smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1864

OF all things in which one would look for
sagacity, snake is of the last, yet my story
is OF snake, and wise one. too. Men have
studied them unkindly since the creation,
when the Giver of life pronounced them the
most subtle of all the beasts of the field and
the consequence is that their wisdom and i'm
importance have been greatly overlooked and
derided. Dull and stupid as they apparent.
ly are, yet they far excel, in Intelligence and
something like reason in emergencies, many
animals supposed to be akin to man in the
nobler attributes of physical life, as l shall
prove.


| got interested in the study of serpents
down IN Arkansas, where spent most Of last
year. | don tknow why. but was constant
ly watching them. and constantly testing their
sagacity, by placing them in new situations,
and surrounding them with novel expedients.
Of all kinds. | experimental most with rat
tlesnakes and copperheads.


One afternoon | seated myself on little
knoll in the woods to smoke and read. flor
always had Il book or newspaper with me,)
and had been enjoying myself for some time,
when espied copperhead making for a
hole within ten feet of where sat. Gfcourse
threw down my book and cigar, and pro-
ceeded TO try a new experiment. AS soon as





the hole; tut ] canght his tail, as he got
nearly in, and jerked him some twenty feet
| backward. He threw himself into ceii in
no time, and waited for me to pitch in. But
| concluded to let him try the hole again.
After n while he started for it. stopping
when stirred to coil himself up: but. as I
kept pretty quiet, he recovered confidence,
| and went in. Again jerked him out No
sooner did he touch the ground than he made
| another grand rash for the hole. ia a straight
line for my legs! But that didn't work, for
| got out of the way, and gave him another
fiirt


This time he lay still awhile appearing to
reflect on the course to be taken After a
time he tried it again, though rather slowly
After getting his head little way in, he
stopped, and wiggled his tail as if on purpose
for me TO grab it. | did so and 1aicker
than flash he drew his head out and came
within about quarter of an inch of striking
me in the face. However, Ijerked him quite
a distance, and resolved to look out next time.
Well, he tried the same game again, but it
wouldn's work; | was too quick for him.


This time he lay in coil perhaps without
stirring. At last. however, he tried it once
more. He advanced to within five feet of the
hole very slowly, coiled again, and then, by
Heavens! he got the start of me by one of
the cutest tricks you ever heard of


Low was it?" we all exclaimed, in q
breath.


Why. said the narrator, sinking his voice
to the acme of solemnity, and looking as hon.
est and sober as man could look, g why, he
just turned his head toward nay hand, and
~ent dozen that hole tail first! | saw the ras-
calls eyes twinkle as he did it, too, as saSch
as to say. What DO you think of that, shT
and since then have believed that snakes
have souls ~
Year: 1864

LADY kIsslNG.-A lady writing to an
Eastern paper says:


Among the lesser evils of life kissing is ne
Of the disagreeables. Two ladies meet, kiss,
and are having a nice chat; in GENES third
lady in haste. warm kissing. chats few
minutes, more kissing she leaves First and
second ladies regretting so short stay with
them. Third lady is gone but not forgotten.
First lady. I'm so glad to be rid of such a
nuisance, and always glad whez she is gone. !"
Second lady. . never did like her; what an
abominable breath always smells like on
ions" The number thirds pecnliarities and
character are dissected in manner that
would do credit to an anatomist. A kiss be-
tween mother and daughter. brother and
sister. is chaste and sacred emblem of true
friendship, also kiss between two real
friends. Such kisses like, but to kiss lips
that you know have been stained By false
hood or gossip is very revolving to my feel
ings, and such lips are kissed daily in the
present silly fashion. Lips kiss you that
would curse you. if swearing was fashionable
among ladies. | haEe been trying to save my
kisses for my husband, if providence and the
war ever intend that / shall have one. which
| think is extremely doubtful. as aul begin
ming to fear that such a thing has never been
born. Wish men would get to kissing when
they meet, so as to disgust us as much as we
have disguised them.
Year: 1864

The AMERICAN EAGLE.-The following in
ciden: is related in recent lecture by A. L.
Stone, pastor of the Park street Church, Bos.
ton:


In the early part of the gar. there stood
on Shackleford Island. high dag staff, from
which foated the national banner. Ofcourse
the secessonists soon tore it down. But there
still surmounted the national eagle. This
was too loyal for the traitors. and after time
they succeeded in getting it down. or break
ing it off. Their work was hardly finished
when 10 the air quivered with rush of
lordy wings and a majestic eagle swept down
and lighted on the staff. In few minutes
the marksmen sent bullet after bullet at the
royal bird. In vain. His piercing eye look
ed at them defiant; he rose, circled round Q
few feet, and settled again on his perch. At
length, struck with awe, they ceased to fire,
and soon the imperial bird. soaring bun
dred feet higher, lighted on the top of lofty
pine The simbol Of liberty may be desscra-
ted and profaned liberty itself may be the
target of treason arm, but above the smoke,
and the din, the strife and hate, she will soar
unharmed with a broader sweep, and up to a
lordlier height in the serene blue of heaven,
Year: 1864

MlsEGIEs OF WORKING GIRLs.-A New
York letter says:


" The late movement in regard to the in
crease OF working woman's wages has brought
some very terrible things to light. One poor
girl has been living for months on dry bread
and salt Two others bring story which re-
fleets no credit on our police force. Cut of
from society and homeless, they applied at
station house for lodging. which is supplied
to homeless wanderers nightly. The Sleep
ing places are all full, but policeman in.
formed them that he would allow them a
place to rest. They accompanied him to a
dweliing in-street. where, according to their
statement, he told them they would find COM
Portable quarters. The girls put perfect faith
in his advice, and would have remained un-
der the roof to which he conducted them had
not the mistress of the place, whom the girls
describe as an old woman dressed in velvet
and covered with jewelry. herself met them
at the door. warned them that it was house
of dsrepute and bid them depart unless they
desired to lead life of infamy, The giris,
being virtuous, FED at once, and sat up all
night before the IRE in the public room ofths
station house, whence they were directed iR
the NOR. ing, by some good Samaritan to the
rooms of the Protective Society. where they
were cared for. Such stories reach the ears
of the Directress of the Society every day."
Year: 1864

A BABE not old enough to speak or walk,
was creeping on the floor. By and by bright
ray Of sunshine fell upon the carpet. Baby
saw it and crept towards the dazzling object.
She looked at it and crept all around it, with
the greatest interest in her sweet face, and
then putting down her little lips she kissed
it. Was not that beautiful The bright
little sunbeam lighted MP joy in her baby
heart, and she expressed that joy With sweet
kiss.
Year: 1864

ATTEMPT TO MUk0ER.-- Cargle Wal!ece Of this
couaty, was lodged in jail fe| days slnce under The
henous charge of attempting TO muEdec bis wife 1t
that he had formed his plan AID set the troe for
executing it, AID communicated it to one of his negroes
whom he thought he could trust, promising him hig
freedom if he would assist him in tie deed The negro
assented very readily, and nothing was wanting save
tie time set to srriYe IL the meantime Cu.e Inform
ed his mistress of his desgn and couple Of the neigh
bors They told her to keep quiet and not suffer any
alarm Whatever they would be there in time to pre-
vent him executing his dcsgn.


On the arrival OF the night which the black deed
was TO be performed he bad large tub OF water ta
Ken into room and called hia wife to come in. She
promptly obeyed and as soon as she entered the room
be sezsd her, commenced choking her violently and for
cling her head into the tub of water At this uncture
Year: 1864

led the art Of paying compliments, even 10
women; but if l were to say ell that the


poets have said in her praise since the be-
ginning sf the world, a just expression res
pecting their conduct during this war would
require the elimination Of something new.
In conclusion I would ssy, God bIess the
Year: 1864

DIR. hoBAcKs STOMACH BIrTERs.-Wc profess
to have more than 9 superfcs. knowledge of the
healing art, and while fully prepared to ad-
nit that humbug is but another word for imposi
ton, and, therefore. do not allow any advertise
ment or notice to appear in our paper that has the
least tendency to corrupt the human mind, we are
always glad to recommend what we believe to be 8
real boon to society, and having made an expert
mental use of DR.. Qoback's Stomach Bitters, we
bear our testimony to their real, genuine and very
beneficial use. DR.. RS btters far surpass any
preparation of the kind we have ever used; and we
urge all who need mild, safe, and most agreeable
tonic, to try this medicine at If you try it
you win be to try it again 1t is just
the thing for the stomach in hot weather. Eaton
(0hiol Democrat, of May so, '6l.


See advertisement. seS
Year: 1864

AS proofs OF hoiy wrlt


So he soon fancied that he had proofs of his
wife, love for another, ana he determined
TO put her out of the way Of bewtching other
men and humilitating him Sitting in the
parlor with her, on Sunday, after bis return
from church, he drew revolver and dis
charged three balls deliberately at her head.
He was evidently a very poor shot. though.
One ball passed through her left arm; one
grazed her ri ght eye: one made hole in
the wall. Not a bullet did its fatal work
But the shots so alarmed the woman that she
fell to the floor, as if killed. and her husband.
believing the whole thing over, went to the
nearest station house and gave himself up to
Justice. | suppose that, by this time, he has
discovered all las suspicious about his wife,
who is said to be rs good as she is handsome
to be without foundation and is bitterly
grieyed at his own insane conduct Men
will act in this manner, sometimes-N T.
Cor. Cal.
Year: 1864

Pennsylvania stands by the Union


The reports from the Keystone State,
shows that the election is going about as it
did last fall This win give the Union
ticket from fifteen to twenty thousand
majority. Philadelphia goes overwhelming
" Union. Hurrah for the Keystone State.
Year: 1864

When company of returned soldiers get
together they generally have a rough, jolly
time. A female Of some note, though of
not very high pretensions, but supplying tAc
latter defect, as far as possible, with lavish
virulence, was the posessor Of rebel pic
ture gallery, in which centered all her de-
light. The gallery, albeit, contained only
one picture, but that was ALI pha and Omega
for it was no less parsonage than the great
jeff. A sodier--so the story runs-was
invited by the proprietress to view this speci
men Of the fine arts but as soon as his mar
tial eve fell upon the portrait of the great
arch traitor, in place of it awakening those
pleasurable sensations, said to be felt by
bosoms Of the children of treason, it aroused
all that wild excitement which the mastitf is
supposed to experience when he catches a
glimpse Of his own visage in mirror The
treasured picture was seized. torn from its
niche, borne into the street. and torn and
dashed into a thousand pieces.
Year: 1864

To Hon. E. EyJert, Judge Of 1IM Jmli.


cial District. 'a'


Sir: Having confidence in your ability
and integrity in the administration of the
office You now hold, as Judge OF the Court
Of Common Pleas Of the l7,h Judicial
District of this State. and behaving it to
be the interest of the community to with
draw as far as possible from the election
Of the Judiciary oil questions ofs partisan
character. the undersigned Members Of the
Bar in the District would suggest the pro-
Frieiy Of avoiding the call Of any Judicial
Convention in this District and request
you to submit your name for the suffrages
Of the people OF the District for the Judge
ship as candidate without reference TO q
party nominations:


We are your obcdient Sc wants.
Year: 1864

sE We surrender ali our available space
THE morning on the second page OF the pa
per. to the publication OF the expose of the
secret workings OF the Order of the Sons OF
Liberty, by Green b Smith of st. Louis.
We do this TO CRAFTY great many o'our rea-
ders who have not vet had the privilege OF
reading the exposition. and who desire t. do
so. but have been unable to obtain papers
containing IT, Several old Democrats at
one place requested us to furnish them with
copies which we do with pleasure. They sie
beginning to see whittier they have been
lead by unpriocipled demagogues. and are
now about to rotrace their steps and abandon
don the fatal experiment Of trying to assis,
JEFF Davis 10 destroying tn" Government
Year: 1864

WASHINGTON, Angus S.--A letter from the
Army of the Potomac, dated Saturday evening,
says:-It is not generally believed that the pur-
pose Of the enemy on Friday was TO blow up
fort in front OF the 9Th Corps, but that their de-
sign was to damage mine, which they suspected
was being dug in front of the 18th Corps.


Certain it is that there was an explosion, what
ever may have been the object of it. Our men
were considerably startled, and every one rushed
to his post, when rapid fire commenced from
our line in the direction the enemy were sup
posed to be advancing.


AS soon as tue smoke cleared away, the true
state of affairs was discovered and the firing at
once ceased.


A stray ball struck Colonel Steadman, COM
manding the I'd Brigade of the ID Division, 18th
Corps, which soon after resulted in his death. He
was gallant officer, and his services were highly
appreciated.


A party of fifty deserters started to come into
our lines yesterday morning at An early hour,
WHEN our gunboats, not knowing their intention,
opened fire on them, killing and wounding abous
twenty of them. Nine of them arrived at head
quarters on Saturday morning-some of them
wounded.


They represent the "Confederacy" as being in
a bad way on account of the state of affairs at
Atlanta, and tell how their army was fright
ened on the previous Saturday, when the
mine was sprung-all leaving tlfeir guns,
aud running back some distance, iear-
ing other explosions were going TO occur along
the lines; but they soon regained confidence and
fell back into their former position in time to
meet the attack, which they say was more than
an hour and half after the explosion.


These deserters say the reason why the SOL
diers do not exchange newspapers is that they
are ordered not to do SO but this would be Of no
effect fthey could afford to buy them-the price
being forty cents piece. They have not been
paid Off for a long time.


Very little firing took place on Saturday.
Year: 1864

HARRISBURG, August S.-The Rebels are now
In Virginia. Governor Curtin Is busily engaged
upon his message to the Legislature.


A secret agent of the State Government has
Just returned and reports that all the bridges on
the turnpike are repaired between Hancock and
Cumberland


lhe railroad between those points is not much
injured. He followed the Rebels during the
raid he estimated their force at thirty thousand,
with five thousand cavalry and thirty pieces Of
artillery.


He thinks that the invasion of the State by a
large force is contemplated by the Rebels at a
very early date. In the valley he passed him
self off as a Rebel, and was kindly treated by the
the residents
Year: 1864

LOUISVILLE, August 1.-THE Common Council
of this city by request the military authorities
will furnish four hundred men tomorrow Mon
day. to throw up Notifications for the defense Of
the city against possible contingencies.
Year: 1864

man who has filed his intention to reempt
under the Act of lS4l, either BEFORE or SINCE the
passage of the Homestead Act, has the right to a
Railroads, provided he settled before. and filed
within the 80 days allowed him to file after, the
Withdrawal. If the settler filed after the with
drawal, he will be confined to so acres, and that
out of an even numbered Section. All the even
numbered Sections not occupied are still Govern
ment land while the title to the odd numbered
Sections for fifteen miles on each side of the line
of each road rests in the Railroad companies
And any settler living on an odd numbered Sec
tion who fails to prove up and pay for his
Homestead or Presumption within his legal year
AFTER settling, the title to his tract passes to the
Railroad company. If the tract has never been
offered at Public Sale, he will not lose his right
till the sale or the restoration of the land to
market. But the settler should not defer his
entry an horr beyond his necessities. as there
are so many laws and rulings being made on
each line of road that he may get his right for
feited before he is aware, A man may transfer
with quit claim deed properly made, his i'm
provement to his neighbor, but he cannot trans
fer his right to the land.


He can leave his tract and let it fall back to the
Government, and take another, but he will lose
the purchase money he paid. Prior rights exist
ing on tracts of land must be disposed Of either
by quit-claim deed or by taking out proper no.
tices from the local office to the party on the
land.


In general We would say to all settlers, look
up your rights as soon as possible. ere your home
slips from you by being forfeited.
Year: 1864

the overthrow Of error snd the establishment of
right, and believing that to ABeAHAx LINCOLN
more than to any other man we stand indebted
for the cheering prospects. we do therefore de-
clare, lst. That without conditions, We do en-
dorse ABRAHAM LINCOLN, rs President of the
United States. and do declare ourselyes in favor
of his re- nomination and reelection. I'd, That
we hereby tender our earnest gratitude. first to
our own Kansas soldiers, and second to the
Union arms every where"


We cheerfully subscribe to the choice they
have made, believing that the interests Of the
Nation demand the retention of the present
Executive in power. There is not the least dan
ger of a man being chosen, who possesses prin-
ciples contrary to those which are now leading
the Nation to peace, and we therefore deem it
unwise to trust the keeping and advancement of
those principles and the Nation to untried hands
Judging by the wisdom which has characterised
ABRAHAM LISCoLxs entire Presidential career,
We believe him to be as absolutely necessary to
the squelching of the rebellion as is the army
and a united people; aud his sagacious and far
seeing craftsmanship would indicate him to be
the man to guide the Ship of State through the
shoals of Reconstruction, leaving it fast to the
eternal rock of Universal Freedom. Until this
is accomplished we have use for the man.
Year: 1864




In the Senate of the United States, a
message was received from the President in
answer to the inquiry relative to the alleged
exceptional treatment Of Kansas prisoners
by the rebels-transmitting letters from,
the Secretary to the Commander-in Chief
Of the army and the Commissary General
of prisoners. Gen. Halleck says: I have
no information that the volunteers from
Kansas who were taken prisoners of war
have been treated by the enemy any diff
ferent than the volunteers from any other
State. He also states that the General in
command of the Department of which
Kansas forms part knows of no distinc.
ton between Kansas and other prisoners.


The Commissary General Of prisoners
says there is nothing in the Records Of this
Office to show the manner in which the
dead and wounded have been treated on the
battle field by the rebels; nor is there any
thing to show that Kansas volunteers have
been put 20 death on being taken prisoners.
Only So enlisted men of Kansas regiments
can be found on the Record as having been
delivered on parole by the enemy.
Year: 1864

Joe Harris was whole soued, merry fel
low, and fond of glass. After living in New
| Orleans for many years, he came to the con
clusion of visiting an old uncle, away up in
Massachusetts, whom he had not seen for
many years. Now there is difference be
tween New Orleans and Massa chusetts, in
regard to the use of ardent spirits. and when
Joe arrived there, be found all the people
| around about temperance, he felt bad, thiak
ing with the old song, that, ''keeping the
the spirits up, by pouring the spirits down."
was one of the best way to make time pass,
and began to feal indeed that he was in a
pickle. But on the morning of bis arrival,
the old man and his sons being out at work,
his aunt came to him and said:


"You have been living in the South, and no
doubt are in the habit of taking little some
thing to drink about eleven O'Clock. Now i
keep little here, for medicinal purposes,
but let no one know it, as my husband wants
to set the children good example,"


Joe promised, and thinking he would get
no more that day, took, as he expressed it, q
"buster." After he had walked out to the
stable who should be meet but his uncle.


"Wcll Joe," said he, 81 expect you are
accustomed to drink something in New Or
leans, but you will find US all temperate here
and Tor the sake of my sons, don't let them
know that have brandy about but / just
keep little out here for Rheumatism. VIII





you accept little 2"


Joe signifed his readiness, and took an
other big horn. Then continuing his walk
he came to where the boys were mauling rails
After convcrsing awhile. one Of the cousins
said: aH


"Joe, expect you would like to have
drink, and as the old folks are down on liquor
we keep some out here 10 help Us work"


Out came the bottle, and down they sat,
and he says that by the time he went home
to dinner he was as tight as he could well be,
and all came from visiting temperance fam
iLy.
Year: 1864


1t is great mistake to set up our own
standard of right and wrong, and judge peo-
pie accordingly.


To measure the enjoyments of others by
our own.


To expect uniformity of opinion in this
world.


To look for judgment and experience in
youth.


To endeavor to mould all dispositions
alike.


Not to yield in immateral tIihss.
To look for perfection in our actions.
10 worry ourselves and others with what
cannot be remed ed.


Not to alleviate all that needle aleVation as
far as lies in our power.
Not to make allowances for the infrmatios
of others.


To consider every thing impossible that we
cannot perform.


To believe only what our finite minds car
grasp.


To expect to be able to understand every
thing.


The greatest Of all mistake is to live only
or Time, and that when any moment may
aunch us into eternity.
Year: 1864

! How TO HAVE PURE CIsTERNs.-Th spring
my clstern got quite filthy,and great many
angleworms in it and could scarce ly use the
water. procured a coeple' of live gsh and
put them in the cistern, aud since that time
it has been free from worms and dirt and
smell The fish will live and grow finely.