smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

THOMAS Dick puts the boarding of
wealth in this striking way:


Suppose man could lay up stock of
clothes and provisions sufficient to last
him for 300 years, what would it avail
him, since he can live at most but from 70
to 100 years? Suppose he had laid up in
a store house 70, 900 pairs of shoes, to what
end would it serve, if he could make use,
during his whole life, of only the one
hundreth part of them? He would be in
the same condition as a man who had
hundred dishes placed before him at din
ner, but who could only take one or of q
person who had hundred mansions pur-
chased for mis- residence, but who could
occupy only one. How ridiculous it
would appear if all that could be said of
a man while he lived was simply this
that his whole life was occupied in collect
ing and laying up in a store house 6O,0OO
mahogany chairs which were never in
tended to be used for the furniture of
apartments, or $4,000 pairs of trOwsers
which we're never intended to be worn :?
And where is the difference, in point of
nationality and utility, between such alb
surd practices, and boarding thousands of
guineas and bank notes which are never
brought forth for the benefit of mankind.
There is no conduct connected with the
pursuits of human beings that appears
more absurd and wicked than such prac-
tices (hOwcver common), if examined by
the dictates of reason and the word of
God.
Year: 1869

THE bull-snake, although it abounds
upon our western prairies, is very little
known to naturalists. 1t grows to length
of about ten or twelve feet, is very thick
in girth, and strong and bold. 1t never
attacks man, but haunts the neighbor-
hoods of the wild outlying prairie farms,
the poultry kept on which in such abund-
ance seems to from an irresistible attrac-
ton to this great snake, as, indeed, poultry
generally does to all other reptiles of It's
kind. 1t is terribly voraciOus, and, what is
more rare in snakes which are not venom
Gus, will kill and destroy for the mere
sake of killing. A bull-snake in a large
hen-rOost will in a night do as much mis-
chief as will require three mon hs' hatch
ing to repair. Once, when driving out
with friend to visit station on the
prairles good deal west of the Mississip-
pi, drove over one of these snakes in the
long tangled prairie grass, which was then
more than four feet high. The shock his
bulk gave almost upset the light "buck-
board on which we rode We turned at
once, and saw large, dark mass of bull
snake writhing his dirty, black coils in all
the agony of mortal wound. He was
evidently quite helpless to escape or live
so we jumped down, and with the butts of
our whips beat what little life remained
out of him. Yet till the last blow he
fought us with fierce hissings and at
tempts to bite, and would, no doubt, have
made serious resistance had he not been
so injured to start with. His length was
nearly eleven feet, and his jaws, or rather
mouth, contained four rows of teeth, all
small, but all intensely sharp-pointed, and
crooked, and curved back wards None OF
these, of course, were venomOus; but the
wound they would infllct would be very
severe from the multitude of small. deep
lacerations. The jaws were exceedingly
powerful but there was nothing what
ever in the creatures stomach but the re-
mains of praire hen, which had evident
ly been eaten some days before.-Serpents
and VenOanOuS Snakes.
Year: 1869

A FEW days ago horse in Thornbury
Township, Chester County, Pa, was
seized with hydrophObia. The animal
had been confined in field, but by some
means got out of the inclosure into the
public road 1t attacked team that was
engaged in hauling stone to the railroad.
The driver of the team succeeded in driv
ing off the mad animal, and it Is not be-
lieved that it injured either of the horses
attached to the team. When the fit was
off, the poor brute would become very
weak-stagger, and fall. When the
spasms returned, it would again rise and
attack everything in its way. Several
persons were chased on to the tavern
porch, and one individual narrowly es-
capped being bitten. In its rage to bite,
it's own tongue was nearly bitten off
The animal was finally secured in lot,
where he died during the night, in great
agony.
Year: 1869

A YoUNGsTER in Quebec tried to crawl
down the chimney and surprise the family
by emerging from the fireplace, but got
wedged III at the bend of the fiue, and had
to be dug out with picks.
Year: 1869

From what has been developed within
few days past, it Is evident that the
question of repeal or modification OF the
income Tax will cause excited and pro-
longed discussion in the approaching
session of Congress. The matter Is or
especial Importance to large corpora
tio.,s and individuals of immense in
come. Certain of these have combined,
il is alleged, and formed a party with q
large aggregate fund subscribed TO use
in lobbying the repeal of the Income
Tax which expires by limitation next
June, and failing in this, to prevent a
continuance OF that law in modified
form, az is proposed by another party
A few Representatives and Senators
have made known their purpose OF op-
posing the continuance OF the law In
any form, and will demand that it be
permitted to drop from the statute book
with the expiration of the limitation 4!
ready fixed by law. On theother hand,
= large number of Congressman are
known to be in favor of modifying the
law and continuing it indefinitely
There is variance of opinion as to the
extent of modification, some advocating
two or three per cent. instead OF hVe,
with the provision that no income less
than five thousand dollars shall te tax
ed. Other. argue that three Thousand
dollars should be the limit. These diff
ferences can be readily reconciled, 1t is
argued, and this accomplished, the ma
jority in both branches of Congress is
very decidedly in favor of re- enactiDs
the law in q modified form.-Boston
Post.
Year: 1869

The late Fitz Greene Halleck said: 4'A
letter fell into my hands uhich Scoth
servant girl had written to her lover


Its style charmed me. 1t was fairly in
imitable. / wondered how, in her cir
in life, she could have ac-
quired so elegant style. / showed the
letter to some of my literary friends in
the city of New York, and they unani-
mously agreed that it was a model of
beauty and elegance then determined
to solve the mystery and went to the
house where she was employed, and
asked her how 1t was that, in her hum
BILE circumstances in life, she had acquir-
ed style so beautiful that the most eul-
tivated minds could not but admire IL.
Sir said she, Il came to this country
four years ago. Then l could not read
or write. But since then have learned
to read and write, but have not learned
to spell: so always when / sit down to
write a letter, select those words
which are short and simple that / am
sure to know how to spell Them There
" q the whole secret. The reply OF that
simple minded Scotch girl condensed n
world of rhetoric into nut shell. Sim
plicity is power"
Year: 1869

The people of New York have amend
ed their Judiciary system at the recent
election. The new system provides for
seven Appeal Judges holding Office for
fourteen years. The existing Supreme
Court. the judicial districts and the
number of Justices as fixed by law, are
continued. General Terms of this Court
are provided for. but no Justice shall sit
therein, or in the Appeals, in review of
a decision made by himself, or by any
Court of which he was at the time sit
ting member below. The local courts
in the counties of New York, Kings and
Erie are continued as at present; also
the county courts throughout the State
No Judge or justice can hold Office after
his SEVENTEEN year. Thejudgesin coun-
ties of less than forty thousand popula-
ton are also to act as Surrogates. The
Constitution provides for three years
trial of the new system, but the question
shall be submitted to the people in 1873
whether these judicial offices shall con-
tinue elective, or be filled by appoint
ment.
Year: 1869

1t is announced that sixteen of the
most expert female money counters in
the Treasury Department at Washing
ton, have been sent on to New York 10
verify the cash balance stated in General
Butterfield's accounts as United States
Assistant Treasurer. When Butterfield's
predecessors went out of office, 4 large
number of clerks from the prominent
banks in New York were engaged at
this work for two or three weeks, labor
ing day and night. The appointment
of these sixteen ladies is highly compli-
mentary to their skill and business
capacity.
Year: 1869

A puzzle for foreigneer-In thirty
five words how many ''thats" can be
inserted? Eighteen:
He said that that that that that man
said was not that that that that one
should say, but that that that that that
man said was that that that that man
should not say +" That reminds US Of
the following "says" and ''saids:" "Mr.
B, did you say or did you net say
what l said you said? Because C
said you said you rever did say what l
said you said New, if you did say that
you did not say what l said you said,
then what did you say?
Year: 1869

With certain limitations, it is true


that man who cannot save margin


from small income will never save any
thing from large one. Wants are al
ways more plentiful than dollars. The


habit of self denial is rather more easily
cultivated when the means for supply
ing them are limited than when more
ample means have created new tastes
and desires. Therefore, if you would grow
rich you must begin TO acquire. A single
dollar saved is often larger proportion
of actual necessities, than the thousands
your rich neighbor places in bank. a
dollar saved at twenty will count as
much as sixteen saved at sixty. Many
Young men spend as much in cigars
alone, between the age of fifteen and
sums of money which, If
invested, would accumulate to
an amount, by the time they reach nifty
wears ample to meet the. necessities OF
age, and render them independent for
the remainder of their days.
Year: 1869

TEE RECENT PARRICIoR IN NEW HAMP.
sHIRE-Pdrticntdrs Of the Cdse.-Mr. era awford
OF Lee, New Hampshire. who was recently
shot by his son. died last Thu sday. The par.
ticulars Of the affair are as follows: On the day
before the tragedy some boys had greatly irri-
vicinity of his house, so much so that he had
frt d at them to force them to stop, and had
wounded one in the leg. On Tuesday, the next
dav, dispute arose between Crawford aud his
son in regard to the time the boys had been
firing, when Crawford called his son a liar
and threatened to break q chair over his head:
the boy daring him to do SO, Crawford struck
him with one. Then the boy went to his room
and got his revolver, and Crawford GOT an ak
and tried to knock his sou down stairs, hitting
him once near the shoulder, making a small
wound. He was about to strike him again
when the son shot him, first in the shoulder
and then In the bowels, and then the father was
overpowered by a neighbor. Crawford had an
ungoyernable temper, and had several times
threatened his SON. The youth had procured
the revolver for the defense of his life.
Year: 1869

The correspondent of the Germantown
Telegraph says:-


"Our summer tourists are returning to
their homes, and the city is beginning now
to fill up. The fall trade has set in quite
briskly, and the railroads are transacting a
large business. Much has been induced by
the extraordinary reduction in the rates Of
freight of the four great competing roads,
which at the present time are carrying
freights SO low that the western merchants
are eagerly availing themselves of the ep-
portunity to lay in their stock of goods. The
river front of the city also looks very busy,
and, notwithstanding the croaking about
dull times, the business transactions on its
banks 60 on as vigorously as ever. We have
had much larger number of tourist visitors
sojourning in this city lately than is usual,
and there appears to be some interest felt in
the city from all parts of the country. It is
believed by real estate men that the regular
growth of the city will fill up all the surplus
stock of houses, of which so much has been
said in the daily papers, before next spring :;
so that those who are holding off in expec-
tation OF lower prices, will be apt to be mis-
taken. The announcements that have been
sent abroad to all parts of the country con-
cerning the stagnation of the real estate busi-
ness in Philadelphia, is having its legitimate
result in bringing people into the city. The
extraordinary rise In the rents of stores on
business streets is having its effect In driving
business concerns into other streets, and
changing the character of many parts of the
cjtv
Year: 1869

1 was overrnn with people of inquiring
minds, and obliged to go over and over
again, for their pleasure, the routine of
taking and developing the pictures for
a long time I never refused any person
who came to investigate it soon became
apparent, however, that I must either
stop it or cease to support myself, for,
AS a general thing, these savdns, while
greedy themselves for intellectual food,
seemed entirely oblivions to the fact
that I myself was material body
Laughter.


However, can truly say that / have
never refused Intentionally any persons
who desired to have picture takep from
making every examination or inquiry
they chose to make and had / been al
lowed in this examination to have pro-
duced evidence from abroad, could
have shown by scientific men, whose
names would have satisfied every one,
that the most careful and minute exam
nations have often been made into all
the details of ny business while l have
been engaged in taking pictures. l SOL
emnly assert that have now but com
paratively little knowledge of photo
graphy, or chemicals, or science of any
kind, further than is absolutely needed
to take ordinary Photographic pictures.


IF I had been engaged in such nefar-
ious proceedings as l am charged with,
the implements themselves would have
been the strongest evidence against me.
They were not touched. They have
stood ever since in the position they
have always occupied in my gallery, and
for the safety Of others who may here
after be called to occupy my place i'll a
court OF justice, [ sincerely hope that
such proceedings may cease
Year: 1869

ice, and stretching out and drawing in


her arms, invited by her gestures. the sal
| lors to throw themselves into the waves


and strive to reach her. Captain Hack
EFT understood her. He called TO his


mate IN the rigging of the other mast:
| st is our last chance. l will try! II
live, follow me; il drown stay where
| you are!' With great effort he got off
his stiffiy frozen overcoat, paused for
ore moment in silent commendation of


his soul to God, and, throwing himself
| into the waves, struck out for the shore.
Abigail Becker, breast deep in the surf {,
awaited him. He was almost within her
reach when the undertow swept him


lack. By mighty exertion she caught
hold Of him, bore him in her strong


arms out of the water, laying him down
by her fire, warmed his chilled blood


with copious draughts of hot tea. The
mate, who had watched the rescue, now
followed, and the captain, partially res


stored, insisted upon aiding him. AS
the former neared the shore, the recoil-
ing water baffied him. Captain Hackett
caught hold Of him, but the undertow
swept them both away, locked in each
others arms. The brave woman plung-
ed after them, an d, with the strength of
a giantess. bore them, clinging to each
other, to the shore, and up to her fire.
The five sailors followed in succession,
and were all rescued in the same way.


A few days after Captain Hackett and
his crew were taken off Long Point by
a passing vessel; and Abigail Beckett re


sumed her simple daily duties without
dreaming that she had done anything
extraordinary enough to win for her the
worlds notice In her struggle every
day for food and warmtA for her chil-
dren she had no leisure for indulgence
Of self congratulations. Like the wonlan
of Scripture, she had only done what
she could in tue terrible exigency that
had broken the dreary ,nonotony Of her
life.-From the atlantic Monthly for Aag.
Year: 1869

recognized his face Immediately, and
springing back, threw up my hands in
astonishment. The villain gazed stead
lily at me, with sickly smile, which
said palmer than words, that was not
the first victim of misplaced confidence.


A person was Immediately sent to in
form the authorities, who took him into
custody, and afterward sentenced him
to long term in the State penitentiary.


After the excitement had abated, I
retired and slept soundly for the rest Of
the night and was permitted to depart
the next morning, thankful that escap-
ed unharmed from the murderous rascal
and fully resolved never again to place
confidence in an entire stranger, what
ever profession he might represent
Year: 1869

Some of the ading Democratic organs appear to
have been more disturbed than anybody else by the
evils and dangers which the distribution of the offices


is sale to entail upon the Republican party generally
and upon President Grants administration in partic-
uar. One cause of their grief, however, is very ap-
parent. They had hoped-on what ground no one
knowsthat the president, in his of the appoint
ing power, would indicate an intention to separate
himself from the of his supporters, and either
by general reactionary course by certain signf-
icant nominations refusals to nominate, would les
sen the distance between himself and the Democratic
party. He has been the farthest possible from any
thing of the kind. He has made it an indispensable
condition that every nominee should be Republican
in good and regular standing Within that broad pale
he knows cliques dis tinctions. For the first
time in the history of the country colored have
received high Executive appointments while rep
resentative of the Indian race, and prominent
but repentant bels among the nominees, fur


her attest the liberal and advanced principles
which President Ora mt awards the patronage of his
high office.


Ofcourse, then the leaders of the Democratic party
do not like the Presidents nominations and is very
al that they should prognosticate all sorts of
evil effects from their confrmations. We suppose
that everybody knows that the Office distributing pc
riod is always of annoyance to a new admnstra-
ton. But for all that, the democracy would never
hesitate to take command of the Presidency and of
the Senate, if it in their power to do The
truth is the period is like chopping sea, aggrava
ting to md sickening to landsmen, but
really dangerous. Such trials have broken dow n
Presidents physically, but they have injured
any political organization of real stamina. When
enters into a contest with twenty others for a
given Office, he knows that nineteen bound to be
disappointed though he hopes that he will not be
among them. He deliberately takes his chances with
the rest If, therefore, he unduly howls his de-
feat he only provokes the ther than the
sympathy of people in general: Possibly he says
hard things, at first, of the powers at Washington
and hints at boiling such ungreatful party but
he thinks better of it aft bile, and probably SIM
nlers down to a resolution to try it again. Such
grievances never shake party any more than the
idle wind which the old homap regarded not.


The only source of danger is in general run of
bad appointments. AS to that, the result yet
mains to be seen in the present case. So far the
public now knows the appointments, as a whole, up
to the present time, have been Of higher order than
usual. The President has been intent upon selecting,
in all men of unquestionable integrity, and the
Senate has aided him in the endeavor. Some mis-
takes of course, will be made but if the adminisra-
ton finish up the list well it has begun, it
will dispose Of the whole trial with credit and safety
and soon have opportunity to attend to impor-
tant matters.
Year: 1869

and told him of a topper who died while ago from
internal combustion. How did it happen 2 asked
the drinker. I'm trying to blow out candle, the
flames caught his breath, and he burned up Said
the Bourbon lover, here upon my oath pledge my
self never to blow cut q candle long l live =
Year: 1869

There are many otherwise good far


mers who are entirely regardless of lit


tie fixtures, and who devote all their


time to the larger matters. Now we


he Id that while the latter should by all


means be made the main objects OF at


tention, the former should on no ac-


count be neglected, and it is as much


the part OF the thoroughly good farmer


to see to the one as to the other. We
enjoy visiting farm where this atten.,


ton to little matters, this time spent in


"tixing up" is everywhere noticeable,


and in complete keeping with the more,


welghty matters. We like to- see the


Welt built gates instead of bars, barn


doors on rollers instead of hinges, and


fodder racks for sheep instead of feed


ing them on the ground or floor. We


Ii ,e to see all doors to outbuildings pro-


vidcd with hasps, for both fastening
them upon the inside Unnecessary. and
also for securing them back, when open,


from the action of the wind; to see
gate to shut across barn door to keen
out cattle or sheep when the door Is
open; TO find in connection with every
barn or stable closet flor harness or
carriage robes, as we'll as tool-room
for the storage of the larger farm tools
and implements; to find hooks for hang
ing up odd piece of rope, chains, show
els, and the like, and nails for hanging
up she smaller tools and utensils used
upon the farm, as we'll as boxes for the
reception OF old IRON and every sort Of
waste, and a work be nch and tools for
making and repairing all kinds OF farm
implements, lin examining the bull
dings upon farm we find the latter, wo
are also generally sure to find all the
other conveniences suggested above, as
well as many Others it is not necessary
to enumerate. And one hardly knows,
without having tried it, how much the
farmer can accomplish during his spare
hours in the way of fixing up his build--
ings withthese handy Accomplishments.
nor how much they add to the actual
value of the farm, not only for himself
in performing the necessary work upon
it, but in the estimation ofany one WISH
ing to purchase farm. Attention to-
these little matters marks the really
economical, successful farmer


We recently passed the residence Off q
man who would be indignant did we
not class him among the best farmers in
the town where he resides, whose OK
cart was standing by the roadside,'
where it was last used.' and q part OF
whose harrow was visible from beneath
q snow DRIFT in an adjoining field Phey
will be ready when wanted in the
spring, but we fear the example of the
farmer in this matter will be hard to be
by his more eommendable
qualities; and the contrast between kim !,
and the farmer who has all his tools aiftli
implements well housed in his out
or barn cellar, is too striking
to need fun ther illustration --Maine Far.
mer.
Year: 1869

Here is question for young arithme-
ticians, and others, who like to crack
an arithmetical nut now and then. to
try their wits upon:


Two Arabs set down to dinner, and
were accosted by n stranger, who re-
quested to join their party, saying ''that
as he could not get provisions to buy in
that part of the country, if they would
admit him to eat only an equal share
with themselves, he would willingly
pay them tor the WHOLE" The frugal
meal consisted of eight small loaves Of
bread, five Of which belonged to one of
the Arabs, and three to the other. The
stranger having eaten third part of
the eight loaves, arose and laid before
them eight pieces of money saying:-
"My friends, there is what promised;
divide 1t between you according to our
just rights" A dispute, OF course arose
respecting division of the money; but
reference being made to :he cadi, he ad-
Judged seven pieces to the owner of che
o loaves, and only one piece to him who
had owned the three loaves. Yet the
cadi decided justly.