smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

A board shanty, with little skill and a
right spirit may compass all the best fea-
tures Of home. The man who can use an
axe and a hsudsaw, ought speedily to dwell
under his own roof. 1t win be all the more
dear to him il his own hands have fash
ioned and reared it. Ordinarily he is
stronger and better man for the State when
he has acquired an interest in the soil. Of
the two relations it is better to be ones
own landlord than the tenant of another ;
even though the lordship is only over q
. miniature potato field. There cannot be
the best eonsecration of our own dwellings
pntil our permanent interests have vested
in them. Nay, not until we have come to
consider the probabilities that our children
will gather at the same hearthstone. Until
then, paucity and barrenness may linger
srp1nd our aacdrs.
Year: 1861

The Vermont Patriot tells q story Of an
old usurer who went, one day, to visit a
former borrower, who had since, fortunate
ly, grown from poverty to indepence. They
went into the garden Passing along a
walk flanked on either side with flowers of
great beauty and variety, the visitor made
no remark until he came to the potatoe
patch; when he exclaimed: "My friend,
you'll have fine crop of potatoes there"
"That's just like you," said the proprietor,
"when ladies and gentlemen pass through
my garden, they look at the fowers-but
when d---n hog comes in, all he can see
is potatoes"
Year: 1861

Why THE CANNON VENT is CLOSED AFTER
4 DIscHARGE.-There are always left in a
cannon, after discharge, pieces of the
cartridge bag on fire, and if the sponge is
passed down the bore without closing the
vent, draft of air is created which fans
the flame; but if the vent be closed, the
smoke is compressed around the burning
times, when firing in the dark, man cam
not find the vent until the sponge is put in;
then the fame will stream from the vent,
as if the gun was quite full of ire.-Seien-
tifc American.
Year: 1861

THE LAST RESULT OF AMBIrIoN.-To be
happy at home is the ultimate result of all
ambition-the end to which every enter
prise and labor tends-and of which desire
prompts the prosecution-It is indeed at
home that every man must be known by
those who would make just estimate eth
er of his virtue or felicity; for smiles and
embroidery are alike occasional; and the
mind is often dressed for show and painted
honor and ficticious benevolence.
Year: 1861

A PERFECT WoNAS.-Edmund Burke, the
great British orator and statesman, thus de-
scribes the perfect woman. How many can
come up to this high standard7


"A perfect woman is handsome, but it's
not beauty arising from features, from
complexion, or from shape. She has all
these in high degree, but i. is not by these
that she touches the heart-it is all sweet
ness of temper, benevolence, innocence,
and senslbiiity which face can express
that forms her beauty. She has face that
just rouses your attention at first sight; it
grows upon you every moment, and you
wonder that it did not more than raise at
tention at first. Her eyes have a mild light,
but they awe when she pleases then COM
mand, like good man out of Office, not by
authority, but by virtue. Her stature is
not tail, she is not made to be the admira-
tion of every one. She has the frmness
that does not exclude delicacy-all the
softness that does not imply weakness. Her
voice Is soiI, io"i musiS0i, nos ioimeu W
rule in public assemblies, but to charm
those who can distinguish company from a
crowd; it has advantage, you must come
close to hear it. To describe her body is
to describe her mind-one is the transcript
of the other. Her understanding is not
shown in the variety of the matter it ex-
erts itself upon, but the goodness of the
choice she makes. Her politeness flows
from natural disposition to oblige than any
rules on that object, and therefore never
fails to strike those who understand good
breeding and those who do net"
Year: 1861




thing in the Chinese character more strik-
ing than the apathy with which they
undergo Affections, or the resignation with
which they bear them. There is SO much
elasticity in their disposition that the most
opposite changes in their disposition have
but little effect. A coolie can admirably
ape the dignity of tie mandarin when pro-
NOTED, and a disgraeed official or ruined
merchant who had formerly lived in luxury
appears to little regret the change they have
undergone. There is no fear of death
among them, though they have character
of cowardice. 1t is true that they have the
relics of the dead constantly before their
eyes. The country is covered with graves,
and in many places about Shanghai the cof
fins are openly exposed in the field. They
are even kept in their houses till a propi-
tious day arrives for the burial months
passing by sometimes before the body is re-
moved. When the coffin is decayed, the
bones are carefully gathered; and in a
country walk one very often comes upon
jars Containing "potted ancestors" Mon
ey is saved for the purchase Of a coffin, and
it is put by for use. The first time l saw
this, was in little cottage near Shanghai.
There was an old csbwebbed coffin in the
corner. asked young lad why it was
there, he quietly pointed with his thumb
over his shoulder to his grandmother,
standing close by her and said it was for
her. She was very old, and was nearly
wearing out the coffin before she was put
into it. At funerals females are hired to
do the 'inconsolable grief part of the per-
formance. 1t seems very ridiculous that
such custom should be kept up when it
is known by everybody that the mourners
howl for hire. They certainly work hard
for their money, and their piteous means
would be heart rending if they were real
Twelve Years in China.


THE ELEGANCE OF New YORK CITY.-The
London Times speaks of New York City as
follows:


The city is certainly the most remark
able result of wealth and enterprise which
the world has known. In an incredibly
short space of time it has risen from that
of tenth-rate town to the third city in the
world in population and riches. In the
last ten years the larger part has been en-
trely rebuilt marble and freestone edifc-
es of great size, beauty and costliness have
beer substituted for the old brick houses
Broadway has been extended for miles; a
vast park of nearly eight hundred acres is
being laid out in what will be, before long,
the centre of the city; dwelling houses
have been built by thousands, far exceed
ing in elegance and comfort the average
dwellings of Londoners and New York,
with its suburbs, now reckoning more than
million inhabitants, may lock forward to
being, the next generation, not only the
largest, but perhaps the most beautiful city
in the world. All this has been done by
private enterprise, and if the administaa-
ton of the city had been in honest hands
the result would have been far more extra
ordinary"
Year: 1861

A poor widow lies helpless upon her bed.
She has worked at her tubs and ironing table
as long as she could stand, since her children
depend on her labor. At last her health has
given out, and she is obliged to surrender.-
With her work half done, and knowing not
how she is to live and feed her family, she
stops from stern necessity. The luxury of
sickness she cannot afford, or she would have
stopped year ago, Now she must suffer
and wait, whereas before she suffered and
worked, 1t is surely hard case. How
easily may she be gloomy and despairing!


In this state OF things L visited her. |
was prepared to hear sad story, and to meet
a downcast countonance. But to my sur
prise, she was checrful-hoped she would get
at work in few weeks those she worked for
would put up with her sickness for while,
and then she would 60 on as before. Her
feet were not quite SO swollen, and if she
could only get SO as to stand, she could work
very we'll at the ironing-table. Meanwhile,
the doctor was so kind as to charge her moth
ing for his service, and her Oldest child got
along pretty we'll with the scanty cooking
she required.


Asonishcd at such cheerful tope-seeing
Year: 1861

1t is very difficult to induce people to
think, or talk, upon any other subject save
that of the present war. We wero asking a
friend, only an hour ago, to take weekly
religious paper and the excuse was, that they
must have the Daily, and they rodo three
miles every night to the Office to obtain it.
There is feverish anxiety to receive thc


latest news from the seat Of war, nor can we
wonder that this is the case. Our national
affairs are in a peculiar condition Of peril,
and the fair fabric of cur free Institutions is
rocking to its foundation. The war-cloud is
thickening in the immediate vicinity OF Wash
ington, and he troubled elements are daily
threatening to discharge tho red bolts of ruin.
AS these matters are maturing, the masses
are hourly expecting something decisive to
mark the eventful circumstances connected
with the passing history of our country. We
have enjoyed great peace and prosperity un-
der our admirable form of Government, and
but few persons were aware of the ex-
Year: 1861

Depend upon it I am right, and you will
say So Again, am sad because you are
spending too much money. You must be
more prudent, Or you will get into debt and
lose your place. Think Of it,
Year: 1861

PASTURES not allow them to be
fed too closely. If the roots Of grass
arc unprotected from the scorching heat
Of Summer, it will die out rapidly. A
plot Of early sown rye, sorghum, or
corn, to be cut and fed this and the
next month will aid in keeping both
pastures and stock thriving.
Year: 1861

1t is poor economy to attempt the
severe labors Of the season with insult
fcient working force. Ovcrworking
during the oppressive heat of Summer
is even more injurious than at other
times. There may be scarcity of help
in some sections, owing to the large
numbers engaged in the war. but the
absence Of men should be supplied, as
far as may be, by using labor-saying
implements.
Year: 1861

The SEA SERPENT.--A party of Dun
kirk fishermen are ready TO make oath
to the visual inspection Of a sea serpent
in Lake Erie, "some sixteen feet in
length, with head and tail erect, of
greenish color, aud very active in its
notions
Year: 1861

Tue Louisville Democrat says that
in Butler county, Kentucky--which is
in the southern part Of the State, close
on the Tennessee line, there was cast
the most overwhelming vote for the
Union of any county in the State.
Southern Kentucky has beaten Louis
vile. They are in sight of the armed
mob OF Tennessee, yet strong for the
Federal Government.
Year: 1861

We have little Tot who puts
queer specimens into her prayers some
times, Of which we are reminded of the
following Little Willie is praying,
without particular reference to the
form: Good bless little Willie, and
don't let the house bum up-God bless
papa and mamma, and God bless me
and make my boots go on easy in the
morning.
Year: 1861

ATTExPr TO BLOW UP TRAIN WITH KEG
or PowDER.-A correspondent of the Missouri
Democrat writes from ROlla, Aug. % An at
tempt was made this afternoon to blow up the
train due here at 80. The train had reached
q point eight miles from here and two miles be-
yond Dilton, when loud explosion was heard,
which was supposed by the passengers to be
the discharge of q cannon by some Of the seces-
sionists. 1t was ascertained that a keg of DOW
der had exploded beneath the engine The dirt
was thrown up in clouds, and covered the floor
Of the engine, and the roof exhibits the effects
Of the pebbles thrown against it. The engineer,
Benjamin Smith, was thrown off his seat by the
conclusion, and had his wrist injured slightly
by an iron screw driven upwards from the foor
Of the engine. The powder was contained in a
comman nail keg, buried between the rails, and
1t Is supposed that fuse extended from it TO the
track The escape Of the passengers is consid-
cred providential, as there Is no question that
the dastardly scoundrels who perpetrated the
act intended to effect q wholesale daughter of
all on board. The train moved back to the
scene OF the explosion, when Ii was ascertained
from woman that eight men were seen by her
on the spot half hour or so previous. The
rebels could be heard talking, by some of the
passengers, in the bushes, and after the train
started, man was seen TO come out from his
hiding place and take q survey Of his nefarious
work. The blackened stones brought along by
the passengers are nearly two feet long.


Aug. IA company Of cavalry under Capt
McFall was sent down to reconnoiter last light
They found several rails ripped from the track
In deep cut near jamestown station. Three
suspioious-looking characters were seen on the
track in the neighborhood, and were fred at
Nothing further was heard from them than the
exclamation from one Of the party, borne on
the midnight air, ''I'm shoti'
Year: 1861

Doesticks, who claims to be an Ellsworth
Zouave, thus narrates the experience Of his
regiment after receiving their uniforms from
the Military Board:


The uniforms sent from New York were the
trashiest things possible; they wouldn't stand
sure. A gentle wind would blow q mans coat
into rags in half day; while if he ventured
out doors in q stiff breeze, his red breeshes
would tear out into long red flags, and in ten
seconds he would look like walking flag staff,
with the signal set for "never mind the COM
modore, old fellow, but sail in and fight on
your own hook" No man has had q whole
suit of clothes for two months. We've gone
on guard dressed only in overcoat and mus
ket, and we've done scout duty in the easy and
elegant attire of a revolver and one pair of
shoes to three men. When we've wanted to
dress extra fine for Sunday service, we'd pol
ish our musket and tie red rag on each leg
preachss-stands in an empty pork barrel to
hide his legs.


called on the Colonel yesterday, dressed
only in bayonet; and that considerate officer
admired my airy costume much, but said I'd
better kill few seceshers, and when bagged
one of my own size I might help myself to his
oreeches When our whole company lately
applied to him for clothes, he said he hadn't
got any for US, but he served out fifteen rounds
Of ball cartridges to each, and gave US leave of
absence for two days, and told US to bury all
the seceshers we killed, 30 as not to lumt er up
the country. Most Of the fellows got good
suits of clothes, and Bob Brown was 80 uncom-
monty particular that he didn't suit himself
till be killed five fellows. With my usual luck
couldn't find fellow my size-they were ali
too short or too leng. When at last I did find
fellow fve feet nine, and had good aim on
him, be raised his head and disclosed the un-
welcome fact that Il was one of our own SER
geants. just my luck-he had on a lovely suit
of gray which would have fitted me to a hair,
and if I'd been half a second quicker on the
trigger could have had it, but L couldn't de-
Gently shoot after I'd seen his face. However,
l got full suit of blue cloth, and Bob Brown
is on the lookout to help me to better my con-
dition. He wants to find fellow five feet
nine, rather slim in the waist, and with a new
and we'll fitting suit; army blue preferred.
Year: 1861

1t should be understood that this removal
Of arms which we now disclose has nothing to
do with the distribution which is occasionally
made to several States of the quota to which
each Safe is entitled for its own militia. For
that object there have been Issued to the
S ates during the wear as follows
Year: 1861

From observations made by the Coast Survey,
it has been determined that the tidal wave Of
Boston harbOr flows in from the sea at the tate
Of fifty miles per hour. The wave travels the
entire distance from Boston Lover Light to the
Charleston Dry Dock in twelve minutes.
Year: 1861

WrHDRAwAt-Frank Clark, Esq, Democratic
nominee for Councilman for the Council District
composed Of Pierce and Sawamish COuhsies, has
requested US to say that consideration Of his
business relatiOus has caused him to decline
making the canvass for Councilman, and that he
hereby returns TO the democracy Of the District
the nomination, together with lively feeling Of
appreciation Of the confidence and friendship oi
those from whose hands be received il
Year: 1861

yroLArtSs A Cry ORpIsAScE.-Mr. Charles b
Durnnt was Yesterday fined SIS by Recorder Martin
dale for violation Of City ordinance In allowing the
sidewalk adjoining his properly corner OF York ana
Warren Streets TO remain In an unsafe and impass-bss
condition.
Year: 1861

The following is letter written by
Gen. Washington to his friend Lund in
1916, proving, rs says the Portland
Me- Transcript, '.that the grea: Vir-
ginian then fully appreciated fact which
the majority OF Southern people have not
yet wholly learned, though they are in a
fair way to do So


"We have lately had general review,
and | have much pleasure in informing
you that we made much better appear
ance, and went through our exercises
more like soldiers, than l had expected.
The Southern States are rash and blama-
Bile in the Judgment they form of their
brethren of four New England States
do assure you, with all my partiality for
my own conntrymen, and the prejudice
against them, l can but consider them as
the flower of the American army. They
are strong, vigorous and hearty people,
Injured to labor aud toll, which our people
seldom are and though our hot and eager
spirits may suit better in sudden and
desperate enterprise, yet, in the way in
which wars are now carried on, you must
look for permanent advantages only from
that patient and persevering temper which
is the result Of labor. The New Eng
anders are cool and considerate, whilst
We are fire and fury Like their climate,
they maintain All equal temperature,
whereas We shine but we burn. They
have uniformity and stability Of char
acter to which the people OF no other
States have any pretentions, hence they
will always preserve the influence ia this
great empire. We're ii not for the draw
backs and disadvantages which the inslu.
ence Of their popular opinions on the sub.
jsct Of Government have on their army,
they might, and probably, will, give law
70 II"
Year: 1861

.NUFs


An officer of the Goth Indiana Regi-
ment from Hatteras Inlet arrived here,
says he had long conversation with the
man who brought the news to Hatteras
He was not descrter, but citizen, aud
a man of considerable intelligence who
had crossed the sound at the risk of his
life to bring the news to us The officer
reports that his conversation corresponds
exactly with what has already been trans
mtted BY telegraph outside Of this state
ment There is report that, in taking
Beaufort large part of the town was
burnt
Year: 1861

We clip the following significant
article from the New York News Of
the Sth:


By the papers which arrived by
the Anglo-Saxon we learn that the
Rev. DR.. Cheever and the British
Abolitionists are looking to the Ameri-
can war for the most hopeful results
for their cause. We publish in an
other column an account of IA meet
ing in which the pastor of the Church
of the Puritans declared his convic-
ton that the American war would
result in the total emancipation of
the black race. The Morning Star,
in which the proceedings are publish
ed, strongly indorses the efforts of
DIR. Cheever, and believes that .sthe
brave martyrs who have thus far
shed their blood in behalf of negro
freedom have not suffered in vain
Such is the only presumption evi-
dently upon which the war fluids any
sympathy abroad. In any other re-
spect the teaching of plain common
sense is, that the contest is both ru-
nous and hopeless, and to none is
this fact more clear than to those
across the water who have explored
the mysteries of war, and look upon
transatlantic events with Il vision
unobscured by Immediate contact or
the mists of passion. We accord to
DR.. Cheever the merit Of both sense
and trankness in this matter, and
consequently, can well appreciate his
purpose in administering to the ut
ter ruin of country and Government.
His Interpretation of the real motive
which governs the war party is un-
questionably truthful, as any other
Interpretation would be incompatible
with any ordinary mode of reasoning
upon the subject. 1t is to be hoped
that the American people will open
their eyes to the real enormity of the
project before it is. too late to arrest
the threatened calamity. Let us at
least attempt to preserve the form
and spirit of the Government, though
the day of negro millennium and jubi-
lee, which enlivens the hopes OF DIR.
Cheever and his sympathiSers be in
tinitely postponed.
Year: 1861

information that will satisfy you that
Fremont was not to blame. If SO, the
public here should know it also, in or
der that the confidence of the people
should not be withheld from the COM
manding General. / could not think.
when | first returned here, that any part
ot the blame could rest with him, but
my observation since has shaken my
faith to the very foundations. le
There is one point which did not
refer to in my letter, and which / in,
tended to remark on, and that is, the
utter want of discipline in the camps
around and about ST. Louis. tits re-
hearsal of the state of affairs in w ash
ington before the fight at Manassas,
and will, / am apprehensivs, conduee
to simmiar results. / brought these
matters to Fremont's attention, but he
put it aside by saying it would not do
to be too exacting at once. Our ene-a
mics at the door, and yet too early to
impart discipline to our troops, and
keep them out of whisky shops! I
know that you and / are in some sort
responsible for Fremont's appointment,
and for his being placed in command
of this Department, and therefore +,
feel another and an additional motive
to speak out openly about these matters.
My decided opinion is that he should
be relieved of his command, and man
of ability put in his place. The sooner
| it is done the better. have given you
my opinion and the grounds for it. If
the Government knows more of his
plans than l know-if you are satisfied
with them, then you can burn this pa
per and say that am an alarnatst )
you know, however, that am not. No
man has been more hopeful and conf,
dent than have been up to within a
few days past. felt satisfied on my
return here that affairs were criticised,
but that the success and elation of the
enemy could be turned to good account,
if the proper steps were promptly taken.
They haze not been taken, and either
the Government has failed to support
Fremont as he should have been, or he
has failed to apply the means at his dis
posal Affairs are worse than they
were two weeks ago, and getting worse
every day. Secession increasing
Union men driven out, and the Gener-
al, fear, incapable of comprehending
his position. His recent proclamation
is the best thing of-the kind that has
been issued, but should have been is
sued when he first came, when he had
the power to enforce it, and the enemy
no power to retaliate. Now they are
substantially enforcing against us the
substance of his proclamation, outside
of ST. Louis and our garrisons, and his
proclamation, / fear an impotent, at
tempt at retaliation.


l want you to lay these things to
your heart, and get ready to apply the.
remedy before it is too late. ~


| will write you again very soon. I
hope l may have better news to give
you, ! shall be but too happy if any.
thing occurs to restore my confidence.
in Fremont.


/ / am well-better than have been
for eight months.


Yours, affectionately,


| Signed, FRANK P. BLAIR.