smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1860

A NEw SOCIAL GAME has recently been
introduced in the Eastern States, which is
conducted as follows " A small piece of
stick is lighted at one end, and the blaze ia
blown out, leaving the sparks. 1t is then
pessed from one of tbe company to the next
on bis right hand, and so on round the circle.
each one saying, as be hands it TO bis neigh
Dor, Jacks alive The player who holds
the stick when the last spark dies out, must
consent to have delicate moustache painted
on his face with the charred end OF the stick
which is then re-lighted, and the game goes
on. Should the wearer OF the moustache
have Jack die second time on his hands.
an imperial, wbIskers, or exaggerated eye.
brows, may be added TO his charms While
Jack is in a lively condition, with his sparks
in fine, brilliant order, be Is passed carelessly
from one player to another but when he
shows symptoms of dying, it is amnsing to
see how rapidly he changes hands, for each
player is bound to receive him as soon as his
neighbor pronounees Jacks alive In case
the moustache decoration is objected to, a
forfeit may be paid. instead, by those who
hold Jack dead
Year: 1860

RIVERS AND MES.-All rivers. small or
laig agree in one character, they like 10
lean little on one side they cannot bear to
have their channels deepest in the middle:
but will always, if they can, have one bank
to sun themselves upon and another 10 get
cool under one shingly shore 10 play over
where they may he shallow, and ripping:
foolish and childlike. and another steeps
nnder which they can pause and purify
themselves and get their strength of waves
fully together for due occasion.


Rivers in this way are just like wise meu
who keep one side Of their life for play asd
another for work, aud can be brilliant and
ehattering and transparent when they are at
ease, and yet take deep counsel on the other
when they set themselves to their main pur
pose, And rivers are just in this divided
also, like good and wicked men the good
rivers have serviceable deep places all along
their banks, that ships can sail in /; but the
wicked rivers 10 scoOpng itfegularly under
their banks until they get full OF stragglip >
eddies, which no boat can row ever without
being twisted against the rocks; and pools
like wells. which no one can get out OF but
the water kelpie that lives at the bottom /:
but, wicked or good, the rivers all agree In
having two kind Of sides.
Year: 1860

The punishment of the wheel, which was
suppressed in 1890. was one OF the most fright
ful which can be imagined. The criminal
was extended on u St, Andrew 5 cross. There
we're on it eight noiches cut. one below each
arm, between the elbow and wrist, another
between each elbow and the shoulders one
under each thigh, and one under each leg.
The executioner, armed with heavy trian-
gular bar Of iron, gave a violent blow on
each OF these eight places, and, Of course


broke the bone and ninth ON the pit OF
the stomach. The mangled victim was now
lifted from the cross. and stretched on a
small wheel, placed vertically at one Of the
ends OF the cross, his back on the upper part
ofthe wheel, bis head aud feet hanging down d.
The sentence bore, that be was to reuain
there as long as it pleased God to prolong
his life. Many fingered there Eve or six
hours, some longer. A son Of jeweler in
the Place Dauphine, who had murdered his
father, was only relieved by death at the
end Of twenty-fOur hours. These unhappy
beings often nttering horrible blasphemies,
always tormented by continual thirst. in-
cessantly called out for something TO drink


man OF God, priest, never left their sid,
during their excruciating agony, but in.
ceessantly put water to their parched lips
wiped the sweat from their burning brow


and pointed to merciful God above tn,
scafiold, extending his arms to receive them
Year: 1860

SHOULDN'T WONDER. - The Calaveras
Chronicle tells of fellow who discovered
bis wife in private conference with gentle
man unknown TO him. The husband said,
/" he was never so mad at any little thing
before in all bis life."
Year: 1860

WILL BE WAR.-Lste accounts from China
say the Emperor has declined to make any
reparation to the English and French for the
affair at the mouth of the Peiho last year
The brother Of the Sun and Moon may look
out for squalls at an early day in conse-
quence.
Year: 1860

GOLD MIXES OF IsDIASA.-The place where
the gold has been discovered in the largest
quantities is about nine miles from Nash
vile. and five from Norgantown, in Brown
county. Itis at the foot of range of bills
which form nearly half circle. AZ the base
OF this hill, is a creek. in which there arc
already few s.uices arranged. The gold
has mostly been in dust, although some few
small humps have been found. The largest
saw was about the size of a grain Of corn


1t is supposed by some old Californians thai
the dust has been washed down Off the hills


They intend to commence digging as soon a:
the weather will permit. | found fifty OF
sixty persons engaged in washing. They
have made as high as six dollars and thirty
cents per day. The gold is OF fine quality
and is sold in Columbus for s22 per ounce


which am told is very high for California
gold. From the survey that made, think
that we will have some gold mines opened
the coming spring.--COr. Gin. Gag, FEB. 2s
Year: 1860

Fun AT HoME.-Dont be afraid of little
fun at home, good people. Don't shu: up
YOUR houses lest the sun should fade your
carpets; and your hearts. les; hearty laugh
should shake down some of the musty old
cobwebs there If YOU want to ruin your
sons, let them think that all mirth and social
enjoyment must be left on the threshold
when they come home at night. When once
home is regarded as only place to eat,
drink, and sleep in, the work is begun that
ends in gambling houses ard reckless degra-
dation. Young people must have fun and
relaxation somewhere. If they do not find
it at their own hear,hstones, it will be sought
in other. and perhaps less profitable places.
Therefore, let the fire burn brightly at night,
and make the home nest delightful with all
those arts that parents so perfectly under
stand. Don't repress the buoyant spirits of
your children; half an hour of merriment
round the lamp and freight of home blols
out the remembrance of many care and
annoyance during the day. and the best safe
guard they can take with them into the world
is the unseen influence of bright little do
mestic sanctum.
Year: 1860

Enjoy the present, whatever it may
be, and be not solicitous for the future,
for if you take your foot from the pres
ent standing, and thrust it forward to-
wards to-morrow's event, you are in q
restless condition. II is like refusing to
quench your present thirst by fearing
you will want drink tho next day If
it be well today, it is madness to make
the present miserable by fearing i'll to-
morrow-when you ere full Of to-day ;
dinner, to fear that you shall want the
next days supper for it may be you shall
not, and then to what purpose is this
days afiiiction? But if tomorrow yo,l
shall want, your sorrow will come soon
enough, though you do not hasten it,
Let trouble tarry till its day comes. But
if it chance to be i'll to-day, do not in
crease it by tho cares of tomorrow. Enjoy
the blessings of to-day, ifGod sends them
and the evils bear patiently and sweetly-
for this day is only oirs-wo are dead to
the morrow. lie therefore is wise who
enjoys as much as possible and if only
that days trouble leans upon him, it i.
singular and finite. Sufficient to the
day is the evil theraof." Sufficient but
not intolcrable. But if we look abroad
and bring into enc DC Thoughts tht
evils of many that will never be, our loat
will be as intolerablc as it is unreason
/ nlln
Year: 1860

We don't know where the following
came from, but it's pretty good. barring
the irreverence displayed:


TT's ALL HABIT.-As an illustration of
this fact, we hear good story, the
other day, of an eminent railroad man as
well as political manager, who is rather
addicted to profanity on any and all oc-
cosions, whether in buying or selling o
cargo OF grain, in convention of railroad
managers or political wire-pullers. Our
ralroal friend, in walking down Wall
street one day, in company with vener-
able and devoted member of the Board
of Brokers--onc who kept his legal pew
in Trinity, attended the STATED preach
ings of the Gospel regularly, and who,
on the whole, was religiously inclined,
but not so much that lie could not drive
n good bargain among the bulls and
bears on week days, when the conversa-
ton took a hcavcnward turn. Leciuring
our railroad official on the immortality OF
the habit of swearing-its influence on
the young, when coming from one hold
ing SO prominent a position, legged OF
linn to try and leave it off. Good natured
Jolly railroad man listened attentivcly to
the good advice, acknowledged its force,
medlatng, by whistling along rubbing
his nose. turned to his venerable lectur
er and said; "Oh, h-ll. You pray good
deal, and | swear some but we don't
either OF us mean anything"
Year: 1860

COMING TO THEIR SENsEs.-Tho Rochcs-
ter, New York Democrat, a Republican
paper, speaking Of the operations of tho
underground railroad. says:


We cannot, in mercy to the poor blacks,
feel that they are lettering their condi-
ton by going northward. Canada is not
a congenial place for them. Its climate
is against them. and it does not offer
profitable field to their industry. The
young negro who crossed over yesterday
will be fortunate if able to earn better
| living than he had at Baltimore, or Sc
cure any more OF the real blessings of
freedom than were offered him in servi-
tude. As for the poor old man, he will
fare hard in Canada, and will sigh for n
Louisiana home to die in before he has
spent year in Canada.
Year: 1860

An ITEM FOR PRESIDENTIAL AsPIRANTs.-
The eminent writer in the Federalist
makes some suggestions in relation to
the Presidency which ought to be seri-
ously pondered in these latter days.
He says: "The Office of President will
seldom fall to the lot of any man who
is not in an eminent degree endowed
with the requisite qualifications. Tai
ents for lou intrigue, and the Hnte arts Of
popularity, may alone suffice to elevate a
man to the first honors Of single
State but it will require other talents
and different kind of merit to estab-
lsh him in the esteem and confidence
of the whole Union, or of so consider
able portion of it as would be neces-
sary to make him successful candidate
for the distinguished Office of President
ofthe United States"
Year: 1860

UTILIZED SAw-Dusr.-The ingenuity OF
Partisan cabinet-makers has found a use
for common saw-dust, which raises the
value of that commodity far above the
worth of solid timber. BY new process,
combining the hydraulic press with in
tense heat, the wooden particles are made
to form themselves into solid mass ca
pable of being moulded into any shape,
and presenting a brilliant surface, with a
durability and beauty of appearance not
to be found in ebony, rosewood or ma
hogony.
Year: 1860

PROBABLY Nor GuILTY.-The brothers
Castleman, who have been under arrest
at Vicllsburg, charged with the murder
ing of the owner Of trading boat, and
also his cook, negro woman, and then
robbing the boat Of over 81 900 in money,
had an examination on Tuesday of last
week. The Vicksburg Sur says:


We were informed by gentleman in
whom we have every confidence, that it
was the boldest case ever attempted to be
made out. The evidence did not attach
even suspicion to either party; that there
can be no doubt of the entire innocence
Of these men, and such was the opinion
of all who heard the testimony in the
case. The result is, no doubt, a source
of great qualification to the accused, and
equally so to their aged father, who has
long been resident of our county
Year: 1860

THE GLORIOUS UNCERTAINTY OF THE LAW
The Cincinnati Enquirer, referring to the
result of the great breach of promise case
in St. Louis, says:


"We once heard tho eminent Judge
Jacob Burnet observe, that mis- long ex-
perience at the bar and on the bench
warranted him in saying that, in nine cases
out Of ten in contested cases, he would,
were he interested in them, prefer that
they should be decided by the tossing of
a copper. rather than by the instrument
talities of a Court. Such was his idea of
the glorious uncertainty of the law"
Year: 1860

In most of the counties heard from, IN
which the vote has been reported, there Is
a large majority in favor of Constitution
al Convention, aud the probability is that
the measure has received the sanction Of q
majority of the voters Of the State. The
total number OF votes polled in Nevada
county is 6,96s, of which $3.50 were for a
convention, being 1903 votes more than
majority. If the measure has carried, it
will become the duty Of the next Legisla-
ture to provide for the election Of Dele
gates and tx the time for the Convention
TO assemble. The Convention will then
have TO submit the new Constitution to a
vote Of the people, at special election. for
ratification or rejection. The prospect that
the Convention will remedy some defects in
our present G Constitution Is worth the expe-
riment Of calling one.
Year: 1860

LnBERA.-The Philadelphia Ledger has
been presented with a specimen of coffee
raised on the plantation of President Ben
son, 10 Liberia. The berry is large and full,
of a light brown color, and is said to be the
best coffee known. Speaking of the future
prospects Of Liberia, that paper says;


The remarkable prosperity of Liberia within
the last five years, in agricultural, commercial
educational and religious aspects, the increas-
ing enterprise of her citizens for pushing into
the interior and establishing new settlements,
the growing disposition of the cOlored people OF
this country to look to their ancestral land for
the good which they seek almost in vain on this
continent, are ample tokens that the time is
rapidly approaching in which ths most ardent
aspirations of Christians and philanthropists
for Africa's civilization and elevation will be
fully realized.
Year: 1860

CHIEF JUSTICE SHAW on THE JUDICIARY.
The venerable and erudite Judge Shaw,
of Massachusetts,, as our readers are aware,
lately resigned his position on the Bench,
on account of advanced age. The Bar OF
Massachusetts, addressed him compliment
tary letter on the occasion, which gave the
venerable Judge an opportunity to express
bis opinion, founded on long experience by
practice and observation, of the superiority
of the judicial system, by which the Judges
are appointed over that by which they are
elected He says:


If amid the gusts and whirlwinds of po-
litical violence, of personal rancor and par
ty rage, passion aud force for the time bear
rule. may we not still hope that the calm
reflection of the sober men of the Common
wealth will resume their sway, and enable
a trustworthy Judiciary to maintain the
safety of the State. Above all, let us be
careful bow we disparage the wisdom of our
fathers, in providing for the appointment
to judicial office, in fixing the tenure OF Of
fee, and making judges las free, impartial,
and independent as the lot of humanity
will admit" Let no plausible or delusive
hope of obtaining larger liberty, let not
the example Of any other State lead you in
this matter to desert your own solid ground,
until cautious reason or the well-tried ex-
pertinent of others shall have demonstrated
the establishment of Judiciary wiser and
more solid than our own.
Year: 1860

ABOLITION SPLrTrERs.--Itis is stated that
the Abolition party, of which Gerrit Smith
is the candidate for the Presidency, is about
to to split, or has split. A portion of the
party is too strong in the faith for Smith,
and will vote against him because they fear
that If be should become President be would
be too conservative. This split may i'm
peril MIR. Smiths election.
Year: 1860

ANY STAGE.

 We had been urging my grandfather to tell d story in his turn--it was great many years ago, before he was attacked by that illness which ultimately caused his death and after much persuasion he had consented We gathered eagerly round his chair; my uncle, the captain dealt the great centre log a tremendous blow on the head, which sent the sparks flying madly up the chimney; and we made up our minds to be very much amus- cd and delighted, though we had heard the story, no doubt fifty times before. Even the little ones left off their game of forfeits, and stealing round by the chimney corl.er, con- posed themselves to listen.

 The old gentleman smiled, took off his spcc- tacles, and thus began: What am going to tell you is an adventure that happened to myself, and not one of those children of an idle brain' which some of you have been re- lating this evening. It took place when I was quite youth-not twenty years of age and travelling through Germany for my pleasure.

 You have heard me speak of Muller, my trusty German friend and tutor? Well, he was with me at this time, and We were pc trianizing together through the States oi Central Germany. It was about midsum mer when we reached the fertile little duchy of Saxe-W eimar, where we took up oul quarters at snug inn on the borders of q forest which was very romantic and pleas ant. Now Muller would read and smoke all night. and lie in bed late in the morning but l was au early riser then, and loved te be out in the woods and fields by break O day, to see the sun rise from the hill tops so, as you may imagine, we had not much O one another's society till the afternoon. Or th's particular morning of which I an speaking, l had started earlier than usual meaning to have long ramble through ths green icfest, and bidding Muller come aul meet me at his leisure on one particular spot, which we had discovered day or tw, previously in the very heart of the solitude a wooded hill, down which a foamv cascod, leaped merrily, and mingled with the water of little winding river that threaded tn, intricacies of the forest. At the foot O this hill, just raised from the level of tn surrounding ground, and quite set rouns with leafy trees, was semi-circular piece Q lawn, like natural amphitheatre, throug1 which the streamlet took its way, still buh bling and eddying from the agitation cause' by the tiny cataract few paces beyond Altogether it was delicious place an, ! here, with g volume of Shakespeare in m,
Year: 1860

CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRAp.-A young girl and pretty, but above all, gifted with an air of adorable cander, lately presented herself before certain Partisan lawyer.

 Monsieur, came to consult you on a grave affair. I want to oblige man love to marry me in spite of myself. How shall l proceed?"

 The gentleman of the bar had, of course, a sufficiently elastic conscience. He reflected a moment then being sure that no third per son overheard him, replied unhesitatingly:

 Madalnoiselle, according to our law you always possess the means of forcing man to marry you. You must remain on three oc casions alone with him, that you can go be. fore judge and swear he is your lover"

 "And that will suffice, Monsieur?"

 Yes, Madamoiselle, with cue further condition"

 "Well?"

 That you will produce witnesses whe will make an cath to having seen you remain good quarter of an hour with the individu al said to have trifed with your affections.

 "Very well, Monsieur, I will retain yo, as counsel in the management of this affair Good day"

 A few days afterwards tbe young girl re
Year: 1860

A FASHIONABLE LOVE LErTER.-Momus publishes the following letter, just received from lover who went abroad to see tho prize-fght. An explanation of the current slang in which it is written is appended
Year: 1860

WHAT GREAT HEART DID.-I saw Great
Heart one day OH railroad train. lie was
well dressed and appeared 20 be reading,
through his spcctacscS, the morning paper. \
poor woman sat opposite with six little chill.
lrcn, the eldest scarcely dozen years old
The husband was Il stupid, hard hearted
wretch, and administered blows unsparinglv
to a wcaricd little thing who expressed it> dis.
comfort by crying and irctting as the hot dusty
air swept over its flushed face. The mother :
cOuntcnancc wore look Of patient despair
and continual anxiety, as the little restless
company sat crowded together in the loaded
car. Not one Of them looked shabby or unit.
dy. though very plainly dressed When the
engine stopped for fuel, the poor wOnian took
out from basket some bread and cheese,
which she distributed Spnringly among the
little group. Great Heart watched their move
mcnts all morning; as boy approached the
carriage with basket full Of berries, he
bought boxes enough to 20 around, and gave
them to the hungry children whose eyes gli>.
tened as they saw Snch n rare dessert spread
before them. One little girl perhaps five years
old, was nearly sick, aud tried to rest IN hei
mothers lap; but the tired infant disputed
vigorously her right. and She was obli.d t.
yield the claim. Great Heart had been grave.
ly considering the company, and he did not
hesitate TO take the poor chill tcIrlcry in hi,
arms, lay her carefully down in the seat beside
him, with her head in his lap. AMI then gently
fan her with his paper until she sank into a
deep peaceful smnlcr.


When we stopped for our dinner, we saw
them all seated by u beautiful table, loaded
with luXuricS to which they seemed almost
strangers, yet which they knew very we'll how
to appreciate. We knew it was Great Heart,
and we mentally blessed the kind, gcnc,ou,
nature that had thus shed sunshine on the
hard pathway Of the humble strangers.


Christian readers, ia caring for the souls o.
the poor, do not forget their bodies.
Year: 1860

And gently bear hin to his dreumlcSs rest.


con, God thou who 'lo>t temper the wind
to the shorn lamb have mercy upon that
stricken mother now suffering bitterness
Lcyond the pangS OF death, for there is no
greater anguish than the remembrance of an
unkind word, a wrong done to loved ones sleep
ing the 81 cnt sleep with the kiss Of death upon
their brow, the utter impotcncy Of our yearn.
ing love to clasp them from the grave and
hiring back smiles to eyes that never smiled
again, and words of forgiveness from pallid
lips now hushed forever.
Year: 1860

EDITOR DFs ARC CITIZEN; To those per sonal and political friends who have thought proper to associate my rhme among the aspi- rants for the Legislature, and the office Of Sheriff of Prairie county, must return my sincere thanks, and shall ever feel grateful for their kind consideration; and regret that my private relations, forhids in justice to myself, to accept either the one or the other solicita- tion. Feeling confident that the Democratic party will make a judicious choice in both selections, shall wait their action and fall into the ranks as n voter, with the hope of the success of the same.

 Truly and respectfully, your obedient ser want, SIM. HORNE,
Year: 1860

SALE OF LoTs AT HICKORY PLAIN ihe sale of lots at this pleasantly located Vliiase' fifteen miles west of Des Arc--on Mohaay' was we'll attended Judging from the hand some price paid for lots, the proprietor mas no reason to regret his first attempt to build up the town. The bidding was spirited, and each purchaser seemed to be satisfied with his investment. We have heard enquiries made as to when another sale would be made at the same point,
Year: 1860

PROLONGED ABSENCE OF THE SCHOOL,
xAsree.-The following is literal copy Of
bill rendered BY vegetable merchant to
one Of his customers in this county, short
time ago. The Vegetable is, we believe a
resident of Sacramento county: