smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

A practical farmer in a communication TO
the GermaRto,rn( P a. } Telegraph, advances Pc
cuiiar theory in regard to the period Tor cut
ting timber intended for fences, especially
for posts. The prevalent opinion in regard to
the best time is when the timber is most free
from sap, and the very worst time is when 1t
contains the most sap. This practical farmer
referred to entertains the very opposite opinion.
On one occasion he cut down some excellent
white oak in the month of February and set
it out in fence posts, and after this he cut
down the same kind of timber in the month
of May (when it contained most free sap) and
set it out into posts also. The former posts
lasted only sir gears; the latter endured twen-
ty-tyso years.


This correspondent also advocates the cut-
ting of timber for rails about the month of
May when it contains most sap. He says If
timber is cut for rails when the sap is running,
the bark then stripped off and the rails made
Immediately, they will last one fourth longer
than if cut at any other time and have the
bark left on. The inside bark of the wood
is the first to decay and rot; being of porous
nature it contains air and water which carry
the process of decay into the wood. When
the bark is peeled off, the sap soon dries and
prevents decay All experience goes to
prove that the bark should always be peeled
from chestnut or other rails in order to render
them more durable; this is well known to
every farmer, but 1t viii hardly be conceded
that the best time for cutting rail timber is
when it contains most free sap. This IS a
| practical question however which can only be
! decided by experiments, and it is one of nc


small Importance, as a vast outlay is caused
annually for repair of decayed fences.
Year: 1859

A curious phenomenon was observed during
the recent volcanic eruption at the Sandwich
Islands. A correspondent of California pa
per says: ssOnce while standing upon rock
with several others, perhaps two hundred feet
from the stream, a loud, ringing noise was
heard, as il tie rock had been struck by an
immense sledge- hammer. We started, not
knowing but Pelo was under and after us, but
soon found our alarm sroundless, though the
noise was probably caused by the liquid lava
running under the ground, and singularly fil-
ling UP a cave beneath rs. A little after a sim
gular scene presented itself-the appearance
of man sitting upon a rock and riding along
on the top of the fiery lava stream. So de-
ceptive was this illus ion that several of the
party, when it was first observed, looked a.
round to see if one of their number had not
by accident got on the stream. The life-likc
image moved slowly along, till suddenly his
head tumbled off, and the whole image soon
Disappeared
Year: 1859

The Washington Union thinks that the de-
cay of the Democratic party is owing TO lts
excess of great men. A more general I'M
preston is that it is owing to its lack OF them.
The excess of great men may be cause OF tne
decay of parties: but. if it is, we think there
never has been time in the history OF the
Democratic party when it had so little to fear
from this quarter.
Year: 1859

, had been in the sunshine of prosperity;


for they only played over the delusive
surface of their lives. But now the sun


OF love breaking suddenly through the


rent clouds, made their hearts warm and
fruitfnl-
Year: 1859

PULPIT NoTIcEs.-No,hing in the way
of a practical joke has amused US so
much for long time, as dog notice that
was given at the Orthodox church in
Lancaster last Sunday 1t may do well
as burlesque on advertising all things
from the pulpit. A notice was sent to
the sexton--doubiless with the intention
of having it posted on the meeting house
which by some mistake he was led 10
pass over to the minister. The oliicia-
ting clergyman was stranger, and when
he came TO read his notice he hesitated
somewhat, but, after preface TO the
effect that being stranger he did not
feel at liberty to decline reading what
was given him, let on as follows: 'All
owners of dogs are hereby notified that if
the same are not registered by the Isl
of May, they will be killed, according 10
law The effect on the congregation
can be imagined Clinton Courant.
Year: 1859

The injurious effects of mental labor
are, in great measure, owing TO exten


sive forcing in early youth (; TO sudden
or misdirected study ; to the CO operation
of depressing emotions or passions; 10
the neglect of the hints of the body or
TO the presence of the seeds of disease,
degeneration, and decay in the system.
The man of healthy phlegmatic or cho-
leric temperament is less likely to be in
jured by application than one of San
guine or melancholic type; yet these
latter. with allowance for the original
constitution, may be capable of vast eff
forts. Fellow laborer! one word TO you.
Fear not to DO manfully the work for
which your gifts qualify you, but do it
as one who must give an account Of both
soul and body. Work. and work hard
while it is day; the night cometh soon
enough.-do not hasten it. Use your
facullies-use them 10 the utmost, but
do not abuse them; make not the mortal
to do tbe work of the immortal. The
body has its claims-it is good servant;
treat it well, and it will do your work /;
it knows It's own business; do not attempt
to teach or fcrce it; attend TO its wants
and requirements. listen kindly and pa
tiently TO all is hints, occasionally fore.
stall its necessities by little indulgence,
and your consideration will be paid with
interest. But task it, and sullocate it
make a slave instead of a servant; i.
may not complain much, but. like the
weary camel in the desert, it will lie
down and die.-Journa! Of Physiology.
Year: 1859

TRAVELLING In CIROLE--HABITs OF BRwI-
DRRRD PEoPLE.-A correspondent writes to the
Scientific American:


SIN q late number of your paper you state, In
answer to some correspondent, that You have no
confidence in the report that when man is lost
he will travel in CIRCLE In this You are GER
tainly mistaken it is fact we'll known to from
tiersmen that, when persons are bewildered,
they frequently travel in perfect circle, some
times keeping the same track until they make
dozen equal rounds at other times making the
circle larger or smaller each time. 1t is not by
any means always the case when person is lost
but it is so frequent that ir is within the expe-
rience of every one who has been in the woods.
In calm and cloudy weather, and in country
of much ssmeness of appearance, the best woods
men get so bewidered as to stake the circlss.'-
Persons not accustomed to the woods will some.
times do so when the sun is shining and steady
breeze blowing On the level of gulf prairies of
this country, on calm, foggy morning, no man
can travel without road. 1t is an incident of
every day occurrence In the Spring and Fall Sea-
SONS that men are thus becalmed on the prairie
as effectually as are ships at sea nor will COM
pass mend the matter, for it cannot be carried
steadily enough to keep Its meridian, and the right
course for fifty yards if q man attempts 1t ne
will make a circle and come back to the place
he started from. The circle will be large or
small generally in proportion to the density of
the fog-sometimes only hundred yards in di-
ameter; at other times mile, but seldom more.
The circles thus made are perfect This kind of
wandering seems to arise from an attempt 10 60
straight course when there is nothing to guide
the senses, or when the usual guides OF sun wind
or the general contour of the country are disre-
earded. It rarely befalls children, who do not
attempt to go on course, but only run from
one visible point to another equally percepti-
hlaD ff..
Year: 1859




Beyond the dhoby, in clear water by compari-
son, bevy Of elephants are enjoying their morn
ing bath. And they do enjoy it indeed See
how they roll away like so many porpoises, right
under the food, and leave the mahouts shouting
and cropping with their feet, for the unstable
black island which after time rise up above the
surface. Look at the great jets they blow up O.
yer their backs, and listen to the deep breath of
pleasure or the shrill flourish of delight with
which they lie down on the sand, while their at
tendants knead them all over. These great
creatures are so sagacious, SO sensitive to kind
ness, that even in their wild state cannot feel
any sympathy for those who delight in killing
them and call it ''sport" But these elephants,
fond as am of them, are, it must be admitted,
dangerous playmates. In our camp there were
no less than nine 'koonies," or "murderers''-
beasts which have killed their mshouts, or other
attendants. One huge criminal, with speckled
forehead and proboscis, is guilty of the murder
of no less than three unfortunate natives. The
magnificent mild monster, which belonged to
Sir Hugh Wheeler, was carried off by the Mana,
and was delivered up to US by the Rsjah OF Fur
ruckabad, died few days ago, Immediately af-
ter carrying some officers to church. He was q
fine courageous creature and his trunk and fore
head bore marks of the claws Of more than one
tiger which had charged him and then been
trampled to pulp by his ponderous feet His
weakness" }" was fine French rolls, which he
swallowed as an alderman would take Cookies
pills; and the twinkle of his eye, as he gulped
the loaf down and gave gentle sigh out of his
probocis, proclaimed the Sybarite. I used to
take great deectation in observing the creatures
at the bath in the river which flows by our
camp. They came down in files, trumpeting
gaily in anticipation of the treat, and aoundering
in the waters of the Goomtee, like so many port
ly Bruxelers enjoying the pea-soup of Ostend.-
Each takes long, deep drink, putting his pro.
boscis into the water, and then discharging the
contents of it, when filled by suction, into his
cavernous NAV. Having thus filled up wrinkle
or two in his side he deposits himself bodily in
the stream, 80 that one side lies out of water
and the tip of his proboscis is kept above the
surface for the air. On this exposed island the
mahouts labor diligently, washing the beast and
rubbing him with hard brushes, cleaning his ears,
kneading and shampooning him, while the
pachgdern emits little squeaks of satisfaction
When one side is done, the elephant turns on
the other, and he is very angry indeed ifhe does
not get his full share of manipulation William
Russell.
Year: 1859

But two days more remain in which to work
for the election of GOGGIN, WILEY AND
PRESTON. Are all the active men in harness
If SO, we may hope that the day of election will
tell glorious tale for Old Augusta at least
What say you, fellow-laborers in the great cause
of redeeming Virginia from the thraldom of De-
mocracyf Shall we not give the rousing msjori-
ty of twelve or fifteen hundred' We oan do it
if the active men at all the precincts see to it
that not one voter Of the right stripe is absent
from the polls. Once more to the breach, then,
with the noble determination that if VIM. L.
GoaGIN is defeated it shall not be the fault OF
the Wings and Americans of Augusta.
Year: 1859

| As this road will soon become famous as the
route of the French army into Italy, the follow
| ing description given by correspondent of the
New York Times, who recently passed over it,
will be read with interest.


The road over Mount GEMS is macadamized
throughout its whole extent, and is wide and in
perfect order, consisting of easy grades. On
the top of the mountain there was much snow,
but most of it was removed from the road-a
work of great labor as the cuts in some places
were ten feet deep, and the snow so compact
that its sides were perpendicular. The diligence
was several hours in passing through this region
of snow, and it was showing at the time, and
extremely cold. On Monday and Tuesday OF
this week it rained hard on the west side of the
mountain, and it was feared that the passage OF
troops was impeded by fresh SHOWS. The jour.
ney over the pass is no pleasant affair, even to
one who occupied the protected seats of COM
Portable diligence-such was my fortunate posi-
tion-what must it be to soldiers on foot, wet
with severe rains, and incumbered with KNAPP
sacks and arms.


The pass is 6,s25 feet high-nearly 800 feet
higher than the famous Simplon pass. That OF
the great st. Bernard, over which Napoleon con-
Quoted his army before any road had been form
ed, is 5000 feet. The easy grades of the Mount
Gents road, and the protection furnished by
granite posts on its exterior, within seven or
eight feet of each other-frmly planted in the
earth, and about four feet high-indicates tEat
principle object in thus forming it, was the
easy and safe hauling of cannon and baggage o.
YER the line. l walked for miles over the road,
in the ascent from the Sandman side, and care
| fully observed its construction. The engineering
difficulties were immense, but they have been O.
vercome with such skill, that the ascent is uni
form and easy in every part. Occasionally o
level place is left to afford relief to horses from
the wearisomeness of steady pull. I noticed
that the marks of the drill used in blasting were
nearly obliterated, the effect of long continued
exposure to severe storms, and the character OF
the rock, which is a soft limestone. 1t may be,
if the history of the road shall ever be lost that
| future antiquarians may contend from the obit-
Grafton of all signs of blasting, that at least no
great difficulties were encountered in its con-
struction. even if they do not insist that it was
formed on natural bed. One is struck with
wonder that such great work, over high noun
tains, should have been formed and finished on
line exceeding fifty miles, so completely that
it exceeds in excellence any road know of in
the United States, whether public or private,
and long or short. 1t is kept in high order, and
| ia descended on brisk trot, with entire safety.


1t seemed most appropriate, as this great road
was the work of the elder Napolenon, that the
representative of his name should distinguish
himself by using it for the march OF great ar
my aimed OF the same power which Napoleon
successfully encountered soon after crossing the
Swiss Alps.
Year: 1859

Let every man in the county Of Augusta who
has the best interests of bis country at heart be
at the polls on THURSDAY to cast bis vote for
the gallant champion Of our glorious cause, and
his worthy associates on the ticket. Surely the
zeal and energy which our indomitable leader
has displayed from first, to last, should inspire
every one of his friends to do something in be-
half of the cause in which he has been SO ear


nestly engaged.
Year: 1859


r HAVE rented and fixed up the room next door to
Il the Adams Express Office under The Virginia Ho-
tel for the purpose Of exhibiting these machnes and


would now most respectfully invite the attention OF
the public to them Think it entirely useless to pass
any unnecessary encomlums upon them as it is to be
supposed that all who in want, will call and see
them before purchasing, but intend briefly to emu.
its merits and let eirperformance speak for
themselves


lst. This is the simplest and most durable double


threaded machine now in use. There is part of it
at ali likely to get out of order and should it by pos
sibhty happen to do so, any lock-smith can repsir
it. t.


I'd. The seam sewed is strong, neat and durable,
cannot be ripped .hough every sixth stitch be cut


Sd Any kind of thread may be used in sewing with
it. and 4th-the comparative cheapness of the ma
chine places it within the reach of every family
They are furnished, put up at your houses for the
small sum of S}ty dollars. l will be most happy to
exhibit the machines to any one, though they may
not want to purchase, every who sees it work
will bear testimony to its merits. Call then and
anime it. j. M. CRANK, Ag't.
Staunton, March 22, 1s59-3mos. q
Year: 1859

Persons who are not otherwise supplied with
tickets may clip the above from the paper and
use it. Those who cast their votes at the town
precincts will find an abundant supply at this Of
flee on the dsy of election.
Year: 1859

When John wants hot bath, and hasn't the
money to pay for it, he has only to tell his girl
that he has about made up his mind to select
another sweetheart-he is in hot water directly.
Year: 1859

A MIRACLE PERHAps.-The Bangor
{ Me. papers relate the story of deal
mute, who has made that city his place
OF residence, but who recently made a
visit to 10 the Aroostook country-the
land of big crops and multiplied babies
where he fell in love with buxom ma
tive, and was refused the consent of her
paternal parent to marry his darter.'
Determined to consummate the deed, he
persuaded the girl to elope, and off they
started in one horse sleigh for parson


In Aroostook, ministers are rare aud the
miles long. consequently the enraged
"parient" pursued and overlook the fu
gitives before they were made one flesh


Then was shown the miraculous power
Of love-the deaf heard aud the dumb
spake, declaring in the most emphatic
language that he would have the girl


father or no father" Wonder. stricken
at the supposed miraculous recovery O


hearing and speech by the young man


the stern father yielded up his daughter


and the banns were no longer forbidden
Year: 1859

When Mr.. Seward took occasion in bis
Rochester speech, just before the New
York Election, to represent distinctly
the great conflict between Slavery and
Freedom, politicians in that Stale and in
this district, who had been plotting the
reconstruction of parties, Oh the assump-
tion that no such conflict exists, were
greatly scandalized, denounced the in
considerate radicalism of the distinguish
ed Senator, and predicted nothing but
disaster as the result.


Now, nothing is more certain than that
the Administration owes its defeat in
New York, and the Republican Party
there its integrity and success, first to
the failure of the miserable attempt at
coalition and secondly. 10 that Roches-
ter Speech, which concentrated the Anti
Slavery sentiment in support of the Re-
publican ticket, defined beyond all doubt
the true issue Of the canvass. and render
ed it impossible to construe the result
otherwise than as an evidence of the pre-
ponderance Of the AntiSlavery Element


AT no time since the organization OF
the Republican party has it been free
from purblind ccunselors and halting
conservatives. Every year we have been
accustomed to hear them croaking about
the danger Of being radical. inconsider-
ate. hot-headed. Be quiet is the burden
of their advice. let us show the country
that we are not the agilators-what is
the use Of this "eternal talk about the
niggers can meet the issues as they
arise. They seem to be under the illu
sion that they are still respectable mem
bers of the old Whig Party. which,
merely to suit circumstances, has adopt
ed the title, " Republican" and they are
amazed that the wise counsels of Web
ster and Clay are set at naught. Let a
determined Republican in Congress pro-
claim the real doctrine of the party and
they grow nervous; they are sure we
mill spoil everything-'' how can we
unite the elements OF the opposition. if
such zealots will be forever agitating
The very best way. they think, for the
Republican Party to succeed, is never to
make a single effort to do what it was ex-
pressly organized to do.


That Mr.. Washburn of Maine should
have incurred the displeasure of these
gentlemen is just what might have been
expected; but We cannot understand
why any real Republican should think a
frank utterance of Anti Slavery opinions,
at such a crisis, unreasonable. The
speech Of tina. gentleman, notwithstand-
inO the patriotic outhraat of Mr Tko,a,
son Of New York. about "a union of the
true men Of the country, North, South,
East, West'-a phraseology intended to
imply that the Republican Party. with
its definite aims and purposes, should
give way to a mongrel Opposition with
no principle, and no aim but that of pow
er-were not only we'll considered. but
well timed. Recollect what use has been
made of the vote of the Republicans in
favor OF the Crittenden- Montgomery
amendment Every intelligent person
Year: 1859

To CLEAN PAINT THAT Is NOT VAR
NIsHED.-Take a flannel and squeezs
nearly dry out of warm water, and dip
in little whiting, apply to the paint and
with little rubbing it will instantly re-
remove grease, smoke, or other SOIL
Wash with warm water and rub dry with
soft cloth. 1t will not injure the most
delicate color, and makes it look as we'll
as new besides, it preserves the paint
much longer than if cleaned with soap.
and water.
Year: 1859

A traveller through dusty road


Strewed acorns on the lea;
And one took root and sprouted up,


And grew into a tree.
Love sought its shade at evening time,
To breathe its early VOWS;
And Age was pleased, in heats of nocn,
To bask beneath its boughs.
The dormouse loved its dangling twigs,
The birds sweet music bore,
1t shed glory in its place,


A blessing evermore.
A little spring had lost its way


Amid the grass and fern
A passing stranger scooped we'll


Where weary men might turn.
He walled it in. and hung with care
A ladlc ut the brink
He thought not Of the deed he did,


But judged that toll might drink,
He passed again, and 10 the well,


BY summers never dried,
Had cooled ten thousand parching tongues
And saved life besides.
A dreamer dropped random thought;
Twas old, and yet twas new
A simple fancy of the brain,


But strong In beng true
1t shone upon a genial mind.


And 10 its light became
A lamp Of life-a beacon ray


A monitory flame;
The thought was small, its issue great
A watch-fire on hill,
1t sheds its radiance far adown,


And cheers the valley still.
A nameless man, amid the crowd


That throngcd the daily mart,
Let fall n word of hope and love,


Unstudied from the heart
A whisper on the tumult THROWN,


A transitory breath,
1t raised a brother from the dust,


II saved soul from death
o germ fount 0 word of love
. Othought at random east
Ye were but little at the first,


But mighty at the last
Year: 1859

To TAKE GREASE ovr OF CLoru.-
Make mixture composed Of an ounce of
liquid ammonia. and four ounces of al.
cohol. to which must be added an equal
quantity Of water. There is no better
preparation than this.
Year: 1859




I never shall forget that evening. I
had come down to Courtney Chase a
young and happy subaltern in her maj
osty's service--light-hearted, merry, full
of fun and frolic, without a care or
thought Of tho morrow. ] gradually
found myself becoming anxious, thought
ful--my brow was obscured by care, my
heart beat with painful rapidity. I was
in love. The boy had become q man in
one evening. And yet I was happy
There was a delicious intoxicatiou In
the sound Of her voice, I'm her soft,
white hand as it lay in mine There
was rapture in the waltz when her
beaming eyes met mine, and our very
hearts seemed to beat in unison.


IL is an hour Of bliss when the senses
are stepped to voluptuous languor, when
nature seems decked in wondrous love-
illness, when all that is in the world
smiles upon us, when emotions new and
dcicious come gushing to our hearts,
/ cannot find words to describe. IL is
as the opening of the portals of a new
oxistenco-it is loves young dream.


I handed her down to supper, amid
the groans of one or two Of the men,
and not without some spiteful looks
from the dear young creatures 1 had
totally neglected. But what cared 1,
Year: 1859

One of the most stupendous CONNER
oial enterprises of the present day is a
a proposal to unite the Bay Of Bengal
and Gulf of Siam by a ship canal
across the Malayan Peninsula, which
would shorten the voyage from Canton
to Calcutta over eleven hundred miles