smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

The Icelander always takes his cap
off when he salutes any one, and not
content with merely touching the
peak, actually bares his head. have
thought that possibly it might be the
result of the confidential manner IN
which they kiss each other when they
meet, in which operation of course
the peak of the cap or the brim OF the
hat would be in the way. For the
Icelandic kiss OF welcome and farewell
is no empty ceremony; 1t Is given
with warmth and expression, and is
repeated two or three times, without
the least regard to age, sex or other
incompatibilities between the parties
concerned. But still, as this external
politeness appears to be only the eX-
preston of the feelings, / have aban
doned my theory, and have arrived at
the conclusion that the Icelanders are
naturally polite, at least toward those
who are polite to them in turn. The
every dav costume of the women Is
extremely simple. 1t consists of a
tight fitting. woolen-knitted bodice OF
a dark color, with narrow sleeves but
toned at the wrist, without any Orna
ment, and home-Spun skirt. The
dark color is set off by striped or
checked apron, usually green or red,
on the head is small, black cap, fast
ened coquettishly across the temples,
and with long, silver thread. The
Icelandic women have very thick and
beautiful hair, which they arrange in
graceful plaits, hanging down from
the cap upon their back. Many dark
brown eye and curling lock of hair
may be peeping forth from beneath
the cap, still, the ''corn golden hair
and the azure blue eve which the old
sages sing OF, is the general type and
thus pink and white are the prevail
ing hues that nature has laid on their
checks and foreheads.-A Summer IA.
G, land
Year: 1869

THE London Builder states that
in certain excavations lately made
on the banks of the Koura, at about
halt a mile from lis confluence with
the Arago, near Tifiis. the remains of
an ancient city have been discovered.
The tops of the houses are covered
with a thick layer of earth. The
supposition is that tho catastrophe
by which the place was engulphed,
occurred 1000 years ago A sub
terranean passage has also been
found under the river. The work
men have collected several coins and
earthen vases.
Year: 1869

A YOUNG minister went into the
country to preach, and observed
during his discourse poor woman
who seemed to be much affected
After the service he resolved to pay
her visit, and see what were the
impressions on her mind. ''Well,'
said the woman, ''Pll tell you
About six years ago, me and husband
removed to this place and all the
property we had was donkey
Husband, he died, and then me and
poor donkey was left alone. At last
donkey, he died and to tell you the
truth, your voice put me so much in
mind ofthat dear old critter, that l
couldn't help taking on about il"
Year: 1869

rapid that it is impossible to maintain republic
under Its influence and when we come TO seven per
cent see squalid wretchedness and crime mingled
with enormous wealth-the mass living In tenement
hels and the few In IN uary hardly conceivable.
Already the beneyole institutions OF New
York are complaining Of the increase OF
paupersm among American citizens. Our ma
tionaI servants must give this subject their
attention and must provide money that WIN
not cost labor over three per cent Monarchy exists
in gold currency, because only few can get It,
who, being on the side OF the crown, can rule the
mass and save the crown SO much OF q standing
army We must throw gold out OF currency and
keep 1t In the list OF merchandise TO deal with
foreigners. Our republican currency should be based
upon labor, article In which every Is capable
OF taking part. 1t Is the only common bond OF union
that exists, and we must have common bond TO
unite all In interest to maintain q republic, and
labor Is that bond Let 1t have expression Ia our
currency in gratitude for les services with the mus
ket. When the country was In danger banks offered
eightyhree cents the dollar the soldier from
the workshop offered his life.


Your oliical position enables your opinion to have
influence among those In authority, and do most
earnestly beg for the toiling crowd that You win
think over these crude suggestions. Very respect
fully, WALTER 8. WALDIE.
Year: 1869

THE CoLoRED CELEBRATIoN.-The colored
people of this county, celebrated, in this city,
the sixth anniversary of the Emancipation
Proclamation on the first of January Un-
fortunately, the day was the stormiest we
have yet experienced this Winter. The rain
poured down in torrents, and rendered it i'm
possible for them to make an imposing parade.
The exercises in the evening. at the Turn
Verein Hall were we are informed highly
creditable. The celebration wound up with
dancei in which all the dusky beauty and
chivalry Of the county participated.
Year: 1869

THE WORKING OF THE CURsE.-No greater
curse can possibly befal country than to
have its government fall into the hands of
visionary fanatics. Such men illustrate the
truth of Shakspeare's saying:


Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.


Without the slightest hesitation, they wipe
out the carefully considered legislation of
ages and substitute therefor their own crudi'
ties and vsgaries. The radical legislation of
the Rump Parliament in England and of the
French Convention, during the Revolution,
are standing monuments Of progress" in
folly. Monstrous, however, as we're the fol-
lies of those legislative bodies, the folly of
the Congress of the United States, since it
haa fallen into Radical hands, completely
eclipses them.


We had supposed that the lessons of his
tory teach nothing more clearly than the in
capacity of the negro for self government.
Contact with every civilization from that of
Egypt to that of America has utterly failed
to develop in that race any Of the elements
upon which q selfGaverning, African eivili-
cation could be built. Yet. despite the ex-
perience Of the past, the visionary fanatics
who control Congress have forced citizenship
and suffrage upon the negro race in eleven
Statee of the Union. And what is the result
Of this attempt to reverse the Jurisprudence,
not merely Of the nation, but Of nature? As
might be expected, lawless auarohy and
brute violence is the fruit of the experiment.
For moro than month past the negro militia
Of Arkansas have been robbing pillaging,
burning and numbering, in that State with
impuai,y. And, by the telegraphie report
in smother column, it will be seen that they
have commenced the same course in Georgia.
The working Of the curse has begun, but
where will it end Do the Radical, mock
philanthropists wish to have their pets de-
strcyed in war Of races? Ii seems so. For this
is the coming event foreshadowed by the use
the negroes in the South are making of their
new ledged authority. The real friends Of
the negro are those who recognize his pro-
per status in society and the laws of his ma
ture, and who are willing and ready to pro-
tect him in the enjoyment of his natural
rights. His worst enemies are those who
would force him out of his natural sphere
into that of the white man.
Year: 1869

knows exactly what it means when it speaks,
yet it exercises q strange, unearthly. upheal-
thy sort of influence over those who read it.,
which compels them TO return again and
again to its columns, inpelled BY morbid
unhealthy appetite analogous to that contract
ed by clay-eaters for that diet. Scores OF
young writers here, crazed by the unhealthy
glare of its intellect have ruined themselves
striving 10 initiate its style. Not that they
deemed it model. They knew not why they
were attracted by it. The bird knows not
what impels it toward the fangs of the rattle
snake. tell you at the last day, many are
those who will rise up in judgment against
that paper.


SMALL Pox.


People abroad, imagining US to be in a
chronic condition of alarm about the small pox
are greatly mistaken. We have forgotten
that it is among US. We turn up our noses
in contempt when it is mentioned and break
for the door at the sight of pustulated face.
Seventeen funerals day before yesterday pass
cd through the portals of Lone Mountain.
We do not inquire how many of those were
victims of the disease. We do not wish to.
We have become Mahommedans, Turks, Fa-
talists. If We are to have it, We shall have
it; if not, we shant. Those who recover will
lose their beauty. Most of the women prefer
death. blame them not. many of them have
nothing else to lose. When we would be
vaccinated, we read the respectable dailies."
Their columns are full Of small pox Elatter.
No two doctors think alike on the subject.
II they did the disease would abate. The
Lord help us and you grant us Happy
New Year and safe deliverance from the
Devil, the earthquake, the small pox, and
John Conness in Grants Cabinet.


PRENTICE MILFORD.
Year: 1869

The WORKING OF THE CURsE.-No greater
curse can possibly befal country than to
have its government fall into the hands of
visionary fanatics. Such men illustrate the
truth of Shakspeare's saying:
Year: 1869

One day there was great humping in
my cellar, and if you had gone down
there you would have seen that one of the
windows had been opened, and that sticks
OF wood, some square, some round, some
three-cornered, big and little, knotty and
clear, all sawn the right length for the
stove, were pouring in through that win
dow; and every stick as it came down
seemed to say, Stand clear, or you'll get
hurt" So l stood clear, and let the
workers have it all their own way


l suppose the one who sent it thought
that splitting it would be good exercise for
the minister, and he thought 80 too. So l
went at it. But pretty soon big stick
turned up, full of hard knots on
every side l fancied that one of these
knots looked like an eye, and that it kept
watching me as l picked up one stick after
another, and left it untouched. In fact, it
almost seemed to say, "Split little sticks,
if you have mind, but dare you to
touch me-"


1t was great annoyance to see it there
every day but the question was how to
get rid of it. 1t was too good to be
thrown away, and it was too big to 60
into the stove My only course was to try
to split it. So one day when l felt strong
in my bones, laid it on the block with the
eye up. Then putting all my strength
into my arms, sent my ak fair across the
eye, and through it went


TO my surprise, the old stick split more
easily than many others before it. And
then could not help thinking how true
this is all through life. How often do men
and boys fancy that some duty is very
hard, and work all around it, and fear to
touch it, hanging back until they can do 80
no longer, and then make good effort,
and find that it is real easy, and that they
have had all their troublesome fears for
nothing.


Boys, remember that knotty stick.
When you have any work to do, don't
stop to think how hard it is. but take hold
at once bravely; hit it fairly in the eye,
and, ten to one. you will be through be-
fore you know it.
Year: 1869

A correspondent of the Petaluma Jour
nal and Argus, of April 18th, relates the
following singular incident:


A novel sight was witnessed few days
since by Mr. Gafftny, who lives near Rod
oga Bay. While blowing near the coast,
his attention was directed to an unusual
commotiOn in the water, nearly mile
from shore, which proved to be a conflict
between five swordfish and sperm whale.
The ocean was quite calm, and as they
neared the shore their movements
could be plainly seen. The whale
was no match for his antagonists, who
seemed to understand his only means
of defense, and displayed considerable
knowledge of tactics in parrying with
their formidable adversary. In making
their thrusts into mis- sides they would
keep clear of his tail, one blow of which
would have been fatal to them. With
maddened fury the huge monster of the
deep would strike right and left, causing
the water to boil by the force of the blow
and then he would dive deep to escape
the relentless fury Of his tormentors, bit
he was followed and soon brought to the
surface. Deep gashes could be seen in
his side, and the blood flowing freely. The
fight was witnessed for nearly an hour,
when the whale, in the agony Of despair,
started for the shore, fiinging himself upon
some low rocks, and soon died from the
effects OF bis wounds Gashes two feet
deep and six feet long were made in his
sides. Many in this city went to sec him.
he was between fifty and sixty feet long
The third day the tide rose high enough
to float him from the rocks, and he flOated
out to sea-
Year: 1869

THE Boston Commercial Bulletin pro-
pounds the following questions for the
Musical Committee Of the Peace Festival


Is cat-o-nine tails a " stringed instru-
ment?"


When q vocalist sings bass, what will
be the tenor of his remarks


Is twenty the score of the opera?


Is snoring sheet music


Is there to be any dew ate at the per-
Torrance; and if not, will it be much
missed?


Are twenty-four sheets of music neces-
sary for musical choir?


Do the Intellectual efforts of man to lift
barrel of sugar come under the name of
sweet strainss


Is musical argument good sound rea-
soning?


What does the musical scale weight


Is an applicant who comes t. sing once
better acquainted with the ba:s than one
who has been to Sing Sing twice?


Speaking OF ages, would yOu call the
piano forty?


Is there any reason TO expect that be-
cause you go to Singer for sewing ma
chine, you could 60 to Sewer for singing
machine?


Will not the most popular air with
young ladies and gentlemen 1T the per
formance be the heir to large fortune?


Are fingers hand organs?


Among the military music will you in
troduce "qusd drill for printers?


Ought Haydn to be made great handle
of 10 presenting the programme of sacred
music?


And fiually, will ladies with "baud I"
boxes, and apothecaries who are willing
TO give vial in SO low that everybody
can have one, be admitted free?
Year: 1869

A RESIDENT of Oshawa, Canada, has
invented an improved velocipede, which,
it is claimed, far surpasses all others in
speed. The gearing is so arranged that
with one motion of the foot the front
wheel will make two revolutions; another
brake will throw the machinery into gear,
so that the foot will move twice to one
revolution of the wheel-adapted for
ascending hills; third adaptation will
throw the crsnks off the wheel, and thus
the velocipede will roll down the hill
without the feet moving; a fourth ar
rapgemcnt will convert the whole into an
ordinary bycicle. 1t Is furnished with
brake to check the speed of the machine.
When put to its full speed it can be driven
a mile in two minutes.
Year: 1869


NEVER a nOise my little ones make,
Pattering through the hall;
Never a bit of trouble they take
Always within my call
MY little ones are, and oh so good,
Gathered about my knee.
Harry would be a man. if he could
Though he is only three.
Benny, my eldest, my first-born,
Sill sitting on my lap,
Though he now dreams of the college hour,
And hoists his ready cap.
These are my little ones ah so sweet!
And yet one more
He never has tried his little feet,
Never beyond the door
Nestled close in my heart are all
Myquiet little ones;
Ever within my whispered call,
My nOiseless little sons.
They play at ball on The Oaken floor,
Many a time and oft:
Or steal behind through the open door
To kiss me soft.
Ny little ones in memory live,
Allsoquiet and still:
Never a bit of trouble they give,
They come and go at will
Come and go about my home
So soft and stil:
In my brain my little ones roam.
My heart they fill.
All about in happy places
Are my little ones:
But none may see the angel faces
OF my little sons.
Hearth and Home.
Year: 1869

A SQUARE MEAL IN NEvADA-A traveller to
the White Pine region in Nevada, thus portrays
ones experiences: At one station the party halt
ed for square meal. There was tent, and in it
q huge kettle of coffee and camp oven. Aser
waiting few minutes the landlord came 10 the
door and snapped out, sRoomfor four. " Our In
formant went in with three other men, and they
kneIt around fat box, which the hotel keeper had
turned down on the ground. On the top were four
basins of strong coffee, and by each dirty tin was
dirty black biscuit and an egg. The coffee and
eggs were good, and the biscuits were good On the
outside, that is, the eater had to choose between
two evis-dirt over the top crust, dough under it.
Each loaf was like a cream cake, perfectly soft In
side. The hungry men tore off the crust, and after
blowing scraping and rubbing it to remove the al
luvial deposits, put it down with gusto and tor
rents of strong coffee. Theinside masses Of dough
were Left by each mans basin. When the men
had finished their meal, and while they were yet
kneeling, the host put his SCOT begrimmed snd
greasy hand over the box and spoke again: Four
dollars" He was paid. Plump went the silver
into his pouchy pocket and pop went thefour mass-
es of dough back into theoyen. As soon as new
crust was baked over them, eggs cooked and the
basins refiAed with coffee, four mere hungry men
knelt down, ate off the crust, rejected the dough
for another baking, and paid their dollar each for
the meal. It was calculated that one more stage
load of customers would finish the biscuits and
put the landlord to the trouble of kneading new
batch.
Year: 1869

men, with the misfortune of the connecting band.
Their mental operations are entirely distinct, OF
which we can, perhaps, give no better Illustration
than by saying, that when playing chess against an
adversary, they consult one another about the next
move. Their original resemblance, the necessities
Of their position, and the fact that their experience
must have been absolutely identical throughout
life, having combined to bring them into an extra
ordinary degree of concord in thought and action,
but into no greater degree than may be thus per-
fectly accounted for. The very question about
their separation of itself, declares their perfect
separateness. Il appears to hsve arisen entirely
from the conflicting claims of the respective fami:
lies, and to be contemplated only as sacrifice Of
the fraternal bond to the interest of children.
Most probably, however, the idea will not be car.
ried into execution. The surgeons who have as
yet been consulted are decidedly opposed to it,
and think the danger too great to be incurred fol
the sake Of the doubtful benefit The connection
between their respective blood vessels is such that
they must necessarily have any blood disease in
common; and it is probable that the last Illness Of
one from physical as we'll as moral causes, would
be the last illness also of the other. The separa
ton would present no surgical difficulty, and might
be accomplished at any time, if the accidental IL
ness or death of the one brother might require it
But, putting accidents aside, and dealing with con.
stitutional causes, it is most probable that the
brothers, loving in their lives, in death will not be
divided. :.- r-..... -- .'.- e


1t has plainly been their study, and has become
their second nature, to act in harmony with each
other in all things They move as if by one i'm.
pulse, and without verbal communication, and it is
said, indeed, that they rarely talk to each other
But each would feel the others impulse to move
before by.stander could detect it. They take
pleasure in rowing, shooting, fishing and sports
that they can pursue in concord They take nc
pleasure in sports that would place them in oppo'
sision--as in playing games Of chance or skill
against each other, although perfectly capable Of
playing such if they cared for them. We need
only add that they appear to be very courteous and
intelligent gentlemen, and We ore informed that
during their long lives in North Carolina they have
earned the respect and esteem of their neighbors
alike in their business connections and in their pr


vate lives. They were shareholders, enthusiastic
Sou.herners, aud lost largely by the collapse Of the
South. We trust their visit to Europe may IN
some degree repair their shattered fortunes, and
may afford them the means of returning in tram
uuillity to thoir former mode Of life
Year: 1869

LEADER OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION.


Carlos Manuel Cespedes was born about forty-6ve
years ago, in the town of Bayamo, Cuba. The first
twelve years of his life were spent with his parents
who resided on plantation in the vicinity. With
them he only learned the first rudiments of read
ing, writing and arithmetic, while at the same
time be INDUCED in those hardy employments and
healthgiving games, which are consequent to life
in country naturally mountainous and full of for
ests. His family having moved when he was twelve
years ofage, to the town of Bayamo, Carlos Manuel
was sent there to school for the first time. A few
days after the commencement of his studies there
be gave proof of extraordinary mental activity and
intellectual talents, leaving behind him the most
advanced scholars in the school, and being recogniz
ed by them as the head Of the institution.


When eighteen years of age he went to Havana
with the object Of prosecuting bis studies there for
the law profession. His great intellectually was
further developed there, at the same time that
numerous personal affairs gave him an opportunity
to show his active, courageous and tenacious dis
position, giving an indication that he would be as
'great in war as in peace" Graduating as attor-
ney at law, in Europe where he went afterwards,
and receiving the greatest university honors he re-
turned to Cubaand fixed bis residence at Manzanil-
10. His powers of eloquence, his energy and his
knowledge, soon made him the most populsr man
in the vicinity and entitled him to rank as the first
lawyer in that part Of the country. But ofa traits
in his character, generosity rurks an important
one and will give lustre to all his future actions.
The fortune which he inherited from his father,
the wealth which he. amassed by his industrious
exertons, an his future prospects ofincreasing it,
would have secured him life full ofease and COM
fort; but his patriotic heart could not support
longer the sight of bis country in chains and the
victim to the outrages of the tyrannical Spanish
government. Inspired by heroic resolution, he
gives freedom to all his slaves, abandons his sugar
estates to the merciless fury of his Spanish foes
who burn them all in revenge, and sacrificing all on
the altar of liberty and independence, with the
noblest motives be inaugurates the revolution In
Cuba at the head of one hundred patriots move
ment which now counts In its ranks the whole nat
i've population of the island. To the present he has
shown in all his acts the fullest energy, an untiring
constancy, and the greatest moderation in the ex.
ercise Of the discretionary power conferred on him
by the unanimous accord of all Cubans When We
see men Of this stamp, supported by all the natives
of Cuba, and that they, without arms and amuni-
ton of any consideration, and by their unaded ef
forts not only have been able to withstand the ad-
vance of the Spanish, but have repeatedly defeated
them and at last obtained possession Of almost all
the land then it becomes impossible for US to doubt
of the final triumph Of liberty and the prevailing Of
American institutions in the "Gem Of the Anti
les"