smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

A visit to the Patent Office in Washington would
convince any one that the inventive activity Of
Americans is unsurpassed in any country. Itseems
that the most complicated machines are the pro.
duct of intense thought but they are not the most
productive as property. Those inventions which
have brought the largest returns, ordinarily, have
been simple and easy Of construction. Inventors
rarely receive much pecuniary benefit from their
discoveries. Persons who have had the capacity
for foreseeing how they might be manipulated, OBJ,
tain the largest share ofthe advantages that accrue


Inventors sometimes singularly stand in their
own light in the matter Of compensation for their
inventions. Eated by delusive prospect of be-
coming suddenly rich, they refuse to listen to ad-
vantageous offers for sale SO that many who
might have been comfortable, had they been rea-
sonable in their expectations in the end get moth
ing at all.


A mania for wealth won, instead of being earned,
is fed and nourished by inventors more than any
other class of persons They see clear way for
realizing million Of dollars when they refuse to
accept of twenty thousand, and after while come
to their senses with mortifyng realization Of the
mistake they made, when they cannot sell at any
price. Within year or so, ayoung man engaged
in handicraft hit upon pretty plan Of making an
ornamental appendage to cravat Of paper. Fol
the patent, which in the hands of a business man
might have yielded gratifying profit, he was OF:
fered thirty thousand dollars. He was urged by q
friendly acquaintance to take it. He would be in,
dependent with that sum securely invested. No; he
saw river of wealth flowing into his empty pock.
cts, and scornfully rejected the offer. A company
was formed and busting preparations inaugurated
for flooding the market with the newly devised tie.
The concern failed; leaving operatives unpaid,
debts in abundance, and the inventor worse of
than any of his associates, without receiving sim
Gle dollar. He is now oppressed with liabilities,
broken-spiited, and at work again for accustomed
wages.


This is specimen of the reverses and disap-
pointed expectations of ardent inventors deficient
in judgment. Those who succeed best in the
broad field of patent-rights are such as know
enough of the uncertainties of life to strike when
the iron is hot, according to the blacksmiths pro-
verb.
Year: 1869

'Dana is man" said Grant, ''for whom I ough
to have a great contempt, but to whom owe
nothing but good will. He came to me spy up
on my good conduct. He reported favorably. Il
it had not been for his favorable report 1 should
probably have been removed from my command.
Year: 1869

IMPORTANT DEcIsIoN.-It viii be seen by rcfe-
renee TO our special telegram from Atlanta that the
Supreme Court decided yesterday the relief law OF
the last Legislature constitutional and binding.
From this decision Judge Warner gives dissenting
opinion. We are glad that this question has been
finally settled. The people know now upon what
they must depend, and we incline TO the opinion that
order OF the day In all old cases.-Iugtstd fGG.l
C2tj'0rfcle, Jan. 81.
Year: 1869

Under q law passed few years back ofhcers OF
the United States Navy are retired from active Ger.
vice anoat after reaching the aye OF sixty-two or
having seen forty-fve years. service, excepting al
ways the additional extension OF time given under
the act OF Congress the case Of officers who have
received the thanks OF Congress.


Admiral Farragut, Vice Admiral Porter, Rear Ad-
miral Goldsboroush and q few others come under
this head. And yet, when we contemplate the ages
OF our admras 1t Is easily to be seen that they must
soon retire active service anoat and be placed
upon the retired list, giving place 10 men younger
In are but with than sulcien service to have
made them admlras long ago in any service save
that OF the United States The following tables were
compi,ed from ofrlcial records OF the department.
and may be relied upon as quite correct up to thin
date:-
Year: 1869

SUDDEN DRATH.-Mr Milton Garrett an old
resident OF the First Ward, died quite suddenly
last night at his residence, on q street, as ia
supposed OF disease OF the heart Mr. Garrett
employed in the Armory, TO this city, and for
many years was a prominent bacon dealer In
cur marketf, but retired from business about
the commencement Of the war
Year: 1869

FOR ALL KINDS of Gents Furnishing Goods
go TO the Original Franc, iyi 7th street between
ID and h three doors above Odd Fellows Hall
as bis is the cheapest store In the District Also
bear In mind that he has no branch stores
Year: 1869

Biliousness, Indigestion, General Debility and
all the complaints which proceed from a want of
proper action in the liver, the stomach and the
bowels, are eradicated by course of this great
Year: 1869

Are made strong by the of either of these rem
edies. They will cure every case of MARASMUS
without fail.


Thousands Of certificates have accumulated in
the bands of the proprietors. but space will allow
of the publication of but few. Those, it will be
observed are men note and Of such standing that
they must be believed.
Year: 1869

FoRT WHIPPLE, Arizona, July 24 1862

 SHERIFF SYrERr,-Dear Sir-In view of the manly stand that you have taken, as | learn, against the efforts of those mistaken persons who are seeking still further to en- hroil the civil and military authorities in this Territory, l consider it my duty to express my regret that my nasty action should have brought about personal collision between you and myself, having received and enter tained a wrong impression as to the nature of your mission and the nature of the summons which you were charged to deliver I have written this in view of reports which under stand are in circulation, to the effect that in- dignities were inflicted upon you These re- ports, with the exception of the simple fact that ordered your arrest for what l consid- cred an unwarrantable intrusion upon the Government Reservation contrry 10 my or ders are without the least foundation, in fact on the contrary, your tirnne,s and determin- ation, under what considered your mistaken sense of duty, was such as to command my respect and l feel that I should not allow a contrary opinion to obtain without contradic ton.

 You are welcome 10 give what publicity you sec fit to this statement.

 THoMAs C. DEyiS.
Year: 1869

derrick car and sJacks,n In removing t[ne enghe
and 30 leave the track clear from encuI0beaksoc'


THE BLANK. -.


Considerable discussion Is being indulged In az 70
who ls to blame for the accident. BY some personS
woo claim TO KNOW Ii stated that the conductor OF
the emigrant tram should have earlier sent back
brakeman with the danger signal to stop the ap-
preaching train, while Others equally competent to
Judge, express an opinion that the freight train had
no right TO follow up the em!srant train 80 quickly
II IS acknowledged by all that the emigrant train
the freight was only ten minutes behind 1t
when 1t passed Rhinebeck. The general opinion
seems to prevail that the accident was caused by
carelessness somewhere, and SAID that the super
intendent in New York viii ut once hold an investi-
CATION for the purpose Of ascertaining who is to
blame In the matter.


Whatever may have been the cause OF the accident
one thing Is certain and that is that little short OF
miracle prevented fatal consequences. Those who
nave investigated the matter are quite at loss TO
nnd any reason why some OF the ninetyone souls
who were in the broken up Car were not killed,
either BY being trampled upon or BY the falling
wreck
Year: 1869

What use do you make, reader, of coun-
terfeit fifty-cent Postal Currency, which you
find in your pocket-boOk, and do not know
where it has come from?


Do you invariably tear it up, or burn it up
are you careful that it does not get out Of your
pocket, into circulation again?


Have you not sometimes rolled up such a
bit of fractional currency, suspecting it to be
counterfeit, and willing to ''get rid of it"-by
chance or accident, as it were-and so keep
square with your conscience?


We have seen men-men whom we would
have trusted with our pocket bOok-return a
counter felt fifty cent piece to their pockets af-
ter they were convinced that it was spurious
What does such an action mean--provided that
the man is ignorant, as is generally the case,
as to where he got the counterfeit? 1t means
that he is not ready to bear the loss of fifty
cents like an honest man. The action is dis
honest action. tie has no right to put coun-
terfeit where there is any possibility of his
passing it into circulation again. The honora-
bic proceeding is to burn it or tear it up the
very moment it's worthlessness becomes evident.
Do not hesitate a second. If you have not
this habit fixed upon you, cultivate it With
ont it you are in league with counterfeiters


You are one of the gang"-you are not al
honest man. Let this rule apply to a ten cen


stamp" and to ten dollar greenback equal
Iy anu TlSluly. 1neFe are only Two question:


to be asked. Is this counterfeit2 Yes. d.


l know who gave it to me2 No. Burn it


tear it up-dO not return it to your pocket al


you value your honesty


There is law compelling every bank to staml


the word counterfeit" in large black letters


across every spurious bill presented at its counn
ter, for whatever purpose it may be presented


under any circumstances, and upon whateve
bank in the United States it may be counter
felt. We once saw an apparently respectabl


man present twenty-dollar bill to the teller {


the Michigan Insurance Bank, in Detroit. II


merely wished to know if it was a counterfeit
a The teller made no answer, but simply brougt
g a powerful stamp upon it's face, and handed
4 back, with the word counterfeit" staring il
e astonished proprietor in the face We nevt
y saw darker cloud pass over human counts
e nance Oath followed oath in an ineffectut
J, effort to express the man s indignation. Ever
It oath stamped counterfeit" upon that man
:. character in letters as large and plain as tho'
n upon the BILL Not that he would have acte
II as direct accomplice of professional counte
;, feiters; but he was not prepared to do VIII
), common honesty demanded-destroy the sp
l. rious bank note and meet his own loss honor
r bly,.
rs OF course, says every reader, he intended
At pass the bill and that would be dishonest.
III And what is your practice, readerH DO y


destroy every little piece OF postal currency
Year: 1869

WHY DON'T YOU LEARN A TRADE?-This
question was pronounced in our hearing, few
days since, to man who had been for several
months unsuccesSfuly seeking employment as
clerk or salesman in some of our leading
houses. Complaining of his ill-luck, one Of his
friends, who knew he had mechanical talent.
but doubtful whether he could make himself
useful as a clerk or salesman, put the iuterro-
gatory to him which we have placed as the
caption of this article. The reply was, that
trade was not SO respectable as a mercantile
occupation. Under this delusive idea, our
stores a,e crowded with young men who havo
no capacity for business, and who, because Of
the fancied responsibility of doing nothing,
waste away their minority upon salaries which
cannot possibly liquidate their expenditures.
Late, too late in life, they discover their error,
and before they reach the age of thirty many
of them look with envy upon the thrifty me-
chanic, whom, in the days of their boyhood,
they were accustomed to deride. The false
views of responsibility which prevail in the
s0i-disant fashionable society of the present
dav have ruined thousands of young men, aud
will ruin thousands more.
Year: 1869

A young parson thus feelingly describes his
bachelor experience in the first village in which
he settled after entering the ministry:


Old ladies gave me tracts and tOrmented
me in every possible way. One gave me cough
lUzenges becau e fly got down my throat in
church; another sent me her late husband
golOshes to wear when | went out on wet even
ings: (The late husband feet were about five
inches long.) A third sent wonderful kind
of india rubber bag, which she said could be
applied wherever chill was felt. Not till my
sister came to stay with me did | know that
hot water was to be put into the creature
before using it; had thought it a sort OF man
to lay over my feet, and very useless of its
kind. A Miss Thompson was the most disa-
greeable of the old maids she actually one day
ran her fingers underneath my collar to see if
l wore f4nneL During the year l was at Lit
tleback l had thirteen pairs of slippers TWEEN
ty five sermon-cases, and three smoking caps
worked for me- One young lady embroidered
my initials on handkerchief in shiny looking
black thread. My sister says that it was done
| in hair and perhaps that accounts tor Miss
Ridge being so offended when said thought
Lester's red marking cotton as good as any
other Thre young ladies declared that hac
trihed with their affections; two, on the con


trary, affirmed that they had rejected me


while the village schOOlmistress assured tht


rector that had tried to press her hand.


certainly never had such hard work as while a


Littleback. l played at least three hundred


games of croquet, and at any spare moment


was liable to be sent for BY Miss Anna Phelp


to practice an Italian duet. bore my trial


with Christian fortitude until one mornin


the Bishop sent for me and said my conduc


disgraced my profession I took the hint, an


at the end of one year and three months m
career at Littleback was over. The young Ia
dies cried when went; they said l was " sue
darlingl" Now | ask my impartial reade
whether it was not hard that should be blau
ed for the ladies of Littleback? My life
blighted, and all that is left to me is thirtee
D pairs of slippers, twenty-five sermon case
g three smoking caps, one handkerchief marke
ct. G." and bad character from my late en-
e nlovers
Year: 1869

NOTHING LEAVES US AS IT FOUND Us.-If
sheet of paper on which key has been laid be
exposed for some minutes to the sunshine, and
then instantaneously viewed in the dark, the
kew being removed, faded specter Of the key
will be visible. Let this paper be put aside
for many months, where nothing can disturb it,
and then in darkness be laid on plate OF hot
metal, the specter of the key. will again appear.
we m meet, every book we read, every picture or
Iondscane we see. every word or tone we hear,
leaves its image on the brain. These traces,
which under ordinary circumstances are invisi'
bIe never fade, but in the intense light of GER
ebrai excitement start into prominence, just as
the specter image of the kew started into sigh,
on the application of heat 1t is thus with al
! the influences to which we are subjected.
Year: 1869

me cottage, and the murder always re-
mained an insoluble enigma. Eighteen
years have elapsed without any second
Identification Of the body unearthed by
the little dog, and, as consequence,
without any detection of the murderer.
The clothes in which the'body was dress
ed and the earrings and articles of Jew
elry upon it, were undoubtedly the prop
erty of Mrs. Buckson, for, upon her re-
turn, she found these articles missing
from the house. A close scrutiny Of the
cottage showed that the woman had not
only been there, but had probably been
murdered there during the night, after
Buckson and his wife had left. The
cord found in the room had fitted the
neck, and the chloride of lime in the cell
lar had evidently been disturbed. Many
articles of value, too, were gone, and the
house generally disarranged. Upon these
circumstances theory was founded that
the woman was one of party of burg
lars that had entered the cottage, and
finding it deserted, had leisurely ran
sacked it. The woman had arrayed her
self in the property of the absent mis-
tress, and afterward some quarrel had
arisen and she had been murdered by
the other members of the party. Sub
sequently this theory was, in part, thor
oughly established, when a complete fe-
male outfit, of coarse material, was ac-
cidentally fshed out of an old and un-
used well in the cottage-garden.


Detectives are apt to attach the names
of noted criminals to extraordinary
crimes, and, many years after the events
narrated, rumor was prevalent among
the police of Providence that the MUIR
dered woman had been the wife of an
English burglar named Collins, then liv-
ing in Providence, and celebrated all
over the Union for his success and reck-
lessness. The rumor had no better foun-
dation than that Collins and his wife
disappeared at about the time of the
murder, aud it only lived because theo-
ries always thrive when facts are impos-
sible to obtain.


The case yet remains among unhnish-
ed police busiaoss. No human effort has
over learned more than was discovered
by the brute instincts of the Dig when
he paved the secret of the murder from
the shallow grave in the dark forest.
Year: 1869

SERVING THE LORD WITH INsTRU-
MENTs OF THE DEvfL.-The Burlington
Sentinel is responsible for the following
good story of a prominent lawyer, now
of St. Albans, and who served as Col
onel in the late war: eoaa


at is said that when he first COM
menced the practice of the law he was
fond Of a soeiable game of euchre, and
on one Saturday evening while engaged
with three friends in quiet game, he
was called upon by worthy member of
the church, who requested that he should
attend church on the following day and
read the sermon, as the pastor could not
be present to which he consented, and
on Sabbath day he performed the duties
of his new appointment with credit to
himself and the entire satisfaction of the
audience. But it was soon noised about
the village that while playing cards he
had accepted of request to read the
sermon in church, great offense in the
eyes of maryland it was found neces-
sary for the young lawyer to explain
himself Meeting one of the deacons on
the street, he commenced his explanation,
when the deacon, smiling, said "That
reminds me of certain choir when some
of its members desired to purchase vi
olin, and the subject had to be left to the
elder for decision, who abruptly replied:
A fiddle in the choirl fiddle in the
choir by all means; l wish / could
bring all the instruments of the devil in
to church TO serve the Lordl' 1t is need
less to say that the attorney made no fur
ther explanation"
Year: 1869

cannot tell you II the dead,
That loved us fondly when on earth.
Walk by our side, sit at your hearth,
By ties of old affection led


Or looking earnestly within.
Know all our Joys, hear all our sighs,
And watch us with their holy eyes


Wiener we tread the paths Of sin;
Or If with mystic lore and sign,
They speak to US, or press our hand,
And strive to make US understand
The nearness Of their forms divine.
But this | KNOWN many dreams
They come to me from realms afar,
And leave the golden gates ajar.


Through which immortal glory streams
Year: 1869

A COOP SToRY.-There is magis-
trate in town in Indiana named Hell
ser. A clergyman in the same place was
called upon by a young couple, not long
since, who wished him to join them in
the holy bonds of matrimony. He ask
ed the bridegroom Ga soldier, by the way)
for his marriage license. The man in
blue responded that he had been engag-
ed to the girl four years, and thought
that would do. Clergymanth thought not,
and remarked, as the speediest way to
obtain license, You had better take
your girl and go to Helser." "You 60
to hell yourself r retorted the angry vet
eran. And seizing the bride by the arm,
he dragged her from the house, wonder
ing what manner of profane minister he
had met with.
Year: 1869

CHILDHooD.-Do you ever think how
much work little child does in a day
How, from sunrise to sunset, the dear
little feet patter round-to us-so aim
lessly. Climbing up here, kneeling down
there, running to another place, but new
er still. Twisting and rolling, turning
and reaching and doubling, as if testing
every bone and muscle for future use. 1t
is very curious to watch it; one who does
SO may well understand the deep breath
ing of the rosy little sleeper. as with one
arm tossed over its curly head, it pre-
pares for the next days gymnastics. A
busy creature is little child.
Year: 1869

READ AN Hour DAY.-There was
a lad who at fourteen, was apprenticed to
soap-boiler. One of his resolutions
was to read one hour day. or at least
at that rate, and he timed himself by an
old silver watch left him by his uncle.
He stayed seven years with his master,
he knew as much as the young squire
did. Now let us sec how much time he
had to read in seven years, at the rate
of one hour eat day. 1t would be 2555
hours, which, at the rate of eight read
ing hours per day, would be equal to
319 days; equal to 45 weeks; equal to
IL months years reading.
Year: 1869

A negro danced a jig in a Memphis
bar-room with such vigor as to jar pis-
tol off shelf behind the bar and ex-
plode it. Nobody appeared to be hurt,
until it was found that colored girl,
sitting upright in a chair, was stone dead,
the bullet having gone through her
brain, killing her instantly.
Year: 1869

ing like boom, or rather like the burst
ing OF water pipe, the too quick and
the too slow, the awkwardness, the
clumsy grinding against polished furni.
ture, the endless questions, the wantings
to go somewhere, or to have somebody
come here, oh, what God send children
are to people, who have genius for
fault-fndng, that il, for all mortal crea.
lures! They are so many maternal
safety-valves.


If now one considers the duty which
neighbors owe TO each other, the fact
every man is bishop over bis neighbours
affairs if We consider further, what n
friend owes to friendship, on the blessed
ness Of friendship, that gives one leave
TO deal faithfully with you to open the
north door Of January on you with the
wholesome assurance, "Now You know
that ! am your friend" what pungent
dig man is conscientiously impellcd to
give you when he has been admitted to
the secrets Of your lite; il one considers
all these things, and how can he help it
IT he lives in moral society, he will I've
| duly impressed with the wonderful pro-
vision which Providence with some hu-
man aid) has provided for the exercise Of
this innate, universal tendency to fault
finding.


But are there no exceptions I am
sorry TO say that there are few. There
are persons who weakly judge that good
nature is more refining than faultiinding.
| Spiritless creatures there are who prefer
TO wait on provocatiOn, rather than to
let fly the suitable answer which folly
deserves. have known persons so lost
to self that they really took other peo-
pies part; they even let boys aud girls
romp around them all day without a
single snarl.


We have seen weak anl sunshny ma
lures so nearly demented as to excuse
and palliatc their neighbor's imperfec.
tions. They do seem to promote for a
moment degree OF happiness. But
what becomes Of the art, the duty, the
felicity of fault-tinding.