANTATION BTERS position
tosupp their laboratory with all the perfectly st. croz
turing vsoaAToR represents
the natives crushing the and for the stills


andote Intermittent Maious
other kindred diseases PLANTATION
history the world Over five million bottles disposed annually
adapted to old and male and female They agreeable always
ebeneHc
Year: 1869

A MAN being lately on tramp to Can
ada. says that at certain farmhouse in
the backwoods, where he had occasion to
stop, the following rich scene took place
The family were about to partake of their
breakfast, % and sat down for that purpose
The old man, being lover of fsquirrels, and
that being the principal dish of the morn
ing's repast, had his particular piece laid
on the side of the dish next to him The
Ole man commenced saying grace, as fol
lows: "Oh, Lord, we thank Thee for the
blessing Thou hast set before us; do Thou
guide and direct us through life"-here
raising his eyes, he perceived his son Gid
con laying his hands on his choice piece o
squirrel, and then, in hurried manner
ended the grace" deliver us from evil
for the Lords sake-amen. By golly
Gid, that's my piece! hand it here p
Year: 1869

al MEANT to have told you of that
hole" said gentleman to his friend who
was walking with him in his garden and
stumbled into a pit-full of water. "No
matter" said the friend, blowing the
mud and water out Of his mouth, " I've
found it."
Year: 1869

Established expressly to afford ihs afflicted
sound and scientific Medical Aid, in tho treatment
and cure of all Private and Chronic Diseases, Cases
Of Secrecy and all Sexual Disorders.
Year: 1869

BOSTON, Mays.


The old liquorH license expired on
Saturday, and the officers of the State
constabulary went around and informs
ed all liquor dealers that they must
close their places forthwith. None of
them complied with the order, howev-
er, and the bar-rooms are open to-day
as usual. Prosecution will probably
be commenced at an early day, and the
result will be that all the public drink
ing saloons will be closed and the club
rooms Oft few years since will be re-
vived.


Thomas Norton, who carried on a
small drinking place at the Highlands,
was SO excited when informed that he
must cease his business, that he went
crazy and hung himself.


The liquor dealers and hotel proprie-
tors to the number of 500 or 600 held a
meeting at the Parker House this after
noon, to consider what action to take
in reference to the threatened enforce
ment of the prohibitory law. The ques
tion was freely discussed, and very un-
complimentary illusions were made to
the Legislature: It was decided not to
resist the law as body but Individual
ly. 1t is likely that nearly every deal
er will evade the law or attempt to. A
resolution was passed favOring the
formation of a new political party at
once. Its chief purpose was to secure
more liberal legislation on the liquor
and other questions, and committee
was appointed to take preliminary steps
in the matter
Year: 1869

IT was rumored in New York Sun
day night, that important changes will
be made IN the Treasury Department,
both there and in Washington, and that
several prominent officials have been
discovered in frauds upon the Govern
na0t
Year: 1869

The PENETRALIA OF A GAMBLING HOUSE,
Some curious discoveries have been made by
the workmen engaged in pulling down the old
Roskendortf House in Washington The
building had once been used by the gambling
fraternity, and it would seem that they brought
the devils own ingenuity to work to trans
form it into a suitable den for their operations
of villainy. This machinery, as now laid bare,
shows that immense care and labor were be-
slowed upon its invention and prsparation--
The gambling rooms were in the second story
'front.' Over them were two garretrooms with
dormer windows. In the flooring of each of
these upper rooms trap door had been cut
about six feet in length and three in width
The trap being taken up shows an aperture be-
tween the floor and the ceiling to accommo-
date the gamblers confederate; and series
of small perforations in the ceiling afforded
him full view Of the cards held by the play
ers at the table in the room beneath At its
side was the end of q thin wire, which passing
along under the flooring of the attic TO the
walls, ran down to the flooring OF the rooms
below (playing upon nicely adjusted pulleys
at the angles), and SO on until it reached
point directly under the card table. Here
very ingenious pedal arrangement came into
play, by which with springs of spiral wire
triangular piece of iron was made to work up
through minute aperture in the floor under
the boot Of the swindling gambler. The vic
tim in this operation, it will be seen, had no
show whatever. In following the course Of the
wires it is noticed that packing Of soft wool
had been placed at every point where the
working of the apparatus would possibly
make noise calculated to warn the victim
The operator of the machinery was az silent as
death, and not an indication appeared any
where to give him suspicion Of the network of
villainy in which he was entrapped. The APP
ertures in the ceiling, which gave a view Of the
cards to the confederate overhead, were screen
ed from view by an ornamental oval OF green
figured papering, and the aperture in the floor
under the card table, through which the spring
played was concealed by the carpet
Year: 1869

Many persons complain that during
the summer season they have not time
for reading book. and newspapers. Ev-
cry man and woman should, and can,
find time to read two or three good
weekly newspapers ut all seasons of the
year, and be all the more prosperous, as
well as wiser, for it. But now that the
long winter evenings are here, it is nee
essary and proper to look about US for
the most profitable, As well as the most
agreeable and rational manner of spend
ing them.


You sit com ortably beside your blaz-
ing, winter fire; but the world is wide,
and the Nations are busy. Have you a
desire to keep pace with the advancing
columns in the march of humanity or
would you be a stragglcr, taking no
part, or lot, orinterest, in passing
| events? If you prefer the latter then
you prefer to be mere cipher traced in
the sand to be washed away by the men
tai tides which are rising all around
you! How can you afford to be with
outa knowledge Of what the world is
doing? Cadmus, Faust, Gutenberg,
Franklin and others, have bequeathed
the wonderful products Of their genius
to mankind. viii you refuse to enjoy
your part of the legacy? Will you al
low the mental anxiety and final glori-
Gus results of the labors of Morse and
Field to be all in vain so far as you are
concerned? Yonder, in an obscure cor
ner, sits the operator with the wonder
full piece of mechanism before him.
Those clicking sounds are the echoing
steps of the moving world Is it moth
ing to you that the palSaced operator is
able to translate from those strange
characters the message which the
lightning has brought in its rapid flight
around the world? While these long
winter evenings are passing, up in
yonder lighted room stands one, busily
engaged in arranging those little leaden
embIems. In their disordered condition
those types will tell tale of sorrow or
Of joy! They will tell, too, the story Of
the worlds busy doings of to-day! Who
will refuse to hear it? Only the man
who by some chance came into the
world hundred years too late!


1t is the duty of every head Of a fam
lily to provide mental aliment for his
household, only taking care that it is of
the wholesome kind. Reading Is a
source of pleasure, which once tasted,
no one is willing to forego. Books carry
4 US back through the centuries that are
buried, or unfold to US the beauties and
wonders of science; but the we'll con-
Quoted periodical or newspaper, in addi-
ton to oil this, spreads out before us a
map of the living Present. 1t is now
almost an indispensable guide in the
journey of every day life. 1t requires
Year: 1869

What stupid ninnies some persons
will persist in making themselves by
continuing to wear boots and shoes that
give them pain every moment, and
which hinder their easy and graceful
movements. 1t is, indeed, true, rs the
silly fashion must be creating rich
harvest for the corn doctors, and it is
sure to result in a greater or less degree
of personal detormity. Especially may
the latter consequences be expected in
the case of young children. When the
heel is raised, as is the prevalent Gus
tom, the bones of the thigh, pelvis and
leg. as well as the foot are thrown into
abnormal positions; and while the bones
maintain their Elasticity, the effect of
such unnatural tension is sure to be per
petuated, in shape Of crooked shius,
handy legs, elephantine toe.joints, and
cralhped ungraceful gait. Let us hope
that before the evils shall be greatly
multiplied tickle fashion may remove
the cause, and give us something more
sensible and endurable than these toe
screws which are giving US the hobbling
gait of Chinese women, and which pos
sess neither beauty nor comfort. Let
boots and shoes be made to fit the feet;
and do not attempt to require the feet to
adjust themselves to the unnatural form
of many fashionable boots and shoes
Church Union.
Year: 1869

arm, the sitter it becomes until you can
cut it with knife. 1t is eaten with
horn or wooden spoons, all the family
sitting round the tub. It Is undoubted-
ly an acquired taste, but the commodity
is much sought for. The froth is of a
beautiful pink color. Green berries
Will make nearly the same amount of
froth; but is Is of white color and is
not SO highly favored. Foreigners stir
1t with port or sherry wines, and add
sugar, in which case it Is delicious lux
luy,
Year: 1869




! Yet whoever may find much to blame
in the body of the building, the archi
tects have their full need Of praise in
the loveliness and grandeur of the dome
1t Is something unsurpassed it springs
into the sky as lightly as a bubble--as
resplendently; 1t rests there as easily as
cloud; 1t seems, rs it should, to be
only part Of its airy surroundings
Art could do no more in its construction,
That It's effect Is sadly impaired by the
bronze Colossus, which, instead Of
merely accentuating it as a final would
DO. crowds it down to earth, Is no fault
of the dome pure and simple. +"
1t Is due to that avarice which first
planted the city in a swamp that the
Capitol does not rear its white inagnifi-
cence on some hill browning 4 campagna
vast as Ronne's anA.0sAv Ahnsehsev9etsa
on comparatively low ground, 70 where
you will, for miles on miles, that dome
haunts and follows you now as you see
It from the heights Of Arlington-whiIe
you stand in the midst of the acres of
graves there and picture the terrible
moment when some trumpet shall call
all this army of ghosts from their
Misunderstanding like guardian genius
still overlooking these white head stones
that stretch away across the rolling
land on every side, like the crests of
mighty and. melancholy waves now as
you cease treading down the purple
hyacinths in the grass, aud wandering
under the magnolia trees, and between
the breast high hedges of fragrant box
at Mount Vernon, and, turning the bend
of the river almost twenty miles away,
meet its great shadow resting like q film
upon the air, opening slowly Oh the
gaze like vision, with:its phantom like
length OF lustrous column and setting Of
wind tossed greenery. When you be-
hold it thus remote it seems like a dream
of the past too beautiful thing for the
common use of daily life; only men in
sweeping Grecian raiment and phyIac-
tered purple should move slow and
meditative through its halls - never
these hurrying black beetles, these rough
garments and rude gestures of the mod
ern generations. 1t is possibly for some
such reason that in the beginning the
Capitol turned its back upon the town,
rather than because the family that
owned the land in front set too high
price upon their property and drove
purchasers to lots in the back ground,
which, after all is perhaps as we'll, as
otherwise we might not have the long
vista of the Avenue closed at the end
by these walls rising on their grassy
terraces, lifting their shining colonades
over their tree-tops, and sending the
dome soaring upward into heaven
HARRIET l.. SroFFORD, in Uu,pc,'s
4Ndgaeine.