smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

EXTRA SESSION OF CoNGREss.-Late Eastern
papers contain conflicting statements as to the
probability of an extra session of Congress. 1t
was generally believed that the President would
issue proclamation calling an extra session
at an early day, and this belief was strength
ened by the discovery of larger deficit than
was supposed in the Post OfHce Department t.
So far, however, it is not known that the Presi-
dent and Cabinet have come to any certain de-
termination on the subject.
Year: 1859

GIFT ENTERTAINNENT.-The two gift enter
tainments of c. w. Young's, will come off next
Saturday evening, at the theater We are very
much surprised at the favor with which this
enterprise has been recived; over Eve thousand
tickets, at one dollar each, have been sold, and
probably as many more would have found a
ready market. Each one of the ticket holders
is confident that be is the lucky individual and
already fancies himself sporting at least two
hundred dollar watch, with bracelets, rings aud
smaller traps thrown in.
Year: 1859

The Senate bill, recommending 10 the elect
ors of the State to vote for or against Consti-
tutional Convention, at the next general cleo
ton, passed the Assembly on Thursday last. BY
vote of fifty. three to fourteen. The bill hsv-
Ing passed both branches of the Legislature, by
a two-thirds vote. will doubtless be signed by
the Governor and become law. The bill au-
thorizes the people to vote either for or against
a Convention. but the Constitution requires
that majority of all the votes cast shall be
given for Convention, otherwise the measure
will not be regarded as carried so that not vo-
ting at all on the question will be equivalent
to voting against the Convention.


When the question Of calling Convention
was submitted to the people two years ago, we
advocated the measure /; but one Of the reasons
which then existed. for amending the Constitu-
tion, does not. exist as present. The State debt
which bad been illegally. and it may be dishon-
estly contracted had been declared void by the
Supreme Court, and the question as to whether
or not II should be paid, depended upon pop
ular vote or upon on amendment to the Con-
stitution. But the people voted to pay the debt
which had been contracted by their agents. and
the State is happily saved the disgrace Of repu-
diation, without any change Of the Constitution.


The most effective argument which has been
made against calling Convention, is its ex-
pense. 1t would cost the people not less than
100000. AConvention could do no damage.
except to expend the peoples money for their
work would have to be submitted to popular
vote. and ii would of course be rejected unless
it suited the people better than our present or
ganic law. There is no doubt that q Constitu-
tion could be devised, better adapted to the
wants Of the people, than the one by which we
are now governed. and which would save the
taxpayers OF the State as much every year as
the cost Of Convention. 1t sa matter of
doubt, in case Convention is called, whether
or not o Constitution would be framed to ac-
complsh that object; but the chances are that
tAe number of officials would be somewhat re-
duced, and the enormous fees and salaries paid
to others would be cut down. If this was not
done, the people could reject the work Of their
Convention. Looking at the money argument
alone--the certainty of expending 100000,
with the chance saving that much yearly, here
after.-it would seem to be the policy Of the
people to vote for Convention.


There are other considerations, however, con-
nected with this question, to which we shall al
ude hereafter, in case the people are called
upon to vote on the measure.
Year: 1859

LETTER Box RoBBERY.-The Petaluma Jour
nat relates that some contemptably mean puppy
was guilty, on Saturday week of tearing down
and robbing the letter box, which had been
suspended upon the outside Of the post Office of
that city, for the accommodation of the commu-
nifty. The number aud value of the letters in
the box, tthe time OF the robbery, Is unknown.
The Postmaster offers reward of fifty dollars
for the apprehension of the robber.
Year: 1859

HOLDING BAcK.--Thus far not one of the Ad-
ministration papers Of this State has taken a
position in favor OF the doctrine of interven-
tion by Congress in the affairs of the Terrific
ries, as advocated by the leading Southern
Senator'S. They talk all round the the ques-
tion. but express no opinion of their own. They
are waiting, perhaps, for another ukase from
the Autocrat of the Custom House.
Year: 1859

l have carried my family on my back
till am so round shouldered that can
only see the blue.sky and bright sun by
looking between my legs, and up to heav-
ems canopy that way. / lost two hundred
pounds of fiesh-horse meat--when / star
ted from Dubuque, OF we should have go
along better.
Year: 1859

PIXIES PEAK. A young man who
left his home in Rochester in February
last for the Pike Peak, gold mines, writes
from Fort Laramie, under date Of April
20, that after stopping at the diggings
about ten days, he became fully satisfied
that the whole thing Of there being gold
on the eastern slope ofthe Rocky Noun
tains is one of the greatest humbugs Of
the day, and It is his opinion that not
less than fifty thousand men are destined
to suffer, that few spectators may
make few dollars on village lois.-Nsif
+ Bedford Standard
Year: 1859

About the latter end of Queen Anne's
wars, Captain John Beams, commander
of the York Merchant, arrived at Barba-
does from England; having disembarked


the last part OF his loading, which was
coals, the sailors who had been employed
in that dirty work, ventrred into the sea
to wash themselves, there they had not
been long before person on board spied
large shark making towards them and
gave them notice of their danger, upon
which they swan back, reached the boat,
all but one, him the monster overlook al
most within reach of the oars, and grip
ping him by the small of the back, his
devouring jaws soon cut him asunder,
and as soon swallowed the lower part OF
his body; the remaining part was taken
up and carried on board, where his com
rade was. His friendship with the de-
ceased had been long distinguished by
a reciprocal discharge of such endearing
offices, as implied union and sympathy
with souls. When he saw the severed
trunk of his friend, it was with horror
and emotion too great for words TO paint
During this affecting scene the Unsuitable
shark was traversing the bloody surface
in search after the remainder of his prey
the rest of the crew thought themselves
happy in being on board, he alone unhap


py that he was not within reach of tht
destroyer. Fired at the sight and VOW
ing that he would make the deyourer dis
gorge, or be swallowed himself into tn
same grave-he plunges into the deep
armed with large, sharp pointed knife
The shark no sooner saw him but he mad
furiously towards him, both equally ca
ger, the one of his prey, the other of re


venge. The moment the shark opene


his capacious jaws, his adversary dexter


ously diving, and grasping him with hi


left hand somewhat below the upper ini


successfully employs his right hand, Civ


ing him repeated stabs il the belly, til


enraged shark after many unavailing e


forts, finding himself overmatched in h
own element, endeavors to disengage hin


self, sometimes plunging to the bottom


then mad with pain rearing his uncout
form, (now stained with his own stream
: ing blood, above the foaming waves
The crews of the surrounding vessels sa


the unequal combat, uncertain from whi'


of the combatants the stream OF blOC


issued till at length the shark we
u kened by the loss of blood, made


wards the shore, and with him his co
queror who flushed with an assuran
nc of victory; pushed his foe with redoubl
ardor, and by the help ofan ebbing til
a dragging him on shore, rips up his bo


els, and unites and buries the sever
:, carcass of his friend in one hospital


grave.-Frazer's Magazine.
Year: 1859

I am going to leave these diggings for
a better one. Il Is too much trouble 10
tug and pry up the great big chunks Of
gold thai weigh half ton or 20, and are
so thick that you cannot geEthem OH with
out danger Of breaking your legs, and am
going up a ravine, where all ] have 10 Do
Is to 60 TO the top Of a high mountain and
roll il down to the river.


How He KEEPS DowE TIE LIGHT


sEEEnHTg
Year: 1859

The Milwaukee News has a letter which
is so genially humorous that we make 1t
as attractive as possible, by means Of sub
heads. If you like fun read it. Ii is al
legged to be from citizen of Horizon,
Year: 1859

The murder of Mr.. Arnold in Centreville
crime of very remarkable atrocity, and it imposes
grave responsibility, not only upon the authorities
specially charged with the duty of enforcing the
law, but upon every good citizen. We suppose
there is no reasonable doubt that Mr.. Arnold was
murdered because he had made neutrality-suspicious. in
executing the law against the sale of spirituous Ii
quors. 1t Is known that he had incurred the hos
tlity OF those who were engaged in the illegal traf
hc, and that he had been threatened with their ven
geance We do not mean to charge the crime upon
them as class. We have no evidence that any one
OF them was concerned in it. 1t may have been
perpetrated by some man to whom the law was par
penalties. But there to be little question that
the crime was committed in the cause of illegal sale
of spiriuous liquors. The vindcation of the law
the public safety, demand that the work in which
MIR. Arnold fell should be taken mp by all the friends
of order in the community. 1t has ceased to be
question of the sale of liquor; it has become ques-
ton of the security of ife it has become question
whether man shall be murdered for attempting to
enforce the law of the land; whether citizen perils
his life in coming to the aid of the constituted au-
thorities PROP. Journal.
Year: 1859

A mans wife lately died in New York, and upon
exhumation of the body, not trace OF poison was
found in it. This is regarded as remarkable proof
of the advancement of virtue and domestic happi-
ness in that exemplary CITY,
Year: 1859

Judge Campbell of the United States Supreme
Court IN his charge to the grand jury at New Or
leans, recently after giving history of the Legsla-
ton of Congress from IVA down to the final act in
1920, showing in what light the infamous slave
trade has been held by the most illustrous men of
all parties, and expressing the Courts opinion that no
real change has taken place in public sentiment on
that question remarks:


"W hat hope is there that an offender, in this
predlcament, can successfully maintain his ilgot-
ten spoil against the power of the laws and the
vigilance of those upon whom vigilance is imposed
as public duty? The nature Of this hope seems
to be that public sentiment, so dissolute or de-
praved in favor of slave trading, has been or NAV
be created, or that the public mind can be so de-
bauched in reference to the Federal Union and
government that firm, steady and exact admins
tratlon OF the laws of the United States can be rem
dered impossible and thus that the laws in regard
to the slave trade will be nullified The success
anticipated is expected to be derived from the ia
cillty and weakness among grand and petit juries


alt cannot be denied that numerous instances of
eccentrcity on the part of uries have brought re
proach upon, and some dstrust Of this great inst-
tuition of the common law. But it is a hasty iudg-
ment to condemn the institution ITSELF and a peri
lous decision to commit crime in the confidence that
intdety and corruption will be permanent among
men associated under the laws to perform the high
est duty OF government-that of administering its
JUSTICE


1t cannot be otherwise than that the fearless and
straightforward course of Judges Campbell and
Wayne will have the effect to break up the trade
which certain reckless characters, sustained by a
few desperate fanatics, have undertaken
Year: 1859

HABEAs CORPUS FOR CUSTODY OF CHILD.


In re the application Of MARY Dempsey.
This was proceeding on wrt OF habeas corpus 70
rec yer the custody child eighteen months old who tao
oner alleged been taken from her by her husband ts
whom had been living separate since june. i2S william
Dempsey the father Of the child made the writ In
which he having taken the child away bot std
that the mother In the habit d Set
ting drunk and then tresns the child This return was s-
ysrd by the mother who denied the allegations The
referred TO ex Recorder Smith


Before Justice SUTHERLAND


DECISION.
The New York and New Haven Railroad Company AT Rose


Schuyler.


Motion for Injunction To the defendants IN this
action commenced such actions sssns the Psnd snl
prior Of this action granted The css
Of 10 tn each party who appeared
separately therein 10 to abide the result Of this action
Year: 1859

Yesterday was roaster, made toerable only by the
slight breeze which kept up grateful circulation.
The sky was clear for most of the day. but overcast
at sunset with the look OF a thunder-shower.
Year: 1859

In the course of our miscellaneous reading


we came across the following good story which


Illustrates the value of nit of practical infor.


nation, when applied at the right time -
! In the Piazza before St. Peters at Rome
stands the most beautiful obelisk in the world
| 1t was brought from the circus Of Nero where


it had lain buried for many ages 1t was one
entire piece Of Egyptian marble, 70 feet high,


II feet square at the base, and 8 feet square
at the top, asd is computed to weigh above
479 tons, and it is supposed to be 5000 years
old. Much engineering skill was REQUIRED to
remove and erect this piece of art: and the
celebrated architect, Dominica Fontane, was
selected and engaged by Pope Sextus V. to
carry out the operation. A pedestal, 30 feet
high, was built for its reception, and the Obe-
lisk brought to its base. Many were the in
geniOus contrivances prepared for the raising
of it to its last resting place, all Of which ex-
cited the deepest interest among the people.
At length everything was in readiness. and a
day appointed for the great event A great
multitude assembled to witness to ceremony :;
and the Pope, afraid that the clamor of the
people might distract the attention of the
architect, issued an edict containing regulations
to be kept, and imposing the severest penalties
on anyone who should, during the lifting of
the gigantic stone, utter single word. Amidst
suppressed excitement of feelings and breath
less silence. the splendid monument was gradu-
ally raised to within few inches of the top of
the PEDESTAL when its upward motion ceased :;
it hung suspended, and could not be got furth-
er the tackle was too slack, and there seemed
to be no other way than to undo the great
work already accomplished The annoyed
architect, in his perpexty, hardly knew how
to act, while the silent people were anxiously
watching every motion Of his features to dis
cover how the problem would be solved. In
the crowd was an old British sailor, he saw
the difficulty and how to overcome it, and with
stentoran lungs he shouted Wet the ropes!"
The yigilant police pounced on the culprit and
lodged him in prison the architect caught the
magic words, he put this proposition in force,
and the cheers of the people proclaimed the
success of the great undertaking Next day the
British criminal was solem1ly arraigned before
his Holiness his crime was undeniably proved,
and the Pope in solemn language pronounced
his sentence to be-that he should receive q
pension annually during his lifetime.


These little facts stored up from observation
can never do the owner any HARM and may
some day be of great utility; and this story
only proves the value of remembering small
things as well as great ones, for noting that is
u,efu is too insignificant for man to know,
and there is no knowledge that has net its
use
Year: 1859

NOISES IN THE SICK RooM-lt is extraor-
dinary how many persons unused to the sick
room, mistake certain noises for quiet. When
such people have to walk across the room they
do so with balancing sort of movement that
makes every plank crack uneasily. Their very
dress rattleS in a way that would make the
fortune of a rattle snake. If anything has to
be said, it is spoken in loud whirrimg whiper
that coucealS the words but makes the most
irritating of noises Now the silence Of a sick
room must not be labored, it must be natural.
Shoes that do not creak must be worn, and in
walking the foot must be put down carefully of
course but with firm step, that comes gent
ly, yet steadily, on the floor. This will not
make the creaking sound caused by the toe
pointed gingerly mode of movement So much
adopted by those whose experience of sick
rooms is small. The dress must be made of
some noiseeSs material, wool or Gotten silk
must be avoided, for it squeakS with every
movement. In speaking, the pitch of the voice
must be slightly raised, and the words, instead
of being hiSsed, as in whispering, should be
clipped short, and cut distinctly BY this
means the person spoken to will hear what is
said, while the least possible sound accompa-
MES the word-Barwetrs Cure Of the Sick.
Year: 1859

fire and going to the door of the room, said
very kindly -


Shall boil you a couple of fresh eggs for
your supper, Peter ?"


Yes, dear, if you please"


How the wife'S poor heart, which for years
had lain almost dead in her beSom, Ieaped witt
joyous impulse What light flashed over
her countenance making it beautiful as of ole
in the face of her husband Yes, dear, if yor
please" Not even the voice of Grsi or Dina
would her ears have found, such sweet music
AT the supper table Peter Crandall praised
the coffee and the fried potatoes, and said the
eggs were just what he wanted Mrs Gran
dali looked happy, and was happy. With the
vanishing of their fathers usual silence, and
their mothers sour looks and fretful tones, the
children's spirits changed like the chameleon,
and taking the hue of things around them,
rose into new better and happier states Con
tention ceased and there was something like
an emulation of kind Offices among them, in.
stead of selfish grasping Of whatever the
heart desired


Suddenly the eyes of Mr. Craudall opened
Even while he was wondering at the magical
change produced by few kind words, full
revelation Of the truth came to his mind. A
new leaf i'll the book of life was turned


Though turned once in the right direction
Peter Crandall pOndered this new fact in his
inner life hiStOTy-the magic of words-and
going back to the very beginning, reviewing his
own conduct towards his wife and family almost
day by day, up to the evening when by the
power Of almost a single word, the whole scene
changed, and quite as suddenly as we see it.
a.,
saw how unjust he had been; and cold and
even cruel in his Coldness. Very carefully did
he guard himself afterwards and very prompt
was he in observing all the little social cOur-
teses towards his wife and children which are
so beautiful to see and so sweet in all their in
fuences.


The green things fourished again in the heart
Of his wife, and the flowers bloomed there as
of old. The children learned to emulate the
kind words, and courteous Acknowledgements
for all little services that soon became habit
with their father and mother aud into kind
words spoken, kind feelings soon followed
1t was the beginning of a new order of things
in the home of Peter CTandall where, in good
time, the desert bloomed as the rose.


Words appear as little things in themselves,
but have great power. The magic Of kind
words is wonderful Try then, ye silent Peter
CrandalIs who have fretful wives aud conten-
tious children Try the effect of little whole
some praise to your tired, unhappy, overwork
ed companion, and see if it doesn't brighten
her pale face, as if a food of sunbeams had
been poured upon it. Try it with your child
and if YOU have in you the heart of a true
man, you will be so pleased with the effect that
you will keep on trying until YOU will scarcely
recognize your own household.
Year: 1859

ANTI-BAD Luck SoCIETY.-From the earIi-
est times to the present, superstition has been
an ever present quality of the human mind,
and persons who were themselves superstitious
have loudly decred it in others. This was
their idea Of reform. Even in this enght-
encd age, the old household beliefs are held by
many with great pertinacity, and no argument
will convince them of their fallacy The only
way TO do this is to prove the position that
the belief is nonsense, by a bold defiance Some
brave Frenchmen are trying to do this. A So
ciety has been formed at Bordeaux to put down
the superstition of evil omens As everybody
knows it is :" bad luck to begin anything on
Friday, or to sit down at a table with thr-
teen, or to balance your chair on one leg, or
to spill salt between yourself and friend The
new society propose to have regular dinners
on Friday, to have thirteen guests, to turn
chairs on one leg and spill salt around before
commencing. In the whole year, during which
ill-uck has been thus detied, no single fatality
has occurred to any member.
Year: 1859

DRINKING AMONG YOUNG MEN.-The Phila-
delphia Sun SAYS truly that indiScriminate
drinking among our Young men eventually
makes its mark upon the population of our
cities We can see it already betraying itself
in the rising generation. 1t is impossible for
any mau to drink even pure liquors six or
seven times a day without suffering severely
in constitution. And when he transmits an
impaired constitution to his sou, who in turn
impartS it still further by the same course, it
requires little foresight to see that we are pre-
pairing population for our cities that will
not in physical frame be much better than the
wretched AztecS This love Of drink and bar
rooms is every day increasing. Every day sees
our youth becoming more aud more the victims
of this habit, for we really think it is more a
habit than passion 1t is no love of jOviality
that tempts them, except in few cases. 1t is
not the hot eXuberance Of the youth. 1t is
not the evanesenct impulses of the gay young
fellow who is sowing bis wild oats. 1t is, as
has been said, cold, deliberate habit No
atmosphere of reckleSsnesS surrounds the
drinking groups, except on occasions and no
peals OF merriment atone for the act 10y pro-
wing that it is at least unusual. a grim and
melancholy air pervades each countenance-
The drinks are poured out, the glasses are
touched with a loathsome air of custom, and
each man swallows his portion with the same
impasSiye cOuntenance he would wear if he
were drinking a glass Of plain water. All the
coucomitantS that partially redeem or excuse
drinking, as far as it can be redeemed or eX-
cused, are wanting in this sad and formal GER
emOny.
Year: 1859

We have generally observed that man
bitten by dog, 10 matter whether the animal
is mad or not, is apt 10 get mad himself.


4 GOOD action is never thrown away. This
is the reason, probably, why we find so vpry
few of them lying around loose


ga- Nothing is more odious than the face
that smiles abroad, but flashes fury amid the
caresSeS of tender wife and children.


harHe is happy man whose circumstances
suit his temper bat he is happier who can
suit his temper to HE circumstances.
Year: 1859

Ray Fanny Fern says she once had narrow
escape from being a minister's wife, and tells
how she would have acted in such a case. Her
mad pranks, says Prentice, would evidently
have made her husband a disSenting minister