smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1865

Last Monday evening fire broke out in
the Monongahela House, Pittsburgh, which
was finally subdued, but not until the guests,
both ladies and gentlemen, that had most
beautiful scene, which the local of the Gazette
describes as follows: :a


The rooms were filled with smoke, the halls
were crowded with men, women and children,
and excitement and confusion reigned in all
parts of the building Many of the ladies ran
hither and thither in their night clothes,
Others were but partially dressed and all were
filed with the utmost alarm. Some very
amusing scenes were witnessed One lady
had managed to get her clothing all on, or
nearly so, but in her excitement she had
placed her hoops outside of her dress, and
cut most ludicrous figure. A gentleman,
whose sense of propriety had evidently been
shocked by the appearance of this lady, po-
litely called her attention to the fact that her
"dupex' was in the wrong place, much to the
amusement of those who witnessed his anx-
iety. On discovering her "situation," she
fled to the first accessible room, to adjust her
apparel. Several ladies had been wandering
about the halls like ghosts, wholly rncon-
scious of the fact that they were still part
and parcel of mankind, and when the excite
ment began to abate ''their eyes we're opened" ,"
and they "knew that they were (almost)
naked" They fled incontinently into some
bath rooms, where they awaited a supply of
Zig leaves" generously furnished by some of
their more fortunate sisters While these
scenes were being enacted, there were others
transpiring tending to show how cool some
persons are under the most trying circum-
stances. An awkward gawk of a fellow, with
an air of the most supreme Indifference,
stepped up to the bar tender, who was keep
ing an eye on his effects during the excite
ment, and bawled out, 'Look here, sir-if
this ere tavern burns down, is there any other
shanty in this ere town whar fellow can get
his breakfast? 1t is needless to say that the
interrogatory elected no answer ,t


A lady who was present says the above is a
faithful picture of the scene so far as it goes,
but expresses her indignation that all the fun
should be at the expense of the ladies, where
as the other sex cut just as ridiculous figures
as they did. One gentleman came out Of his
room with one leg of his pants on, while the
other was dangling like an empty sleeve
Our fair informant thought he ought to be
mated with the lady who put her hoops on
the outside
Year: 1865

We earnestly advise that all who think a
great deal, who have TO work hard, TO take
all the sleep they can get without medical
means.


We caution parents, particularly not to
allow their children to be walked up of morn
ings-lei nature wake them up, she will
not do it pIema,urely; but have care that
they 90 to bed at an early hour; let it be
early, until it be found that they wake up
themselves in full time to dress Tor break
fast


Being walked up early, and allowed TO en-
gage in difficult or any studies late, and just
before retiring has given many beautiful
and promising child the brain fever, or de-
term ined ordinary ailments to the produe-
tion of water on the brain.


Let parents make every possible effort to
have their children go 10 sleep in a pleasant
humor. Never scoId or give lectures, or in
any way wound a child's feelings as it goes
10 bed. Let all Danish business and every
worldly care al bedtime, aud let sleep
come to mind at peace with God and all
the world.
Year: 1865

A STUMPER FOR STUART MILL.-ln an ar
tice in Harper's Magazine for November,
we find the following anecdote of John
Stuart Mills recent canvass for parliament
The occasion was after Mr. Mill had con.
cluded his speech a, St James Hall:


When Mr.. Mill had concluded his ad-
dress, il was announced that he would an
swer any questions as TO his opinions which
persons in the audience might put TO him.
II really seemed as if no voice could have
the courage to follow that eloquent one that
had just ceased, aud truly j; would have re-
quired very high question 10 be in keep
ing with the impression left upon us. New
erlhelsss man rose to put question, and
his gravity of manners caused a general
hush in the room. The question pot by
the man was in these words, which were
given in a stentorian voice.


''I wish to ask Mr.. Mill what is his opin-
ion as to the question of marriage with a
deceased wife's sister Z"


Never was there a more prscipiious de-
scent from the sublime 10 the ridiculous.
AttCI iIAo hlot lOdAibS Sui5C VI iobSutOt noN
swept over the crowd some said that the
man had been sent there by the enemy TO
turn the meeting into farce. But no !;
there he stood, solemn and imperlurabIe,
awaiting the answer 10 his question. This
added to the groiesqueness of the whole
affair, and it seemed for awhile that the
crowd would never be able TO recover its
gravity. Mr. Mill who saw at once that he
was dealing with mans hobby, answered,
when quiet was restored, in a manner that
did much credit 10 his heart. He rather
shielded the man from the laughter OF the
crowd by the respectful tone with which he
said: without having considered all the
outs and ins OF the question proposed, yet
on the principle that liberty should be
allowed except when reason TO the contra
rS can be shown, and as | know of none
against marriage with a deceased wife's
sister, SHOULD be in favor of freedom in
that respect"
Year: 1865

A FARMER weEt with his son into the
whea, field 10 see If it was ready 10 harvest.


"See, father" exc Iaimed the boy Show
slraigE, these stems hold up their heads,
They must be the best ones, Those that
hang their heads down, am sure are not
good for much"


The father Plucked stalk OF each kind,
and said, "See here, foolish child This
stalk that STOOD SO straight and high is light
headed and almost good for nothing, while
this hung its head so modestly is full OF
the most beautiful grain. If a man holds
his head very high, you may be pretty sure
that il is empty
Year: 1865

The subject Of this notice was for many years Captain
o tho Seventh precinc, police He was three years
old, and was resident Of the Seventh ward for the last
forty years AZ regular meeting OF the Ancient Or
der Of Good Fellows of which deceased vas a member,
resolutions adopted condoIng with his family and
expressing tue deep regret OF tho association the
they had sascincd In the death of one who waa locke
upon "a the fataor e the Order.
Year: 1865

The government steam transport Nightingale Captain
Breaher arrived at this port yesterday morning from
Key West after passage OF Four days and fifteen hours


The steamer Columbia arrived Off Key West at four
A H. on the 18th instant having been chartered and
despatched from Havaa by the American Consul there
bearing messenger the naval military authorities
with tho Information that the rebel ra Stonewa had
reached Havana on the morning OF the 1lth, and was
chen ct anchor In the harbor that sho hurrcdI
eeising men and ammunition from the Owl and other
rebel steamers and blockade runners and that Captain
John NJ Malit had assumed command of her.


The Columbia Immediately proceeded sea- after tho


messenger returned board and stood for Havana As
the Nightingale ncared Sand Cay Light sho tho
United States steamer Powhaltan under way standing
out 10 sea.
Year: 1865

1t isstated by the Pittsburg Post, that
President johnson, in a recent conversa-
ton "declarcd that the Government could
not exist without the Demociatic party
1t this statement can be relied upon, it
will raise the President in the estimation
OF all intelligent and honest men. The
Government never has existed day with
out the democratic party, and it never
viii. Under the guidance of Democracy
our country reached an enviabe degree
of prosperity, from which it has been
plunged into an abyss of ruin by four
short years of "Republican" misrule.-
All that is left of the elements of future
prosperity and greatness, has been saved
by persistent defense Of the right by the
advocates of Democratic principles. Well
will 1T be for our country and the world, il
Mr.. johnson, true to his former record
and true to his early political education,
shall set himself at work to restore the
landmarks Of that glorious old party which
has ever been the rock of our safety and
the bulwork Of our defense.
Year: 1865

At length, says the Malone Gazette, it
Jefferson Davis is to be put upon trial be-
fore court and jury for the alleged crime
of treason, committed against the govern
ment Of the United States while acting as
the agent and representative head OF seven
or eight millions of people. 1t is said that
Charles O'Conor has received the Presi-
Dental "permission" to defend him. 1t
will be splendid defence, and will not
fail 10 revive the recollection of these great
principles of State Rights and self govern
mcnt which constituted the crowning glo-
ry of the system founded by the fathers of
the Republic. The trial, even, Of Jeffcr-
son Davis for treason proves that system
to have been overthrOwn.


But We agree with the editor Of the
Metropolitan Record, that by means of
this trial before legal and constitutional
tribunal 1--WE shall at last have an oppor-
tunity Of ascertaining. according to the
new principles Of government which were
inaugurated recently in this country, what
treason means, and how it is to be defined
hereafter Self government is to be put
ON trial in the person Of jefferson Davis,
and it could not find sterner, a truer. a
Drawer, or nobler representative. The
way in which this illustrious character
has been bounded by newspapers that have
exercised the freedom of the press but to
abuse and degrade it, is another instance
of the degradation to which we have sunk.
He has been maligred, vilifed, made the
object of the lowest blackguardism and
scurrility \ vile and infamous story
has been concoctcd that he attempted to
escape in his wife's dress 1t is needless
to say that this has been proven a pure
fabrication; but Jefferson Davis may for
give the malicious rcpresen tatiOns of his
enemies if they only permit him to be
heard in his own defence His is no era
ven nature that will shrink from the re-
sponsibiitcs with which he was charged
by sevea millions Of men, who proved by
their sacrifices that they were deserving
OF freedom and self government Let
him have 4 fair trial, and no matter what
his political enemies here may say, the
world will render a verdict in his favor
that history will not fai: to approve and
endorse"
Year: 1865

qualities of human action. the rule oi
your justice.


These strange incongruities must ever
pcrplex those who confound the unhappi,
ness of civil discussion with the crime Of
treason. Whenever rebellion really and
truly exists, which is as easily known in
fact as it is difficult to define in words
government has not entered into such
military conventions but has ever declin-
ed all Immediate treaty, which, should
put rebels in possession of the law of na-
tions with regard to war. Commanders
would receive no benefits at their hands
because they could make no returns for
them.


Who has ever heard Of capitulation, and
parole Of honor, and exchange Of prison
crs in the late rebellion in this kingdom
The answer to all demands Of that sort
was: We can engage for nothing, you arc
at the Kings pleasure. We ought to re-
member that if our present enemies be, in
reality and truth, rebels, the Kings gen
erals have no right to release them upon
any conditions whatever, and they are
themselves answerable to the law, and as
much in want Of pardon for doing SO as
the rebels whom they release"
Year: 1865

The New York merchants who contrib
uted to the fund to purchase magnif-
cent carriage and span of horses for Pres
ident Andrew johnson, have been kindly
informed by him that he cannot accept of
the magnificent present, believing it
wrong for persons in high stations to ac-
cept presents. Had the same amount
of industry and money been expended for
the benefit Of destitute widows and Or
phans OF that fast and wicked city, their
kindness would most probably have been
gladly accepted by those whose gratitude
and benedictions would have followed the
donors through life. But the funkey is
not in the habit Of helping any except
those who are able to help themselves, and
who will be likely to return the favor in
some manner.
Year: 1865

1t was proposed in England in 1777,
to bring the Americans who had been ta-
ken prisoners in the war to England, and
there try them for treason. Upon this the
great orator Edmund Burke. the champi-
on of constitutional liberty in the British
Parliament, said:


"War is at present carried on between
the Kings natural and foreign troops on
one side, and the English in America on
the other. upon the usual footing of other,
wars, and accordingly an exchange of
prisoners has been regularly made from
the beginning. If, Notwithstanding this
hitherto equal procedure, upon some pros
pect of ending the war with success, the
administration prepares to act against
those as traitors who remain in their hands
at the end fthe troubles, in my opinion,
we shall exhibit to the world as indecent
a piece of injustice as ever civil fury has
produced. If the prisoners who have
been exchanged have not, by that ex>
change, been virtually pardoned, the car
tel, whether ,ayowcd or understood is a
cruel fraud, for you have received the life
of a man, and you ought to return life
for it. or there is no parity or fairness in
the transaction. sh l.t a


If, on the other hand, we admit that
they who are actually exchanged are par
doned, but contend that you may justly
reserve for vengeance those who remain
.unexchanged, then this unpleasant ana
unhandsome consequence will follow: that
you Judge Of the delinquency of men,
merely by the time of their guilt, and not
blythe Nervousness Of it; and. you make
fcrtupe and accident, and not the moral
Year: 1865

General Sherman made a speech ip
Chicago, Tuesday night, in which he said:
"Now there is peace all the way from here
to the Gulf, and you, gentlemen, know
what you must do now Instead Of des-
troying, you must build up; instead of in
sulting, you must conciltate, instead Of
discouraging, you must encourage those
who are willing to aid us in building up
this widely diversified land. You cannot
expect the people of Louisiana and the
people of North Carolina to feel as we do;
all parties have their prejudices, and we
must respect theirs as they must respect
ours. With this simple precaution, there
is no danger of this thing ever recurring
in our annels."
Year: 1865

a sheriff was once asked to execute o
writ against a Quaker On arriving at
his house he saw the Quaker's wife, who
in reply to the inquiry whether her hus-
band was at home, said he was, at the
same time requesting him to be seated,
and her husband would speedily see him.


The officer waited patiently for some time
when the fair Quakeress coming into the
room, he reminded her of her promise
that he might see her husband. NAY,
friend; promised that he would see thee


He has seen thee ! He did not like thy
looks; therefore he avoided thee, and hath
departed from the house by another path" I"
Year: 1865




A newspaper CORES spondent writes as
follows with reference to the above named
city: The ancient Cockade city has be-
come historic through the incessant and
terrific bombardment it has sustained du-
ring the presence of Lieut.. Gen. Grants
forces-a period of nearly year. Hardly
Il house in the lower portion of the city
has escaped injury, and there are not a
few bat have ''daylight let clean through" "
Yet these things are scenes of the past,
and since the advent of our army Peters
burg is entirely altered Business has
revived with an astonishing rapidity, and
stores are as hard to obtain here as they
are in Richmond But it must not be
supposed that this sudden enterprise is Of
southern origin. With the best intention
in the world, the natives could not do any
business. from the fact of their being too
poor-havinS lost almost c,ery thing
when the confederacy collapsed, their all
being invested, pledged and torn from
them by despotic, grasping, and unscru-
pulous administration. The great major
ity of the business men now here are
ycnturesome northern men, who came
here to make their fortune and supply
the want Of the populace. The fact,
however, of money being scarce and land
having produced nothing for few years
past, thus leaving the planters almost
penniless, contracts trade great deal,
and all the money that is taken cones
either from our troops or from the inner
most rccesses of hidden stockings.
Year: 1865

AMEN.-''When the Executive guillo
tine falls on the neck of Edwin NJ. Stan
ton, (is the language of contemporary
that will meet with Il heartfelt response
in the bosom ofcvery rightminded man,
one universal .jubilate will echo and re
echo throughout the length and bredtl
of the land, for never did monarchy
or aristocracy, or oligarchy give the world
more perfect incarnation of the spirit OF
despotism than dwells in the body of the
apostate Democrat who lords it over the
War Department"
Year: 1865

EAIRAN AGANCE.-AS your purse, not
your pride, what you shall buy Let not
desire to excel your neighbor III display
run YOU into lavish expenditure. There
is no foibIe so attractive Cor the time as
extravaganza. People call it liberality
nobleness of spirit, and enlarged views:
they look on with admiration, they do
at brilliant display Of fireworks, but the
fire once spent, then comes the reaction.
Dress is, perhaps, the greatest medium of
extravaSancc. Shakespeare, Fuller, and
many old and standard writer's advise dis
play. and costly attire, but it is very qucs-
tionablc policy in a republic like ours,
where it is sure to provoke envy and de-
traction. This is ore of the means of
those who cxpend so much self-denial and
thought to keep up the show of what they
have not, while one half the same lab9T
expended in restricting themselves to the
hardest realities would be to much better
effect. And yet we would nave no reader
OF ours foster or practice nigardly spirit.
The fact is, it is the same with our ex-
pcnditures as with our enjoyment pleas
urc and diet ought to be in perfect harm
ony; bearing just proportion to each
other, for while immediate pleasure puts
nature into disorder, so also a sparing and
dry way of living dulls the spirit and fac
ulties. And thus. while undue lavishness
tends to derange ones means and leads to
many evils, so likewise mean and parsi-
monious spirit tends to render us blunted
unto all good influences, and shuts us out
from the companionship and regard of our
fellow men.
Year: 1865

Let no man be too proud TO work.
Let no man be ashamed Of a hard fist or
sunburnt couhtenanoe. Let him be
ashamed only of ignorance and sloth.-,
Let no man be ashamed of poverty. Let
him only be ashamed Of dishonesty and
idleness
Year: 1865

That was queer freak the lightning took
at store in Rockville, Conn, the other day.
It entered tie door in livid flash, which ac-
tually lit an oil lamp and left it burning, with.
out leaving any other visible marks Of iss
passage
Year: 1865

We clip the following article from an ex-
change. tits true, and we commend it to
every man who has an interest where he re-
sides:


Nothing is more common than to hear peo-
pie talk of what they pay newspapers for ad-
vertising, &c. as so much given away. News
papers, by enhancing the value Of property
in their nelghborhood, ard giving the local.
ties in which they are published a reputation
abroad, benefit all such, particularly if they
are merchants or real estate owners, thrice
the amount yearly of the meagre SUM they
pay for their support. Besides, every public
spirited citizen has alaudable pride IN having
a paper in which he is not ashamed, even
though he should pick it up in New York or
Washington.


A good-looking, thriving sheet helps to
sell property, gives character to the locality,
and in all respects is desirable public con-
venience. If the matter in the local or edi-
torial columns should not be quite up to your
standard, do not cast it aside and pronounce
it Of no account until you are satisfied that
there has been ne more labor bestowed up
on it than is paid for. If you want good
readable sheet, it must be supported. And
it must not be supported in spirit Of chari-
ty neither, but because you feel a necessity
to support it. The local press is the power
that moves the people" N Y Tribune.
Year: 1865

RfBBoNs-The extravaganza and absurdity
of the fashions of the. day are themes which
viii gain US little popularity among the fair
creatures who strain every nerve and purse
string to keep up with them. The odds and
ends Of imagination are employed to render
women as unsightly, as controrted, and dis
figured as nature can well be, and we only
console ourselves by the thought that absuFdi-
ty has reached its hight, in the waterfalls and
other hideosities of the season, and that the
tide must turn back to nature, (fgurati7eIy
speaking.)


Not the least ugly Of the styles is that of
wearing twisted and tangled ribbons Of every
length, breadth and hue, tied and pinned on
every part of the head, body, waist OF skirt
of the lady's costume-until the fashionable
damsel, in full dress, can but remind one of
the prize beeves- in old times, paraded about
our streets. The saints of all ages never
counted as many beads as will be found on
the head-dresses Of one church-fuIt Of these
deyotees, and we only account for it by sup
posing that there is really about the water
falls, which are thus bead-damned.


A Northern cotemporary accounts for the
abominable dressing of the women during
the war, by presuming that they wished to
make themselves so hideous as to drive the
men into the army. What do they want
now2 From the tips of their abominable
square toed shoes, to the butter-Aied scare
crows that adorn their plastered, tightly
drawn hair, there is not one article of dress
but is intended to alter that shape which was
made after Divinitys own image


Walk with your sweet heart, and in the
loops of her voluminous skirts are provided
pitfalls for your feet, and exhibitors of hers
She kneeIs down in church, and unless one
cheek is turned down, (thus exposing the
other which explains the thing,) off falls
her hat. Kiss her, and you are in danger of
being overwhelmed by an avalanches of rats
and mice; and as for putting your arm around
your wife's neck, the bump OF horse hair,
cotton balls, biscuit and what not, renders
that mpossible.-P Psiers5urg (Ta) Express.
Year: 1865

WE have had a President Taylor, and
now we have a tailor President. Little
did the present incumbent think, when
following the peaceful profession of his
youth, that his goose would one day
hang so high, aud that he, who once
aided Undressing up his southern patrons,
would one day be called to assist in
dressing down the same individuals, and
in giving particular fits to so many re-
beilious customers. The war has come
to its close (clothes.) The L" repossession


of the southern forts has left enough Of
dead men in the breaches--let all
breaches now be mended. Our Presi-
dents previous life has been but sew,
sew but if he pants for fame, he Is
vested with sufficient authority to ciothe
the naked aud bleeding South with the
garment Of mercy, so that our peace may
not prove 30 be a Patched-uP one, but a
blessing to all parties. Although not Of
character SO benign as his predecessor,
may he conduct his administration with
such yicor as TO make it appear that
there be nine men ID the Presidential
chair, instead Of only the ninth part Of
one.-P1vb. San Francisco Paper.