smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

Professor Silliman, of Yale, and a
chemist of merit named Wurtz, have
been long time engaged in the attempt
to utilize water in the manufacture OF
illuminating gas. The method that they
have adopted is thus described by the
New York Evening Post:


The first step is TO bring very highly
heated steam IntOa clay retort, in which
pure anthracite coal is burning. The
coal is purely carbon; the steam, o.
course, consists OF the same elements a.
water; that Is, the two gases, oxygen
anu hydrogen. Now, the oxygen or the
steam combines with the coal carbon,
and forms the gas known as oxide o.
carbon, leaving also the hydrogen gas
free. These two gases are thus pruuuceu
in equal volume. They are both COM
bustible, and burn with an intense heat,
although they give, when burning,
hardly any light.


These gases are then mixed with the
common illuminating gases, made by
distlllIng bituminous coal. The mixture
it Is found by experiment, forms bril-
iiantly burning gas, which is better, in
some respects, than the best of that with
which our houses are usually lighted;
for example, it is more permanent under
exposure to severe COLD. But the main
advantage Is IL the saving of expense.
1t Is plain that this method turns water
and the whole weight of anthracite coal
used, into Illuminating gas, while the
old process yields in gas only the vola-
tile part of the bituminous coal thrown
off in distillation. Unless the new
method involves an enormous expense
for heat and machinery, therefore, the
saving by it must be large.


In point of fact, Messrs. Silliman and
Wurtz assured US that they are able
practically to add fifty per cent. to the
amount of illuminating gas obtained
from given expenditure of coal, or.
what is the same thing, to save one
third of the fuel now used in making
gas. The result has been attained III
their experimental works. erected near
New Haven almost year ago; and it is
understood that the gas works OF thai
city are about to be reconstructed accord
ing to the new method, when it will
have full trial on large scale. Should
their anticipation be confirmed, the re-
suit Will he an important addition to the
comfort of nearly every household in the
land. Indeed, an easy calculation will
show that n saving of one-third in the
cost of artificial light throughout the
United States would be an immediate
contribution to the wealth of the coun-
try actually amounting for the first year
to more than half the interest of the ma
tional debt; and increasing largely every
succeeding year.
Year: 1869

LAST WEEK while two clerks in s. A.
New ans drug store in Rochester were
engaged in drawing alcohol, "a light which
one of the young men held in his hand
came some way in contact with the can,
and the fluid was ignited. In moment
the blaze was communicated to the alco-
hol in the vessel, which contained less
than pint, and fearful explosion fol-
lowed. The head of the can was blown
out and bent double, the leg of stool


vas broken off, as was also the top of
faucet, by the force Of the blow. A sky
light overhead was blown into pieces,
glass partition was shattered, and finally
the large panes of plate glass in one of
the windows were shattered to pieces.
One of the clerks was knocked near
and tumbling over fell into
cellar, and 10y was somewhat burned
about the limbs by the fire, but both new
ertheless escaped without much injury.
Year: 1869

WE do not object to any amount of
gayety or ivacity that lies within
bounds of reason or of health, but we do
object and abhor, as worthy to be stig-
matized as dishonorable and unmanly,
every such course in youth as takes
away strength, vigor and purity from
old age.
Year: 1869

THE Democratic candidate for Gov
ernor of Mississippi appeared upon the
platfrom before the Convention, to re-
tu n thanks for the honor done him in
company with negro delegate. We
fear our Democratic brethren are getting
their principles dreadfully mixed up.
Year: 1869

IT is reported in Boston, says the New
York San, that Mrs. Stowe Is so over
come by the unexpected reception of her
article on Lord Byron that she Is quite
Ill. Domestic Affections and grief are
assigned as the cause of her imprudence
in publishing the article.
Year: 1869

Nor single candidate for office in
Kentucky, at the late election, who had
not been in the Confederate army was
defeated. This is the result over which
the Democrats o. Ohio threw up their
hats, and which they claim as great
Democratic victory" And so it is.
Year: 1869

"IF our Republic be true to herself;
the future of the human race is assured
by our example. No sweep OF over
whelming armies, no ponderous treaties
on the rights of man, no hymns to lln,
erty, though setto martial music ana
resounding with the full diapason OF
million of human throats, can exert so
persuasive an influence as does the spec
tacle of great republic, occupying
quarter of the civilized globe, and gov
erned quietly and sagely by the people
itself Molten
Year: 1869

CURE FOR Low SPIRIrs.-Constant gazing upon
ones self is the cause of nine-tenths of the low
spirits which sour the lives of so mahy other
wise good people. Unless one has lost friend,
or has failed in business, is sick, in love, it
is wicked to have the blues, and even then in
the last three cases it is the most foolish thing
to do. Keep your eyes open for the good things
of the world, and your minds will have less
room for the bad. When you find good thing
seize upon it. Gloat over it as much gained.
'Tis we'll to be enthusiastic over good things. 1t
makes the mind more elastic. 1t is q good sign
when q man is filled with admiration for any
thing. The tendency is to elevate him. keen
sense of the ludicrous is an excellent tonic. We
20 to books for our ideas and enjoyment of life,
when life, the most varied and thrilling, is ali
about US. Let not young man dare to have
the blues. For man on the downhill side of
life to become respondent under the pressure of
repeated disappointment, is one thing, and for
young man to 60 moping and boding over some
evil-fancied or even real lis quite another. It
is s:Christian duty to fight the blues, a. you
would the Devil, WHOSE agents they are:
Year: 1869

HAPPY HoxEs.-How few are those blessed
with good and happy homes competent to ap-
preciate the trials and sufferings of the home
less wanderer on earth's barren and cherries
highway He who has no home, who enjoys
not the fragrance of the hearts summer flowers
of the hearth, who is alone, without wife, or
home, is indeed a stranger in a strange land !;
and yet how many wanderers roam about over
the earth, seeking, but never finding, that rest
and sweet peace for which the soul cries aloud
in its sadness Paine, the author of that beau
tiful song, "Home, Sweet Home,' was one
SUCH No homes happy door opened its well
come invitation to receive the sad spirit which
pined for its rest, and its love and its care. He
was homeless wanderer in the world, and ul-
timately died in a strange land, unknown and
uncared for ; but his soul still cries aloud for
home, sweet home" and thousands of hearts
feel the yearning, and answer his sad spirit, by
intuitive responses, wherever his sweet song is
sung.
Year: 1869

If by the term prospects, as applied to a
young lady, you mean the probability of her get
ting husband, than she whose admirers may be
called Legion, has infinitely poorer prospects
tnan one whose friends of the opposite sex may
De counted on the fingers of single hand.
Now, 1t is true that everybody patronizes the
mode and fashion that everybody else supports,
TOR 1t is the easiest and most natural thing in the
world to "follow the crowd But this is not
to say that young man wants for wife the
girl VINO counts her beaux by the score and her
| conquests by the dozen. 1t is true that every
chicken IN brood will leave good dinner, and
60 IN pursuit of the same object if they see one
OF their number run away with q large-sized
crumb, or after an imaginary worm. But it is not
true that the young man will forsake the modest,
gentle girl, whose society he can enjoy without
rivalry, to compete with score of others for the
company of a young lady whose smiles are free
to all.


| There is, indeed, class of men who pay as
| sduous court to the latter. She generally pos
| sesses many attractions-this pet of society.
Possibly she sings. Invariably she dances.
She is always surrounded by the gayest of the
gay; and in consequence of these advantages,
whether she is pretty or plain, her drawing
room is very agreeable place in which to spend
an evening; or as young gentlemen are won't
to say, " 1t is extremely pleasant to submit one
self occasionally to be handsomely entertained ;





that am looking in that direction for a wife !;
by no means"


Thus these gallants are wont to speak. And,
as rule they are not marrying men. But when
one of them would take to himself a wife, he
goes east, west, north or south anywhere to 6nd
girl unspoiled by society-the one who has not
in his presence played the agreeable to score
of others, and whom be strongly suspects any
one of them could have had for the asking.
The worst thing for girl-unless she. wants
to live and die an old maids to have too many
beanx. She may be pretty, stylish, accom-
pished and graceful-anything you please, it
matters little. The very fact that she has been
the recipient of attention from more men then
she would need to know in the course of life
time, places her on the level of worn-out boot
desirable only to those who cannot get better.
If girls would take the advice of their own sex
as graciously as they take the attentions of the
other, some, at least, would cut loose few of
their worthless acquaintances, and, in the fu-
ture, guard themselves against the addresses of
too many beaux.
Year: 1869

MINING UNDER THE SEA.-The miners life car


hardly be cheerful one, exposed as be is to the
many dangers of explosions, to fre-damp, Of
crumbling walls, of falls down fearful shafts and
the general unhealthfulness of working where
the purifying sunbeams ever excluded. But
mining under the sea must have peculiar trials
and terrors. There is a vast copper mine in
England where shafts extend many hundred
yards under the sea. The moaning of the waves
as they dash against the rock is forever sound
ing in those gloomy aisles. When the storms
come, the sound of the waters becomes so terf-
6c, that even the boldest miners cannot stay be-
low, but leave their work and come out upon
the firm upper earth. Over head are masses of
bright copper, streaming through the gallery in
all directions, traversed by network of thin
red veins of iron, and over all the salt water
drips, drps, down from tiny crevices in the rock.
Immense wealth of metal is contained in these
roofs, but no miner dares give it another stroke
with his pick-axe. Already there has been one
days work too much upon it, as huge wedge
of wood driven into the rock bears witness. The
wedge is all that keeps back the sea from burst
ing in npon them. Yet there are three tiers of
galleries where men work day by day, not know
ing but at some fatal hour the food may be
upon them, rendering all escape as hopeless as
it was in the days of Noah. The awe-stricken
visitor hurries away from the scene, with heart
appalled, in view of the hourly dangers. Who
could win money at such risk, with the sulen
roar of ocean forever sounding its warning in his
ears?
Year: 1869

PUDDINGs AND PIEs.-Americans as a rule,
prefer pies to puddings; Englishmen don't, and
this is one reason why dyspepsia is less preva-
lent in England than in America. If pies were
abolished from the national bill of fare the ma
tional stomach would be easier and "the most
enlightened people under the sum- would sleep
better O. nights and be less troubled with that
''all gone sensation" in the region of the duode.
which SO many patent medicines make
promise to cure-their promises, like pie crust,
being made only to be broken. 1t would be diff
fcult for the ingenuity of woman to concoct out
of wholesome materials anything more thor
oughly indigestible than an American pie. Even
light pastry does not yield readily to the solvent
power of the gastric juice, but the sodden stuff
which forms the sides and flooring of the cuin.
ary structure in question, resist the chemical
action Of that animal acid almost as obstinately
as so much leather. If we must have pies, why
not have them made on Mother Bulls plan with
merely top-dressng of pastry and no under
crust or side-crust? A vigorous stomach may
dispose without much difficulty of the wafery
lid of pie, but not without a sharp struggle Of
the thick, mosture-logged pati.serie underneath.
Yet tens of thousands of us lunch on this sort of
pabulum every day, and most of us-such is the
force of evil habit-would consider dinner fail
ure if it were lacking. Away with the dyspep-
tic dainty parent of fatuleucy, heartburn,
headache and nightmare Let it be expunged
from the carte, and pudding, a real nourisher at
life's feast, installed in its stead.
Year: 1869

1T HAS BEEN stated that the House Of Repre-.
sentatives takes part with the Senate in the
election Of Superintendent Of Public Printing.
This is an error. The Superintendent is held
to be an officer Of the Senate.
Year: 1869

THR PRESIDENT, in conversation with q
prominent Senator a few days since, declared
that 1t was his intention not to send in any
nominations OF importance until definite &C.
.ion was taken by Congress upon the tenure
Of OF
Year: 1869

Do not delay procuring and Immediately taking
Goes Cough Balsam. when troubled with any OF the
above named difficulties They are all prenonitory
symptoms OF Consumption, and If not arrested, win
sooner or later sweep you away into the valley Of
shadows from which none can ever return.
Year: 1869

A dollar saved is dollar made,
Or another dollar left to trade.
Dollars thus saved will soon pile high,
For you richer get the more you buy;
At least 90 tho good people sey
Who trade with L.. B. b OK.
Year: 1869

We being modest firm and not given to blow
ing, would like TO know how large . round,
square or cube meal is; we give men al they
want for Forty cents and team TO hay in tho bar.
gain. Also Fresh Oysters received twice week,
warranted, and game in season, got mp in any
style at all hours. Try Us. Exchange Hotel
and Coffee House, Formulas & Wade.
Year: 1869

The PREss BALL.-The Peabody Bali
given at the White Sulphur Springs not
long since was very grand affair, but the
coming Press Ball, on Tuesday evening
next, promises to eclipse It. We hear Of
many persons going from this city, and the
press generally of the State and country
will be well represented. Persons wishing
to go can, by starting tomorrow morning,
get to the White just at the first flush Of
the occasion. Excursion tickets, good for
four days, $l5 for the round trip.
Year: 1869

FURTHER MODIFICATION OF THE STAY
LAw.-Gencral Candy has issued the fol-
lowing modification of his order of June
last in reference to the stay law:


HEADQUARTERS FIRST MILITARY DISTRICT


% STATE VIRGINIA
Year: 1869

The reason that 1 blush, love, whene'er look


at you,
Is that see my own heart, your brown eyes


shining through
And then ! get frightened that have given


ALL
That if could. 1 would. so quick my truant


heart recall.
Whene'er l put my hand in yours tits terrible,


my sweet,
But oh! my heart leaps into it to try your own


to meet
And then, again. try to be so brave, and


strong and wise;
But oh! cannot help the JOY that meets mine


in your eyes.
Whene'er the night is kissing the day, listen so
10 hear if you are coming, and 1 cannot stop


the glow
That covers all my face and soul-it is so sweet,


so dear
10 feel, to know your coming-to have YOU,


have you here.
Oh! world; oh! world of happiness! oh blessed


earth of joy!
There is no shadow in your sun, no drop Of


pains alloy
1 wonder in that other world, that dear one up


above,
II anything is half 80 sweet as to be loved and


love?
Year: 1869

feet of Broadway, by any one who will
take trouble to look through the iron rail
ing. The last time We glanced at the slab.
now almost imbedded in the ground, We
saw several sparrows taking bath il the
water which had collected in the excava-
tion from which the Williams removed the
plate and other little songsters were
singing a requiem over her grave-near


which we We're gratifed to observe a forget
me-not, doubtless planted there by some
kind heart who in childhood had wept
over the sad and romantic story Of the
bereaYe} girl .IOurn0L
Year: 1869

Halt Your money or your life. Throw
up your hands, exclaimed stranger, step
ping out from the shadow, while accompany
ing the words might plainly be heard the
sharp click of pistol. The person address
ed was a weary newspaper man, vending his
lonely way homeward in the outskirts of the
city at about three clock tn other morning.
''Oh, yes, certainly; IN in no hurry
Only walking for exercise. Just as soon
hold up my hands as not I'm not armed
Please turn that little to one side. 1t
makes me nervous


Hand over your cash. !"
Haven't na red with me. You see
they took that all away from me when they
entered my name on the books


"Where did they take your money from
you =


''Oh. yes why Al the Pest II H)use You
see L IN small pox patient, just ont for ex-
ercise They wouldn't let me walk about in
daylight with my face 10 this condition, so
have to go it after dark and late at night
when the streets are empty By the way,
stranger, the wind is rather in your direction
and unless you amt particular about it, it
might be just as well to stand on the other
side I've got my old silver watch though.
If you want it come and take it. You re
at liberty to search me if you like, only
don point that pistol his way, it's uncom
fortable-d'ye want the watch p


mo, thank you. said the robber, back
ing away and around towards the other side.
II couldn't take anything from man as
unfortunate A. you are Here IS a half dol
Lar for you, poor fellow Go get something
to drink Il d he threw the coin towards
him, still backing off Now" said he,
YOU turn back and 90 around the block the
other way. A. you are only walking for ex
erciSe, it won't incommode you.


oh, not particle I'd just as as soon
walk with you. if you desire it. Either
way, though it's all the same TO me. Thank
you for the half Won't you join me and
drink to my recovery?


We'll you gu round the block the other
way, and "a haven't hurt you.say nothing
about having met me- [ guess II go this
way." aud then watching till the supposed
small pox patient turned the corner, he
started off on full run in the opposite di
recton.


The newspaper man proceeded homeward
undisturbed, and slept the sleep of one who
enioys the consciousness of having done
good thing, and fo1r bits better off for hav-
ing met highwayman.
Year: 1869

The following purports to be told by a
husband of his loving little wife and ex eel
lent housekeeper: One day the wife moved
her low rocking chair close to her husband S
side. He was reading. She placed her
dear little hand lovingly on his arm, and
moved it along softly toward his coat collar.
He felt nice all over. He certainly expect
ed kiss. She moved her hand up and down
his coat sleeve. Husband" said she
"What, my dear?'' Il was just thinking
how nicely this suit of clothes you have on
would work into a rag carpet" The hus-
band felt cross all day, the disappointment
was so very great
Year: 1869

Never put off till to morrow what you
can do to-day" said an advising mother to
her little son. ''Well, then, mamma, let us
eat the raspberry pie that is in the cupboard,
was the child precocious reply.
Year: 1869

but so FAR as dinner was concerned, Lii
might as well have gone to church.


Bridget got it all right, and l think it wa.
about the happiest one we ever did eat


Happiness is contagious, and there was
enough of it in Lizzie's eyes alone to have
inocuated whole regiment with Joy.


believe Clara saw the state of affairs a;
once and shared Lizzie's joy to the creates,
possible degree


Father and mother seemed TO accept the
EZRA OF good feeling, without explanation,
while Bob was insane.


He asked father about the sermon, and
on being assured that it was an excellent
one, said he weuld take little of it.


Father asked him. What" and he said
potatoes


He helped himself to spoonful, and then
deliberately took spoonful of butter.


Mother Significantly asked him if he
thought smoking agreed with him, and he
told her yes, he considered it a delightful
ful exercise; and as he gave her this novel
assurance, he reached for the molasses and
poured it over his potatoes and butter.


This was too much for Clara and me, and
we burst into an uncomfortable fit of laugh
ter, which recalled Bob to his senses ; and
blushing crimson, he confessed that he was
absent minded, as ne had just been able to
see his way clear in matter which had
troubled him for months.


He then heartily joined in the general
laugh at his mistakes Lizzie Joining in,
and bushing pink accompaniment to his
deep crimson flush.


Bob and father took smoke in the Office
that afternoon, and mother and the girls
held conference in the parlor | took
walk.


When l came back Clara said, You re a
gump."


Without any idea of what that might be-
| meekly assented, and said, Il had no idea
of what was coming; | thought Bob want
ed you instead of Lib"


You're all the worse gump for that,
said she; ''and for fear you can't see some
thing else in time, III tell you now that 1
am engaged to Mr.. Bayne.


thought the marrying days of the year
had come, and | went off to my room to in
dulge in delightful dream Of my own mar
riage, in the far-off future with Maggie
Cranston.


Five years have passed since then. Clara
and Lizzie got married, of course, and |
stood up at their weddings Clara keeps
house. Bob and Lizzie still live at our
house, and father insists that they always
shall


do not think Jim Bayne so stupid as
once did. Three years in the fish and oil
business as junior member of the firm of
Martin & Son, have damaged my poetic en-
thusiasm. while Bayne's seem somehow or
other on the increase


have not married Maggie Cranston. In
fact do not know her. We did not keep
our acquaintance long after she left the
boarding school where she was when [ so
fully expected to marry her, and thought
could not get along without her.


[ am still youthful bachelor, awaiting
an opportunity TO quarrel with some young
lady, as Bob Carver did with our Lizzie;
but L don't want any nineteen yearold
brothers on hand at the reconciliation.
Year: 1869

In a certain village the editor Of local
newspaper had a room at the hotel. Being
absent one night and the house being crowd
ed, the landlord put stranger in his bed.
The next morning the following lines were
found in the room:


[ slept in the editor bed last night,
And others may say what they please
say there one editor in the world
That certainly takes his ease.
When | thought of my humble cot, away,
| could not suppress sigh,
But thought, as [ rolled in the feathery
Ho,o easily editors lie.
The editor, after some inquiries of the
landlord, made the following addition
The chap whose form, has rested here,
And lett his cOpy behind,
For bad impression should be locked up,
As the cut is most unklnd.
Behold proof Of hou he lies;


In the morning he went away,
And ike many that use an editors sheet,
Has forgotten the bill to pay.


----- 80 ----
IT'S we'll to walk with cheerful heart,
Wherever our duties call,
With friendly glance and open hand,
And gentle word for all.
Since life is a thorny and difficult path,
Where toll is the portion of man,
We all should endeavor while passing


along,


To make it as smooth as we can.