smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

LETTER FROM MARY IlowITr - West Hill
Lodge, Highgdte, Loadoa-Genlemen | have
great pleasure in bearing my testimony to the
value OF your sewing machine, which l can do
conscienuously. To say that it is wonderful
invention is saying little, for there are many
wonderful inventions nowadays but this |
can aver, that it rs the realization OF all our
imaginings of household fairies AMI good hard
working brownies that ask for no payment.
1t is an ever ready, ever capable friend in
need one who never wcaries, never loses its
eyesight over the most delicate work, nor ever
in tact, can be overworked. Ii a son be going
suddenly % the Antpodes, or daughter to
be married, or if your benevolence longs in
the cold windy weather to clothe the poor in
warm garments, you nee not hesitate as to
shall do this sudden accumu alton of needle.
work. There stands the good genius of your
household, with silver arms extended, and her
ever threaded needle ready, to do your bid.
ding. Sit then down beside her, converse
pleasantly with her, lay your hand decately
upon the outspread work before her, an like
a dream of enchautment the exquisite work
will pass under your eye completed.


Such has been the experience in our family.
Need | say more? Yes, must answer the
warm rrmonstrance on behalf Of the poor nee
dle-w0man who might otherwise have profited
by all this necessary work. What is to be.
come of them it the fairy of the sewing ma
chine is to do all Ms work, as by magic
BE not alarmed, kind hearted philanthropist,
for that which is in itself good, can never u i
mately produce evil 1t is the sewing machine
which will compel our senators and pilan-
thropst to consider seriously the case of our
sisters OF the needles, and to legslate wisely
tor them 1t is the sewing machine which will
IN the end, emancipae miserable women from
the slavery OF 'gusset and band, which will
open to them wise and safe paths of emigra-
ton. which will convey away thousands of
blameless, suffering women into new lands,
and for new homes of peace and plenty, where
woman's time will be valuable, and where,
consequently, the sewing machine will be
gain household blessing, household neces-
sity. am, gentlemen, Yours very sincerely,


MARY H0Vfifliso1ii..
Year: 1861

and Attempts Suicide.


An affair occurred in South Boston, on
Wednesday afternoon, which came near ter
minating fatally to two persons, one of
whom is yet in imminent danger. Albert
Dittmer, young man about twenty years of
age, was some months since paying atten-
tions TO Margaret Pedre, fine-looking girl,
not quite sixteen years old who has been
officiating as housekeeper for her father.


For some reason she discarded him, and
since that time he has been endeavoring in
vain to obtain a renewal of the friendly rela-
tions between them. On wednesday he
went to the house and saw her, in the pres
ence of her father. At the close of the inter-
view he said he had something he wished to
give her, and which be wanted to deliver
with no one else present.


He then went into an adjoining room, and
with some reluctance she followed him. AS
soon aRshe entered the room and closed the
door, he drew double-barreled pistol, and
placing it against her neck, discharged one
of the barrels. - tNt


The father of the girl was close by the
door, and ran into the room and wrenched
the pistol from Dittmer, who was apparently
about to discharge the contents of the other
barrel into his own person. Dittmer then
rushed out of the house, and running across
the street jumped into the water, then
about Eve feet and half deep with the in
tention of drowning himself. Several per-
sons saw him, one Of whom jumped in and
held his head above water till he could get
out. ..... ....r


The parties are both Germans In a con-
versation this morning, Dittmer said he had
been in this country about two years. and
had owned the pistol some time; that he
loaded it to kill himself and the girl, but
that it went off sooner than he intended
that he was about to put the pistol into his
mouth to blow out his own brains when il
was taken from him.


Dittmer was arrested and is now in Jail,
and his unfortunate mistress is not expected
to recover. t -. -
Year: 1861

A WOMAN DEVOTED TO ART.-Helman
Hunts celebrated picture, "The Finding OF
the Savior in the Temple" was nearly de
stroyed by fire not long ago. The drapery
by which it was surrounded, at the exhibit
ton of the work, caught fire from the gas
lights, and the picture was in imminent
danger. A lady among the visitors threw 8
costly India shawl to her attendant, who
with it managed to put out the fire and save
the picture Mr.. Hunt and the insurance
company in which the picture was insured
have in vain endeavored to find out the lady
whose magnanimous act saved a'work of art
which cost five years labor. The company
wish to replace the costly shawl, which was
of course ruined. ,.
Year: 1861

CURIOUS PIECE OF MAHoGANY.-A timber
broker in London has piece of mahogany,
which is great curiosity, being portion Of
a tree which has grown in a perfectly fiat
state. 1t is about six inches thiJk, and is 4Ol
inches in circumference. The suppOsition is
that the tree has taken root in a 6ssure be.
tween the rocks, and preserved its hatness
in its growth upward. On both sides of the
piece the bark may still be seen. The only
use it can be turned to will be a table top.
and the cost is said to be forty guineas.
Year: 1861

HORRIBLE BRUTALITY TO A SERvANT.-The
Europeaa Times gives an account of girl at
Kidminster, who was terribly abused by
her ''master and mistress.p They stinted
her food, horse whipped her, beat her with a
buckle. strap, and repeatedly struck her with
the black-lead brush. Kicking was an every
day occurrence. When the girl returned to
the work. house she was in wretched state (;
there was large hole in her head, and in
nlaces the hair had been torn off.
Year: 1861

The ADVANTAGE OF PERsEYERAECE,-N
element is more essential to success than a
system of habitual perseverance. Many a
noble enterprise fails, just at the point of
success through want of perseverance
against obstacles. Trust not to others the
more difficult efforts in your enterprise; put
your own shoulder to the wheel, and increase
your efforts as the obstacles augment and
accumulate Determine to overcome, and
the victory Is already won.
Year: 1861

PRETTY INCIDENT IN THE SoUTH.-0n the
occasion of the illumination at New Orleans
on the passage of the Louisiana Ordinance of
Secession, q lady who was for the Union re-
fused to allow the proprietor Of the st.
Charles Hotel to light up her room, which
faced on the street. When evening came
she had arranged the stars and stripes at her
window, and the lights in the other win
dows served to reveal that ensign in the
center of the hotel illuminated in honor of
its overthrow. The effect was to give the
impression that the whole house was thus
paying homage to the American flag
Year: 1861

SUICIDE OF AN AoTRKss FOR LOVE OF A
PRiEsT.--A young and beautiful actress in
Milan lately fell in love with priest and
told him at the confessional the secret of her
heart. He recommended eontritiou for the
''mortal sin" and poor Rachel drank arsenic
Year: 1861

i BEAUTIFUL REFLECTIoS.-Bulwer says:
~ cannot believe that earth is mans abid-
ing place. 1t can't be that our life is cast


up by the ocean of eternity to float upon
its wave and then sink into nothingness !


Else why is it that the glorious aspirations,
which leap like angels from the temple o.
our hearts, are forever wandering about,
unsatsfed? -? Why is it that the rainbow
and clouds come over US, with beauty
that is not of earth and then vanish, leav-
ing us 10 muse upon their faded loneliness


Why is it that the stars who hold their fes :
tival around the midnight throne, are set
far above the grasp of our limited faculties,


forever mocking US with their unapproach-
able glory! And, finally why is it that tn e
bright forms of human beauty are present.
ed to our view, and then taken from us,
leaving the thousand streams of our affec-
tions TO flow back in Alpine torrents upon
our hearts? We are born for higher des-
tiny than that of earth. There is q realm
that never fades-where the stars will be
spread oat before US like islands that slum-
on the ocean, and where the be ings that


here pass before US like shadows will stay
in our presence forever T.
Year: 1861

SOMETHING CoNvESIEyr.-The Postmas-
ter General has issued orders for supply
of letter paper, to be cut, gummed, and
embossed, with three cent postage stamp,
combining in one both letter-sheet and en-
velope. This sheet will be about half the
size of an old fashioned letter paper, so
folded and cut as to furnish a neat and
convenient prepaid letter of only about
half the weight of those now in use with
an envelope. Orders have also been sent
for similar sheets, letter size. The use O.:
envelopes has often been objected to by
legal gentlemen, as the post Office stamp is
the only conclusive evidence of the time
when letter may ha We been mailed. There
can be but little doubt that the new system
will almost entirely supercede the old so
far as business letters are concerned.
Year: 1861

Among some of the South Sea Islanders the
compound word for hope is beautifully express
sive. 1t is manaoloao;Nor the swimming thought
faith floating and keeping its head above the
water, when all the waves and pillows are going
over one.
Year: 1861

THE LITTLE ONEs.-Do you ever think
how much work a child does in a dav ?
How, from sunrise to sunset, the dear Ii tile
feet patter round-to us, so aimlessly
Climbing up here, kneelng down there
running to another place, but never still.
Twisting and turning, rolling, reaching and
doubling, as if testing every bone and mus
Gle for future use. 1t is very curious to
watch it. One who does so may well un-
.derstand the deep breathing of the rosy
little sleeper, as, with one arm tossed over
its curly head, it prepares for the next days
gymnastics. TireesS through the day till
that time comes, as the maternal love that
so patiently accommodates itself, hour
after hour, to its thousand wants and ca
prices, real or fancied. A busy thing is Il
little child to be looked upon with awe as
well as delight, as its clear eye looks trust
ingly into faces that to God and man have
essayed to wear a mask. As it sits down
in its little chair to ponder precociously
over the white lie you thought it funny -
to tell it. AS rising and leaning on your
knees, it says, thoughtfully, in tone that
should provoke tear, not a smile" If |
don't believe it," a lovely and yet fear
full thing is that little child.
Year: 1861

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN My heart is filled on the present occasion, with feelings that my tongue can never express. How can l give utterance to my feelings, when l look around me and behold my friends and neigh bors, perhaps for the last time, assembled for the purpose of bidding fal eve Il to fathers, brothers and husbands, who are in the act of leaving for the bloody battle field, to offer

 their lives in defense of our long cherished

 liberties and institutions that were won by the

 blood of our fathers. Though while on the

 battle field death shots may fall around us as

 thick as hail, and we ''be exposed to the solid

 sheets of liquid death,' we will prove our

 selves worthy of the boon of liberty bequeath-

 ed to us by onr fathers. We feel deeply the an- guish of your hearts, that is occasioned by our

 leaving. The great trial with me sfully real ized in separating from my wife and children.

 May God grant my return, when the dark clouds of war are driven away by the propi- tious winds of heaven, to find them living to welcome my return. Miss D. Whitney, ac- cept the beautiful banner that you have pre- ecHeeu eooH Coupdny III DeuaI or the lddleS of West Point. Language is inadequate 10 express our high appreciation of this special testimonial of your regard. l present to you the thanks of our company for this manifesto tion of esteem for the West Point Rifles La dies we bid you farewell. We are going to our Northern borders to battle for the rights and sacred honor of the fair and lovely daugh- ters of our sunny South. If the enemy cross the line and invade your homes ''they will have to walk over our dead bodies.o And while contending for our cherished rights we will plant this flag triumphantly on our soil or find grave beneath its verdant sod. And while battling for our rights under this ban ner, we will call to mind the donrs of this beautiful gift, who are far away from us, like angels of mercy, sending up their warm pray CTS for our success. Again ladies, we bid you farewell, hoping God will protect you at home while we defend you abroad.
Year: 1861

THE THEATRICAL ScoUNEREL--WHY HE RESIGNED The military career of this gen tleman, Bernstein, is about being brought to a close In public declaration he states that on the 21st he takes his leave of the army His age and his infrmities, and the fact that three months of active duty in the volunteers has cut off two years of his life, are assigned as reasons why he may be excused from fur ther service. Better reasons than these might be produced He knew that he could not get regiment to serve under him for three years. He knew that he had tried it. He knew that his regiment, when questioned revolted, and refused to have anything to do with him He knew that they had no confidence in him, and that the merest accident enabled him to get to Jefferson as military ccmmander.-[St Louis Republican.
Year: 1861

Senator Wilson has given notice that he will introduce the following bills immediately:

 bill to ratify and confrm certain acts of the President for the suppression of insurrec- tion and rebellion.

 A bill to authorize the employment of vol- unteers to aid in enforcing the laws and protec- ting the public property

 A bill toincrease the present military es- tabishment of the United States. ls

 A bill providing for the better organization of the military establishment.

 A bill to promote the efficiency of the ar my.

 A bill for the organization of volunteer military force to be called the National Guard of the United State.

 The titles of these bills sound strange in Republic, based upon the sublime principles of the Declaration of Independence. M
Year: 1861

WASHINGTON, MATCH ~, 1901.


By intelligence received here to-day from Montgomery,
it appears that the nationality Is rapidly approx


mating to substantial and permanent government Hav-
Ing the exper and wisdom of government for his
guide President Davis has put the whole machinery in
successful operation and in less than month"; says one
Of his Cabinet, writing to friend here eve shall be in
fun tide of success We have already inaugurated an
elaborate policy, and will have in the field before the
first of April over fifty thousand well disci-
pinned soldiers, commanded by able and expe
renced officers, most Of whom belonged TO the
United States Army. We have intelligence also
to the effect that at the moment there is q
clash Of arms between the sections. noble army will
be largely swelled by botn officers and regulars" The
black republicans he says appears to be good deal ex
ercised TO how to raise sufficient revenue TO
support our government. They will learn in good time
system plan is already matured which will be ample
TO carry government, even in time Of war. We
have several propositions before looking to direct
trade with Europe European capitalists ready and
willing to embark in such undertaking. They have
not made this move without consulting their govern
ments Lncolns inaugural s regarded declaration Of
war; and preparing to meet IL. We expect that
the commission in Washington, for the purpose Of
negotiating the public property within limits, will
prove failure. The language Of the inaugural fully
settles that matter unless Lincoln backs down. The first
clash of will probably take place in Charleston
harbor
Year: 1861

policy which this administration could pursue would be
abandon these two FORTS They the only bone Of
contention. These out Of the way, the administration
would have plain sailing for several months.


Several republican Senator'S quoted tonight In sup
port Of the policy of removing tn troops rom Fort sum-
ter They have repeatedly stated to-day that such win
be the course Of the President Several leading demo-
Gratis from the South have discussed the report tonight
and do not hesitate to say that II 1t ia done IL will be
master stroke Of policy and win do to bring peace
the country pac the border slave States and remove
the impression the cotoa and ether slave States that
the republicans intend 10 be overbearng and aggressive
than anything else that can be done.
Year: 1861

wAsHNGroS, March 10, 1851.


Political circles were fevershy excited to-day by q
report that the evacuation Of Forts Sumter and Pckens
had been determined upon in the Cabinet meeting last
night. Although nobody could give any positive au-
thorty for this exciting fever Of yet obtained
general currency and eagerly discussed at all the
hotels. At the Washington House sort Of in
formal Indignation meeting Of Western politicians
was held this afternoon, and the presumed backing
down Of the republican administration commented
upon in anything but complimentary terms.
am able, however, to state positively that no
such conclusion has been arrived at by the new
yagie 1t s that the subject Of reinforcing the
forts largely occupied the attention Of the President
and his constitutional advisers and that In the face of the
opinion OF General Scott and other authorities that In the
present status of the military forces Of the government
reinforcement Is impraccabe the question Of abandon
ent has been raised but the President and the Cabinet
that the eyes Of their party they in honor
and duty bound TO hold the posts, and that any other
line of policy would raise overwhelming storm of in
dtgnation among their supportershence, even II they
favored evacuation which the President and the ma
ory Of the Cabinet do not at present. they could not act
accordingly owing to the desires and expectations Of
their party.
Year: 1861

The resolution explanatory Of the tariff which became


law the hrst day Of the session strikes out three
clauses sentences from the Tariff act which have
already printed, ~ follows


L. strike out In the list Of articles exempt from duty
hair Of the goat alpaca and other animals unmanufac-
tured the value whereof at the last port place from
whence exported 70 the United States shall be eighteen
cents or under per pound


Strike out section "a In these Words" And be II
further enacted that all goods, and merchandise
which may be in the public stores the day and year
Aforesaid shall be subject other duty upon tho entry
thereof than II the same were imported respectively
aster that day 4"


"a Strike out, in section l3 these words-"On woolen
eawls shawis Of which shall bo the chief compo
nent MATERIAL duty Of sixteen cents per pound, and in
addition thereto twenty per cent ad valorem.n


These clauses become necessary TO give consistency
The act
Year: 1861

We have but little Improvement TO note the condi.
tion Of the streets Broadway has, usual been kept
passably clean Part Of Nassau street has been once
swept, but fast relapsing into s original dirt Fulton
street, and the open places about South Fulton the
Williamsburg and Hoboken ferries have been cleaned but
dishgured with heaps Of mud which easily be
moved. The streets about tho ferries however and the
streets generally full Of heaps and puddles


mud. Tho may be said Of the streets iniersecting
Broadway, Grand street and the BoSery and up town,
though the thoroughfares there are never 80 filthy as
Roosevelt and other down pet they are bad
enough in oil conscience Mr.. Hacklsy has done some-
thing, but as this slow rate shall have clean
city. The public have suffered long enough and can be
contented no longer with few clean show streets white
the rest Of the city Is left in the mud The damage done
by the dust during the few days preceding the Of Sat


urday would amost have paid Mr.. Hnckey his S279 0O0
and we may reasonably expect Of these dust
which make our city look like the Sahara during a
smoom. This is not what theTpeople want. They say
that they can see improvements YET and that our
contractor will do better than his predecessors
There must be some truth in such general complaints
Let us have the forces concentrated and entire ward
cleaned and kept clean whiio other wards are being
worked upon. That IL what people wish, and Mr..
Hackley has had time enough to arrange his forces


the public generally have conception Of the amount Of


labor necessary 70 cleanse properly the which
have been lett 80 many years uuswept. Something
should be done speedily and effectively Tho question
now 10 with the people whether Mr. Hackey 20 be the
Hercules the IAID styles him, whether he Ia TO fol-
s27s ot0, keep Broadway reasonably clean and let the
remainder Of the streets go utcare1 Tor. The people
have had dust In their eyes hing that they intend
keeping sharp watch upon Hercules.
Year: 1861

The New York spectators are again
at work. y letter from hat city says:


very active speculative movement in
coffee and tea, has been in progress ior
some time past, the effect OF which has
been TO run up the prices of these almost
necessaries of life to Il figure which places
them quite beyond the reach of those who
have the most need Of thcm-the Door
In anticipation of the increased duty 10
which these commodities will soon be
subject, the spectators have bought or
are buying up and placing in store the
surplus stock on hand, in expectation Of
commanding their own prices for them
Even now the commouest qualities of
brown sugar cannot be purchased at retail
less than twelve and a half cents per
pound, which is an increase of one hund-
rcd per cent upon prices current for the
same quality It month ago. The advances
on coffee and tea i not 50 enormous, but
it is sufficient to limit consumption 10 a
very parcep,ible extent. and TO make the
working classes realize the necessity OF
abandoning their use. The moderate tax
imposed by the Government upon these
articles will be borne in the same patriotic
spirit of seltsacrificc which has character
lied our people from the beginning OF the
war. but it is questionable whether as
much can be sal! in regard to the specu-
lators who are thus taking advantage of
the necessities of Government TO add 10
the burthens of the public for the pur-
pose OF enrching themselves.
Year: 1861

Barnum has been sold! A lew days
since a countryman appeared at the Mu-
scum, and upon admission to the manager,
declared he had great natural curiosity,
no less than cherry y-colored cat Bar
mum has seen cats many, but never a
cherry colored one, and speedily paid SO
came the countryman and bag, out of
which he produced cat of the color of a
black cherry Barnum was sold, and re.
lates the joke with great gusto.
Year: 1861

Some of our volunteer officers show
their un!itneSs to command by keeping
aloof from their men, instead of setting
them the example OF manliness in toll
and endurance The following incident
is in point


During the American Revolution, it is
said, the commander of little squad was
giving orders TO those under him, relative
to log of timber which they were en-
deavoring to raise up 10 the top Of some
military works they were repairing. The
timber went up with difficulty, and on
this account the voice OF the little man
was often heard, i'll regular vociferetons
of" lieave away! there she goes heave
ho" An officer, not in military costume,
was passing, and asked the commander
WHY he did not take hold aud render a
/ little aid. The latter, astonished turning 2
round with all the pomp of an Emperor,
said Sir. am corporal ou are,
sire YOU p replied the officer: . was not
aware of that and taking oil his hat
and bowing the officer said, i ask your
pardon, Mr.. Corporal. and then dIsInount-
ed. and lifted till the sweat stood in drops
on his forehead.


When tn work was finished, turning to
the commander, he said, Mr.. Corporal
when YOU have another such "A job, and
have not men enough, send for your com
mander in Chief, and will come and help
YOU second time.


The corporal was thunderstruck IT
WAS Washington who thus addressed him