smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1860

NEGLECTED SUBJECTS. THE Morning
Call, of Dec. 14th, under the above head,
speads some exceedingly sensible remarks
before its readers. We borrow them for
ours:


1t must be evident to all that, as a COM
munity, we have been extremely negligent
in one particular, at least, and that is in the
matter of internal Improvements. We VEN
ture to say that there is not another country
in the world where so little has been done
by the inhabitants toward developing the
resources of the State and furnishing accom-
modations to its population for travel and
other purposes. While California has be-
come wealthy, both in commercial treasure
and in population, and while it has contrib
uted millions and millions to the wealth of
other countries, while it has materially aid
ed in constructing canals, railroads, ETC., in
other States, it has done nothing to advance
its own interests in these respects. That
we have, as yet, no system of internal i'm
provements is surprising, especially as q
comparison with works of like character
in other States furnishes almost conclusive
evidence that investments in similar enter
prises here would yield a handsome per
centage. Why is it that men of capital do
not take more interest in the construction
of railroads and other works calculated to
add to the wealth of the State, we cannot
conceive. The only work of the kind we
can boast of-the Sacramento Valley Rail-
road and the Mission Railroad-have prov
eE to be the most profitable investments of
the kind known-the poorest paying at
least thirty per cent. on the original cost.
When we reflect that these roads were con-
structed under the highest rates of wages,
and that neither Of them are the most fav-
orably located, we are surprised that men
of means have not before this availed them
selves of the favorable opportunities always
offering, even in this country where money
commands from one to four per cent. per
month. Especially is it surprising that
those owning an interest in the soil Of the
State have not given more attention to this
subject of internal Improvements, and have
not given more encouragement to railroads
and other works. Such enterprises are CAL
culated to enhance the value of land already
occupied, to increase the population, to add
more land to that already under cultivation,
to develope many sources of prosperity now
lying idle, to add TO the wealth of the State
generally, and thereby contribute to the
comfort and happiness of the population.
This matter of home improvement has heen
neglected long enough and it Is high time
that those having vested interests in the
country should awake to the Importance OF
the subject. Rich and poor, merchant and
mechanic, laborer and lawyer, all would be
immeasurably benefited by the Inaugural
| ton of wise system of public improve
ments calculated to increase the facilities
! for communication between interior loeali-


ties and this, the principal seaport of the
| State.
Year: 1860

FALSE IMPREssIoN.-The Cotton States la
Dor under the impression that the world
must purchase their cotton or go naked
From lecture recently delivered in New
York by the Reverend J. c. Fletcher, we learn
that the valley of the Amazon is the largest
and best cotton growing country on the
globe. The valley of the Amazon exceeds
in size that Of the entire region watered by
the Mississippi and its tributaries by some
six hundred thousand square miles. 1t lies
under the equator and a very large propor-
ton of 1t is cotton land. While cotton
growing in the United States is confined to
u small strip comparatively, embracing the
southern tier of States in the Union, and
not containing in the aggregate more than
three hundred and fifty thousand square
miles, on very small part Of which cotton
can be grown with success, the cotton lands
of Brazil are found in large bodies in vast
country embracing more than three mill


ions four hundred thousand square miles


Dissolve the Union and there is no incentive
for the Northern manufacturer to purchase
his cotton of the Southern States. 1t can
be grown cheaper in Hazil and in quanti-
ties to glut the market Of the manufactur-
ing world. The Brazillians want our steam
engines, machinery, and fabrics, and when
once the articles are introduced they will
become a necessity, and the demand will
increase. That vast country watered by
the Amazon, in the event of dissolution
of the Union, is bound to furnish gigantic
market for Yankee and English manufact-
ures, and to that portion of the world will
the enterprize of the commercial world be
turned before many years clapse. The field
is too grand not to be soon explored.
Year: 1860

MISSOURI COMPROMISE LINE TO BE REVIVED.
1t is reported that Seward favors the res
toration Of the Missouri Compromise Line
to the Pacific. 1t is humbug. Seward
has declared against any more comprom-
ises, and he is about right. No agreement
can be made touching the slavery question
which will not be broken. There is no as
surance that a second Missouri Compromise
will not be broken as ruthlessly as the first
Besides the old one has been declared un-
constitutional by the Supreme Court. Is
any body foolish enough to favor another
which shall be null and void as soon as
made
Year: 1860

WHAT WILL LINCOLN DO THE following
is an extract from speech made at Lea
venworth, Kansas, by Mr.. Lincoln while
the contest for the Speakership in the
House was going on, and before he was
regarded by any one as a Presidential can
didate. 1t may enlighten some who are ex-
ercised about the course he intends to pur-
sue when he comes to power


You Democrats greatly fear that the
success of the Republicans will destroy the
Union. Why? Do the Republicans de-
clare against the Union? Nothing like It,
Your own statement of it is, that if the
Black Republicans elect President you
wont stand it You will break up the
Union. That will be your act, not ours.
To justify it, you must show that our poll
CT gives you just cause for such desperate
action. Can you deny that? When you
attempt it you will find that our policy is
exactly the policy of the men who made
the Union, nothing more or nothing less.
Do you think you are justified to break up
the government rather than have it admin
istered by Washington, and other good and
great men who made it? If you do, you
are very unreasonable, and more reasona.
BILE men cannot and will not submit to you.
While we elect President, it will be our
duty to see that you submit. Old John
Brown has been hung for treason against
State. We cannot object though slavery
is wrong. That cannot excuse violence,
bloodshed and treason. 1t could avail him
nothing that he might think himself right.
So, if constitationally we elect President,
and therefore you undertake to destroy the
Union, it will be our duty to deal with you
as Old John Brown was dealt with. We
can only do our duty. We hope and be-
lieve that in no section will a majority so
act as to render extreme measures neces-
sary."
Year: 1860

THE FRENCH, in their peculiar way, are st rip
ping war Of Its horrors. II Is stated that the
French army now use the latest scientific method
to kill horses unfit for further service. Air Is In
jected into an opened vein which produces in
stsntaneous and painless death. They still kill
men with bayonet and bullet.
Year: 1860

This was given to the First Embassa-
dor, at public reception in Washington,
by lady of that city. 1t was promptly
sent back to hers by mail, as all similar
presents have been. Such mistaken meth
ods lnlnre rather than encourage the cause
they are intended to support.
Year: 1860

A child was playing with some building
blocks, and as the mimic castle rose before
his eyes 10 graceful proportions, new
pleasure swelIed in his heart. He felt him
to be the creator of "thing of beauty" and
was conscious Of new born power. Arch,
wall, buttress, gateway, drawbridge, lofty
tower and battlement, were all the work of
his hands. He was in wonder at his skill
in thus creating, from an unseemly pile, q
structure Of such rare design. ~. ....


Silently be stood and guzed upon bis cas-.
tie with something Of the pride Of an archi,
tsct who sees, after months und years Of
skillfully applied labor, some grand conceP'
ton in bis art embodied in the imperishable
stone. Then he moved around, viewing il
on every side. II did not seem to him q toy
reaching only few inches in height, and
covering but a square foot Of ground, but
real castle, towering hundreds Of feetu tupwnrc
to the blue sky, and spreading wide upon the
earth its ample foundations. AS the ide,
grew more and more perfect, his strange
pleasure increased. Now he stood will
folded arms, wrapped in the oyermosterins
illusion--now walked slowly around, view
ing the STRUCTURE on all sides, and noting
every minute particular. and now sat down
and bent oyer it with the iondness of mo
ther bending over her child. Again h
arose, purposing 10 obtain another and NOR
distinctive view Of his work. But his foo
struck against one Of the buttresses an
instantly with crash, wall, tower and bat
element fell in hopeless ruin.


In the room, with the boy, sat his father
reading. The crash disturbed him and h


uttered sharp, angry rebuke glanciDg 70
moment towards the startled child, an


then returning his eyes to the attractive pa
ges before him, unconscious Of the shade,


he had cast upon the heart of his child.-


Tears came into those fair blue orbs, dane
ing in light o moment before. From tn
frowning face of bis father, to which hi


glance was suddenly turned, the child look


ed back to the shapeless ruins of bis castle


is it any wonder that he bowed his face i


silence upon them and wet them with hi


tears


For more than five minutes he sat still, o
if sleeping then in mournful kind Of
way, yet almost noiseless, he commence
restoring to the btx, from which he had t,
ken them, the many shaped pieces that, fitI
joined together, had grown into nobl
building. After The boy was filled he RI
placed the cover, and id it carefully upo


shelf in the closet.


Poor child That shadow was dee


one, and long in passing away. His mott


er found him hall an hour afterwards, oslee
on the floor with cheeks flushed to an vi
usual brightness. She knew nothing of tn
troubled passage in his young life aud Il
father bad forgotten, in the attraction Of Il
book he had reud, the momentary annoyant
expressed in the words and tone, with pov
er in them to shadow the heart of his chill
Year: 1860

TIE S,fssfs-The present "spat" of tolerably
warm weather has caused q rapid disappear
anc. of the snow and ice, the only evidences Of
winter weather we have yet been favored with.
The onsequence is that the mud III the streets
and other public places has inflated the exam
pie of the broken merchant, and gone into
iuuidation. The result is that walking 10
any thing but an agreeable operation, however
healthy At may be.
Year: 1860

A LIFE PIcTURE.-She was beauti-
ful ! The lamp light threw its bril-
liant glare upon her Venus-like form
and face, as she trod the hall of rev.
elry. That night she was led, beau.
teous bride, to the hymeneal altar.
He to whom she had given her hand
and heart was tall, noble looking
young man Of twenty-one summers.
The impress of genius was indelibly
stamped upon his noble brow, and
as he stood up by her side in
that pallatial mansion, and plighted
eternal fidelity to her whom he held
by his hand, silent ejaculation went
up to Heaven from every heart, that
their lives might be as one bright
summer day. This closes the first
part of the scene-let the curtain fall
or the space of three years.


Hark what sound is that hear Z
IT'S the low murmuring Of the night
wind signing among the tree tops /;
no tits a sadder wall than winds or
waves have ever made IT'S the voice
of woman in despair. | stood in
front of the proud mansion she used
to love to call her hOme. The pale
moonbeams were sleeping around me
in death.like stiffness? ? Again sad
wall rent the air and made it hideous
with its mournful cadences, and a
voice was heard above the wall !:
"Why don't he come? 0 God, save
my husband from drunkard's grave"
] stood transfxed. She was standing
in the portico fronting the street,
leaning against one Of those high col
umns, her face, as reflected by the
pale rays Of the moon, was ghost-like
in appearance. She was soeeping,
yes sadly aoeeping the lonely hours
away ! AT length he came ; beastly
intoxicated, and with threats and
oaths, he threw himself upon the floor,
a raving maniac. Itore myself away
from the scene Of horror. L could
no longer gaze upon a picture, at the
sight Of which the heart turns faint
and sick. No earthly power could
separate him from the wine cup, and
in few months he died from mania
q potu. She, too, the once joyous
bride, now sleeps in the quiet church
yard, the victim Of a broken heart -
Literary Companion.
Year: 1860

A CLocK.-There is an old Dutch
clock in Albany, of which the
Standard of that city relates the
following strange freaks: ave last
evening heard story, in which the
strange freaks of clock are rela-
ted. The clock is one Of those tall
Dutch kind, that were so much in
vogue during the early part of the
last half century. 1t is no earthly
use to the owner-a Broadway
merchant-and has not been for
upward of twelve years, yet he
keeps it in good shape in one corn
er of the house, as a relic of days
gone by. The clock originally came
from Germany in the year 1765. 1t
was brought over by a German
named Wilhelm Spitz. In the year
1900 it became the property of the
present owner, and has remained
in the family ever since. AS we
have already said, the clock is use
less as a time-piece, and it is only
retained for its family connections.
The remarkable feature of the clock
is, that, although it resists all at
tempts of the repairer to make it
run or strike, it invariably strikes
previous to the death of any mem
Der of the family. The last striking
took place week ago Sunday
Yesterday the news reached here
that a nephew Of the owner, who
was travelling in Europe, had been
suddenly killed while out riding
This fact seems strange and almost
incredible, but from the manner in
which the story is connected, and
the well-known veracity of the mar
rator, we have every reason to be-
lieve its truth"
Year: 1860

HARD WoaK.-Its hard work to
20 up a hill without leaning forward
its hard work for "neutraP edi-
tor to speak of politics without lean
ing one way or the other. It's hard
work to make dinner out of grape
shot, unless they are well boiled
and it's hard work to digest a FOOLS
argument unless it be soaked in some
thing like a reason. It's hard work
to do nothing, and have too much of
it on hand-and it's hard work to
collect debt of one who says "call
again tomorrow. It's hard work to
squeeze cider out or brick-bat-and
it's hard work to scratch out ideas for
a paragraph, after being on a spree
for twenty-four hours. It's hard work
to hold lightning by the tail--and
it's hard work to stem the torrent of a
woman's will but the hardest work
of all, is to edit and print a newspaper
that aoiH please everybody.
Year: 1860

S@ In obedience to Garibaldi,s
order, the artillery director Orsini.
who is at the head of the gun.foun.
dry at Palermo, is now superintend-


ing the casting of a magnificent
bell, which is destined for the church
of Santa Maria de Angeli of that
city. and to be rung on the 4th of
April of every year, for the purpose
of announcing to all coming genera
tions that the first signal-shot for
the national resurrection of the is
land proceeded from that cloister
church. On the bell will be engrav.
en- the year, day and hour in which
the bells Of the convent summoned
the inhabitants of the city to arms.
Year: 1860

In THE ARMY OF THE ENPERoR.--A
private letter from Bordeaux to q
gentleman Of this city states that
our friend and fellow-citizen j. L.
Testard is still in the Army of the
Emperor. In order that he may not
get out again, he has a body guard.
Testard is however negotiating,
and thinks that for the sum ofabout
s7OO he may find as good a man as
himself and filter subject for gun
powder. We hope so. Do it quick
ly Testard-do it before they have
a chance to send you off sogering
for the glory of the Empire. In
such an adventure you might get
ball in your head and gil tho last
place that any sensible man can de-
sire to locate. Pay the $700 Tes-
tard and come home.
Year: 1860

gentlemen OF leisure addressed o
letter to Gov. Moore, asking an ex-
preston Of his opinion as to what
should be done in an emergency
which is erpected to arise. The Gov
ernor answers in two column let
ter, which was no doubt intended
to be a private matter, but which
has found its way into the newspa-
pers, and is now the subject Of
very extended comment. We need
hardly say, that, if not intended
for party purposes, it will be used
for party effect, and it comes at a
most opportune moment. Our Se-
nior Senator has been heard on the
same subject, and all the other
high functionaries, Parochial, State
and Federal. Indeed it is q for
tunate circumstance in connection
with what Monsieur De Tocque-
vile and Sir William Jones are
pleased to call Democracy in Amer
ica," that there is no Office from
that of Constable down to Presi-
dent, where the duties are so oner-
Gus that the occupant cannot find
leisure to talk, write and stump it,
and it is principally for this reason
that we now find so much harmo-
ny and good will existing between
our widely separated extremitics.
But for this circumstance, the peo.
pie might lapse back into ignorance
and barbarism. We all feel and
know it to be fact, that the place
from which man speaks, carries
more weight with it than the per-
son Of the man, or what he says
1t is for this reason that the press
has adopted a nomenclature for
the classification of great men ac-
cording to their caliber. There
are large guns and great guns,
carrying canister and grape, pop
guns and blow-guns, flaps, fizzles
and flip-haps. When one Of the
largest go off and indicate what
ought to be done-the people, who
have the power to do it, set right
about the business, quitting all
their more honest and profitable
vocations. If the Union is to be
dissolved; all necessary to have
the work of dissolution accomplish
ed with convenient dispatch, is for
some Of the larger guns to point
their mouths this way. We hope
they will not do it until they have
calculated fully the chances. We
are opposed to it-not only on pol
icy, but because we feel satisfied
that we have so many exalted pa
triots this side of the line, that we
could not, without fight or foot
race, settle on one for President Of
the Southern Confederacy, where
there are SO many of equal virtue.


From Governor Moore's letter we
take it, that like many other gen.
tlemen we wot of, he is both in ia.
vor Of, and opposed to dissolu'
tion. In Platonic days this would
have been considered paradoxical;
but not so in the prolix refinement
of modern logic. The Governor
thinks there is cause for it and
there is not cause for it; a contin'
gency may not arise, and whilst he
hopes that it will not; uses his po


sition as Chief Magistrate of this
Union-loving people to induce the
belief, that outside Of a small lot oi
talking men, that the sentiment
of Louisiana bears that way. The


Governor sees only one way tc


avert it, and that is, for everybody
/ a. g.. A.
Year: 1860

PET BmDs.--Caged birds are the source
Of pleasure, and while they give great hap-
piness if they are kept in good healthy
condition, seem to enjoy life nearly, il not
quite as we'll, as their mates in the bush or
the wildwood--especially il, either from
lack Of memory or from blissful ignorance,
the Gagged birds do not know what pleasure
they lose, "Whero ignorance is bliss, It's
folly to be wise." One Of the great draw
backs to tho happiness Of birds, and to the
pleasure Of keeping them, is lice, and hav-
ing recently learned Of safe and sure way
of removing them, we give it to our read
ers. The Michigan Farmer says:


"Lay piece Of Canton or cotton fan
mel over the cage at night, several nights in
succession, taking it off at daylight Null
titudes Of the lice will be found upon il,
which are easily killed. After few days
all will be removed. A case in which this
was very successful has just been brought
to our notice; from a pair Of bob-o-links
hundreds of these parasites were removed
in this way"
Year: 1860

CAUTION TO MoTHERs.-On Tuesday
last, child of Paul Derrer, who lives near
this city, went to a leach the mother had in
operation, and drank an unknown quantity
of very strong ley. The young mother,
with remarkable presence of mind, within
a few seconds, had it drenched with strong
vinegar forcing the child to swallow about
a half-tumblerful, thus neutralizing the ley
and producing free vomiting, and afterwards
giving it milk. A physician was immedi-
ately sent for, who found but little to do be-
yond commencing the efficient treatment Of
the mother. He states that if, after the
drenching with vinegar, melted lard or but
ter, or sweet oil, had been freely used, in
stead of milk, the treatment would have
been complete. The child is still living
but is in a critical condition. Col. Jour.
Year: 1860




by WILLIAM WINTER
"And to look on pair of bright black eyes is the III
Of pair of blue ones."-GoErHE.


l.
Here's health to the lassie with merry black eyes
Here's health to the laddie with blue ones
And here's to first love as its sparkes and nesl
And here's to the hearts that are true ones
o yes-to the h. arts that are tender andtrue
With affection that nothing can smother
To the eyes of the one, that brilliant and blue,
And the merry black eyes Of the other


II.
Now mind you, my laddie whose eyes are blue,
That however the Graces invite you,
There is nothing for you in this world that will do
But a pair Of black eyes to delight you
And mind you, my assie whose eyes are black,
In pair of blue eyes to discover
THAT light ofaTecton you never should lack,
And-you'll always be true to your loveri


ILL.,
Long, long shall your eyes sparkle back with kiss
To the eyes that live but to behold you'll
Long, long shall the charm ofyour mutual bliss
In heaven Of splendor enfold you
For this is the thought OF poet wise,
OF poet whose thoughts are true ones,-
That to look on a pair Of merry black eyes
Is the life of pair OF blue ones
Year: 1860

The Vicksburg Sun has come in posses
sion of the following facts in relation to the
burning of a negro man at Mr.. Woolfolk's
plantation on Deer Creek. 1t seems that
the negro thus summarily dealt with was a
vicious, self-willed fellow, and becoming Of
Tended at woman (black) on the same
plantation, walked up 10 her as she was work
ing in the field and deliberately plunged
the knife into her breast.


Upon perpetrating this bloody deed he
fled to the woods, not, however, before Civ
ing several other negroes to understand
that their time would come next, and after
them two white men living hard by. Dogs
were put on his tracks, and after chase of
several hours he was captured, though not
without desperate struggle-the pursuers
being put to all they knew to take him
alive. Having securely bound him they
took him back to the plantation to consider
what was best to be done in his case.


Several highly respectable gentlemen
were present at the council, who concluded
that the severest punishment possible should
be inflicted upon the black desperate, who
had for so trivial a cause taken life, as i
might be the means Of repressing at oncc
any similar ebullition of passion on tho
part of other desperate negroes in thu
neghborhood.


They decided to burn him at the stake
which was done in the presence of all tho
negroes on that and several of the adjoin
ing plantations, all of whom seemed terri
fed out of their wits on viewing so awful {
scene. The spirit of the doomed negrC
never was subdued. He died cursing hi
judges-his last words being that he would
stake vengeance on them when they me
each other iu-."
Year: 1860

A physician in Middleboro', Mass, who
has some fowls which he valued very high
ly one morning last week, on going into his
yard discovered that some one had been
making predatory visit there and stolen
some Of his best hens. On looking around


little, he found purse on the ground con-
tanning 500, undoubtedly dropped by the
careless thief The doctor is quito willing
to have some more hens stolen at that rate.