smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1860




Tempted by the loveliness Of the weather
yesterday and the clearness Of the atmos-
phere. we ascended to the roof Of one OF our
tallest buildings. in order to enjoy the pros
pect That it may tempt some one else to
the like luxury, Qor we like to see people
happy,) we venture to partially linn out
what we saw.


First, the dull roofs of surrounding build
ings. and the familiar domes and steeples of
the city. Next the green, far stretch of the
plains. bounded 10y the distant hills and these
by the snow>covered mountains enwreathng
them as the white arm of Beauty the thing
that it loves. Next. the blue line of the
Coast Range, the picture of silence and re
pose, though the mighty Pacific thunders at
their base. Travelling backward to US again
the rapid vision, (swirter than the wing o.
yon ebon bird blotting the sky) alghts upor
the tall SUBMITS Of the Buttes, and gdes II
rapture adown their smoothly-shaven sides
rich. hued with the greenness of the Spring
and scars again to their rocky tops Far off
in the openings of the trees, we catch, a
times, silver giimpses Of the winding Rive
/ of the Plumes, its bright waves shooting il
the sunlight with the swiftness Of the feath
cred arrow spriugng from the bow. BY
some lovely rural home upon its banks, w
can dimly see in the open space the motion
Of the lonesome looking windmill" as i
turns, mysterious in the distance, in well de
fined distinetness against the sky, like whee
Of fate, in the broad realm of Stiffness aroun,
it looking as silent and inscrutabe as i
it were measuring the ineXorable roll of tn
eternal years. Still sweeping, with rapio
glance, the wide and varied scene, and near
ing the city, as we look, the eye is arrested
by the sudden white of the Marysvill,
Cemetery" and we start at the recognition
in the midst of all this surrounding life anC
beauty, of the marble monitors of death
Palely cleaning in the sun, how cold they
look in the warm face of tie bending hea-
ven, and how they mock the living glory o
the world around


So much for an ineonceivably beautiful
and striking prospect the picture of whicl
we leave unfinished, because no pen, and fal
less ours, can do it justice We should i'm
agine that the view from the steeple of the
new Presbyterian Church must be ever
finer.
Year: 1860

SILVER MINES NEAR CLEAR LAKE-A cor
respondent of the National, writing from
Clear Lake Napa county, under date Of
March Sth' says: Within few days past a
ledge Of rich silver ore has been discovered
IN tins region 1t is said by competent judges
to be far richer than the st. Helena ore and
1t Is even stated that miners who have Wis
tied Washoe are Of opinion that this region
Of country will prove equally rich in silver.
Year: 1860

In buying watch, choose lever, if you
can afford it, and let it be as good as you real
" can afford Buy it of a man who has n
character to loose; and to whom you can look
for redress in case of failure. Be suspicious
of cheapness, and do not put too much in
guarantees for a year, or two years; because
u himsy made watch may go for year or two
tolerably we'll and yet, before you have worn
it five, may have cost you twice its value in
repairs, and prove torment and deluder in
stead Of an honest friend and guide In ma
king your selection, do not be ledby ornament
by fancy backs or dials, or "jewelling in ten
holes" Ten holes may be jewelled for n
guinea, and the watch none the better for it.
With respectable maker, the absence of
needless ornament is often q coneomtant of
superior work.


Having bought your watch, remember it is
worth taking care Of Wind as nearly as pos
sible at the same time every day, preferring
the morning to the evening Avoid sudden
jerks in winding, and do not turn the watch
while you are turning the key; but hold it
firm and steady. Keep the key in good con-
dition free from dust and crack; it is not a
bad plan to plug the orifce; particle of
dust or rust in the key may get into the watch,
and put you to the expense Of an extra clean
ing. Keep the key in your bedroom not in
your pocket


When watch is hung up, it should be sup
ported and at rest, when laid horizontally, it
should rest on a soft substance for support, or
the motion of the balance may generate a
pendulous molten of the Wheels causing a
variation in time.


When watch varies from atmospheric in
huences, or from some change in the mode OF
wearing it, the hands may be occasionally set
right, but the regulator should not be touched;
if the watch gains or looses continuously, then
the regulator should be altered; but it should
be delicatey handled, and moved but little
at time. In setting the hands, II is best to
set them forwards In watches set or regula-
ted at the back, the glass should not be open
ed at all The watch-pocket should at all
times be kept free from dust and accumula-
tons of every kind


Two years is quite long enough to keep a
watch without cleaning. Ifyou cannot con-
sign it for that purpose to the hands of the
maker, intrust it only TO some responsible per-
son The very best watches are often ruined
by the hands of laundering and incapable
workmen, while even n bad watch may be
made, by the treatment of clever artist, to
perform tolerably well


Lastly, take lesson from your watch. That
little machine, If you have taken the above nd
vice regarding it, will be found constantly do
ing its duty DO you the same; work on with
your life's work as that does, "unhesitating
and unresisting" Let it teach you regulari-
| ty and punctuality so shall you not be asbam-
ed to look it in the face, and be enabled when
your hours are all numbered, to give a good
account of the time intrusted to your keeping.
Year: 1860

A PET RAVENS ATTEMPT AT NEST
BUILDING.-A propensity came over him
every spring to build nest He knew no
more about the ant of building than if he
had four feet instead of two, and had worn
hair instead of feathers but always about
the same time of the year he became very
mysterious, and very much occupied with
some business of his own. He was observed
to collect sticks, and resort much to the
under framework of an open thached roof
which protected shed. Here, in fact, he
slept at all reasons of the year, and the
place might be called bis residence
Here, then, he brought his sticks, impelled
most probably by dim vision that some-
thing more than usually domestic was to be
done. But sticks, though collected in large
quantities, were laid out in all directions,
without the least approach to cOmpactness
of form. 1 believe he was himself aware
of the bad job be was making of it, for
nothing could vex him more than for US tc
90 and look at his nest; SO of course We
went accordingly. He evidently knew il


was wrong, but did not know how to maxi
it right; and when we approached the place
he was both angry and embarrassed, exhibit
Ing every appearance of being exceedingl!
ashamed of what he was about. Perhap
the building partner was wanting in tn


concern, and so the nest-making never ad
vanced beyond the mere collecting of th
raw material
Year: 1860

A PERILous STUATIoN.-We clip the
following from the Cincinnati Gazette;


On the Indiana ana Cincinnati railroad a
pleasant PARTY rode short distance, when
they allghted, and stood around on the
small platform, covering it completed y, watt
ing to see the cars move before leaving for
the woods Just as the train started, the
skeleton skirt OF one Of the young ladies,
who happened to be standing near the train,
caught on nut on the side OF one of the
Gals, throwing her from her feet Very for
tunately, the train was moving quite slowly
at the time, or tie consequences might have
been more serious, As it was, the young
lady was pretty roughly used A stout man
| in the party, seeing her condition, at once
raised her in his arms, and pulled with all


his strength, endeavoriug 10 tear her loose


but the skirt was both strong aud firmly
fastened, and not unit all the girls undeIs
clothing was pulled from her body, and her


dress tore to threads, did he succeed All


this transpred while the train was moving


a distance Of twenty OF thirty feet when
the conductor saw the danger, and instantly


checked its motion. Indeed, the girl was


not entirely released until the train had


stopped After the excitement of the mo-


ment had passed, it was discovered that the
soes of both the girls shoes, by the resist
ance she had offered the train, had been
completely stripped away, leaving the up
peEs on her feet. Strange to say, she es
capped without any FERROUS injury. She was
Immediately eucircled by number of bel
! female friends, who conveyed her to the
village, where her wants were properly at
E E tended to.
Year: 1860

SUCCESSFUL TERMINATION OF A SUIT
FOR BREcn OF PRoMIsE.-A young attor-
ney of Mobile was engaged by lady few
DAYS ago, who visited his Office for the pur-
pose, to bring suit against gentleman
for breach of marriage contract. The nup-
tials we're to have been consummated the
evening before, and somehow (says the
Mercury the gentleman forgot to come to
time. The lady was prompt to demand her
legal remedies, (she was widow,) and, as
we said, called upon our attorney yesterday,
at his Office, who forthhith Instituted pro-
ceedings by making out the necessary pa
pers, laying the damage at $4,000 Hay
ing to 90 out on the street for something
connected with the suit, our attorney came
up with the defendant, who expressed de'
cided disrelish for the law proceeding, al
the same time excusing himself of the non
performance of his contract the evening
before, which was unintentiona, and the
result of forgetfulness. The attorney told
him he thought he could avoid the suit yet
that the injured lady was then in his office
and be thought she would accept the per
formance of his original contract in full
satisfaction for the injury, and invited hin
to walk up and try to negotiate peace
The lady was not difficult to persuade t
take him instead of the $4,000; the a:tor
ney was obliging and left them for FEY
minutes to indulge together their blissfu
anticipations, while he went for licens
and Justice. The obliging attorney the
procured carriage for them, and sent thel
down to the City Hotel to taste the fri
sweets of the honeymoon.
Year: 1860

STYE ON THE EYELID.-A correspondent
of the Cincinnati Enquierer sends the fol-
lowing remedy, which she says she can
vouch for:


Put teaspoonful of black tea in a small
bag pour on to it just enough boiling watel
to moisten it; then put it on the eye pretty
warm. Keep it on all night, and in tht
morning the stye will most likely be gone.
if not, second application is certain to re
move it,


A lotion made Of sugar of lead and rc''
water will have the same effect.
Year: 1860

How sweet to remember the pleasure gone by,
The time Of our boyhood and glee;
What bosom but swels with half choking sigh,
When in manhood our old haunts we see?
But sweetest and dearest of all to the heart,
When might throws her shadows BEFORE
Are those days which we spent with juvenile art,
Sliding down on the Old Cellar Door.
How brightly it shone in the gay summer sun,
How sweetly it smiles at our side;
And the nails seem to laugh and encourage the


fun,


And over their smooth heads we'd glide.
They, too, oft deceived u.s. and stayed our career;
Oft our trowsers maciously tore
Turned our joys to distress and our smiles to q


tear,


Those nails in that Old Cellar Door
Year: 1860

throwing in remark or two just to keep the
stream of conversation flowing, for they had
great many things to tell US. Their place was
called the Forclay, and the Gems R RArme
was stationed to 0'scc passports, and collect
franc from every traveller


Next morning, after sweet sleep, and
nice breakfast of coffee, bread and butter, hon
ey and cheese, we passed on through the rain
to the Col de Botme, where we were promised
what is considered the finest view of Mount
Blanc, but near the top, as we were going over
some small glaciers it commenced showing at
such rate as to cut OFF the view entirely, and
almost prevent our progress; this too on the
2lst of August At the little tavern on top
OF the mountain, exactly on the boundary of
Switzerland and Savoy, (now part of Francc)
we were very glad to get something to eat and
some good hot coffee, even if we did pay an
eXorbitant price for it, After resting an hour
or two, the storm meanwhile increasing, we
sat out down the mountain, and in few hours
passed from the region of snow into that of
rain, where we saw a number of herdsmcn
with hundreds of cattle, every one of which
had bell on. The hcrdsmcn had on great
skin clooks, and were pcrchcd upon the rocks
like so many owls in the day time.


Adicu until your next 3.
Year: 1860




Beside the hearth there is an hour of dreaming
a y calm and pcnsve solitude of soul
When life ana death have each another seeming
Aud thoughts nrc with us owning no control
These are the spirits. Memory's revealing;
In deep solemnity they rise and fall
Shrouding the living present. and concealng
The world around us-Shodows on the Wall
hopes like the leaves and blossoms. rudcly shaken
l}y cruel winds Of winter from the trco
VI our existence phaptoihs that awaken
Wild passing CLEANS of joys young ccstacy;
And Love, once kind and tenderly outpourng
Her wine into our souls. may recall
And find them dear and ever hcavcnward soaring
Though only now MS Shadows on the Wall.
Old clasping hands, old friendships and affections
Once bodied forms. beside us on the earth
Come back to haunt us, ghostly rccollectons
win mystic converse by the silent hearth
Yet these are kindly spirits. and retiring
Draw their long shadows slowly from the wall
And visit us in peace and gcncness inspiring
hope that brings the sunshine after ALL
Year: 1860

We have just printed at this Office
three forms Of new blanks, which should be in
the hands Of every attorney One is an "Afhda-
Wit for Publication, Foreclosure" another an
Affidavit Of Publication and Mailing" and
the other is an "Order for Publication
Year: 1860

We NOTICE in the court yard, back of
the Post Office building, very fine peddling
wagon, on the hind end of which is painted
the following: l.. Wolf, Davenport, iowa.
The State Of "Jova" is not on our map can
anybody inform us where it 10 situated
Year: 1860

WE can assure our friends who arc
in want of sny ythng in the line of clothing that
they cannot do better than to call at the well
known and popular establishment Of r. Krause
d Co.. No. SO, west second streets. Their stock
is one Of the finest ever brought to this market
and i. will be cold off at very low figures
Clothing Of all kinds cut in the latest style and
madet to order Remember No SO, west second
street.
Year: 1860

A MAN named Humphrey, Pixies
Peak emigrant. was arrested yesterday and
taken before Justice Claussen, charged with
getting intoxicated and abusing several Ger
man ladies residing in the lower part Of town.
The Justice, after hearing the testimony, came
to the conclusion that as he had got drunk on
beer he would fine him three dollars and costs
in all amounting to S665 Had Mr.. H. got
drunk on whiskey he would have probably
been plucked of an even X
Year: 1860

Devastating fires often occur on the prairie
fields of the West. We have no means of
determining at what period the fires began to
sweep over these plains because we know not
when they began to he inhabited 1t is quite
possible that they might have been occasion
ally fired by lightning previous to the intro


duction OF that element by human agency
A all events, it is very evident, that as soon
as fire began to be used in this country by its
inhabitants, the annual burning of the prairie
must have commenced. One of the peculiari


ties of the climate is the dryneSs of its summers
and autumnS. A drought often commences
in August, which, with the exception of few
showers towards the close of that month, con-
tinues throughout the fall season. The i'm
menSe mass of vegetation with which this fer
tile soil loads itself during the summer, is sud
denly wlthered, and the whole surface of the
earth is covered with combuStible Materials
This is especially true of the prairieS, where
the grass grows to the height of from six to
ten feet and being entirely exposed to the
sun and winds, dries, with great rapidity. A
single spark of fire falling anywhere upon the
plains, at such time, would instantly kindle
blaze which would spread on every side, and
cOutnue its destructive course as long as it
should find fuel Travelets hare described
these fires as sweeping with a rapdity which
renders it hazardous TO fly before them. Such
is not the case, or is true only in few rare
instances. The thick sward of the prairie
presents considerable mass of fuel, and Of
fcrs a barrier TO the progress of the fame,
which is not easily surmounted. The fire ad
yanceS slowly, and with power. The heat is
intense. The flames often extend across a
wide prairie and advance in long line


No sight can be more sui lime than to behold
in the night q stream of several miles in
breadth advancing across these wide plains,
leaving behind it black cloud of smoke, and
throwing before it vivid glare, which lights
up the whole landscape with the brilancy of
MONDAY. A roaring and cracking sound is
heard like the rushing of a hurricane. The
fame, which in general rises to the height of
abonJ twenty feet, is seen sinking and dartng
upwards in spires, precisely as the waves dash
against each other, and as the spray flies up
into the air and the whole appearance is
often that Of boiling and flaming sea violent
ly agtated. The progress of the fire is slow,
and the heat 50 great that every cOmbuStible
object in its course is consumed. Wo to the
farmer whose ripe corn-felds extend into the
prairie, and who suffers the tall grass to grow
in contact with his fences The whole labor
Of the year is swept away in a few hours. Bat
such accidents are comparatively unfrequent,
as the preventive is simple, aud easily applied.
Year: 1860

Mr.. E. o. GooDMcH, SU:-Seeing that
you devote q small portion of your paper to
the interest of the farmers, l. in behalf of
them, would like to offer few suggestions
upon fattening beeves


First, so as TO have the commencement right
i would say put them in good 1oarm stable,
then give them small mess to commence
with, of such food as you think best-as every
one has choice as TO feed But by all means
don't be in such haste as to "cloy" them by
over feed" for in that case ones loss is more
than his gain.


Secondly, feed them at regular hours, and
between their messes of grain, give them plenty
of first rate hay. Thirdly, let them out of
the stable but once day, and let them stay
out two or three hours, that they mag exercise
all they wish Also give them free access to
go0d pure aoater. Fourthly, should they get
off their feed give change of food" it
would be better to change the food once in a
while at any rate, give salt at least once a
week keep them we'll bedded so that they
will be warm aud clean, and my word for it,
if you follow these directions, you will have
beef good enough for the President try it
farmers. Respectfully, Yours,


WOODEN JoHN
Walnut farm Athens Ian 1850
Year: 1860

is truly beautiful, being mountainous and line
ly wooded a great deal of the land is horti-
culturally cultivated. In fact, the scenery is
grand and abounds in lovely sites for villas !;
but although this charm is wanting, it is love-
ly to behold as it is, and [ believe is green all
the year, as the winter in this part of japan
is not severe Very different from Shanghae,
where the winters are very cold, and we shall
probably get tase of it. as we shall proba-
bly, be running betweed these places all winter,
for by the captains uniform kindness to his
passengers he has fairly got into the good
graces of the Cinnamon who are trading here,
and they seem anxious to keep him here
You will be surprised when | tell you that our
last cargo was principally owned by the Chi
nese deck passengers but strange as this may
seem, they d. not think of travelling in any
other way. There are many pretty things to
be bought here, and we will try to procure
something pleasing to send you The porce-


lain and lacquer ware is finished most exqui
sitely, but a good purse is necessary, as the
manufactures, have much advanced since the
admission of foreigners. BY the way, when
speaking of the Japan women, | forgot to
mention that they have a very strange way of
arranging their hair it appears to be stilfen-
ed in some way, and there is frame work
which holds it off from the head, secured at
the back (this | discovered at the house we
were visiting on Thursday,) and then it made
mp into.bows and dressed with hair pins, and
ornaments After marriage they bIacken
their teeth to a Jet blacknesS, and their nails
are sometimes colored pink, &c.
Year: 1860

"Take time by the forelock" is as good a
maxim for farmers as for others While there
are some kinds of iaDOr that can only be per-
formed at particular seasons there are others
that can be done at any time, when the
weather favorS out door operations. The
Spring, in all the northern part of our country
is a very brief season, and upon the farm, it is
usually over crowded with work Slack farm.
erS especially, leave every thing to this season.
The manure is not carted uatil the ground is
settled the pIowing is put off till May, and
the planting until June; the potatoes and
oats that flourish best in cool weather, are
forced to mature in the heat of dogdayS aud
rot, rust, and smut are oftea the result OF the
late sowing and planting.


Something can be dole even at this season,
to help on the spring work. The wood house
is or ought to be already filed so that the ak
will not need to be lifted to prepare fuel from
March to December A good part of the
manure can be carted now, much better than
in planting time. The ground is now frozen
so that the cart path to the field to be Dlowed
is soon worn as smooth as a railroad. 1t will
be Il much less tax upon the strength of
team to draw a hundred loads Of manure now,
than to do it in April, when the team is press

ed with plowing and other farm work It is
pretty yell established now, that yard mt1nre
prepared in the usual way with muck and !dam
does not lose much of its value, when piled
UP in Winter in large heaps in the field where
it is to be used. From our own experience we
do not think green stable manure would he
injured by the same treatment, if it were well
mixed in the field with muck or peat The
piles should be made long, narrow, and high,
say Eve or six feet SO as TO shed part of the
rain.


/: any of the meadows are to be dressed
with fine compost, there is no better time than
the preSent to do it, The sward will net be
cut up, and the warm Spring rains will carry
down the fertilizing properties Of the manure
to the roots of plants, This must not be done
however, on rolling land, or on steep hill sides
where the rains would wash off part of the ma
nure before the frost comes ont Of the ground


A large portion of the Spring work can be
anticipated before Winter breaks up, and then
the farmer can seize upon the best time TO plant
and sow, and drive his work all through the
season instead of being driven.