smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1868

A Western editor thus describes the effect
produced by the numerous foundries, iron
works, &C., at Pittsburgh, Penn:


Pittsburgh people never have fresh air ex-
cept when out of town. They live on coal
smoke and floating cnders Weinhaled seven
tons Of coal the first hour we were there. The
people breathe smoke, eat smoke, chew smoke
and carry it loose In their pockets. II Is now
seventy-two years since Pittsburgh has been
warmed or reached by the suns rays. Once a
streak of sunshine for several years condensing,
undertook to penetrate the cloud Of smoke over
the city, got lost, became smoked, and fell like
a standing edition Of the Black Crook


The ladies use smoke and coal dust to pro-
tect their complexion. Little boys and girls
stand on the corners with wet brooms and
sponges to wash the peoples faces for five
cents. Everybody is Of color in Pittsburgh
At the post-ofTice window the clerk dstin-
guishes people by certain signs, 1t being i'm
possible to see their faces for the layers Of smoke
and coal dust. We saw little boy crying on
the street because he had lost his father, who
was six feet ahead of him 10 all the blackness.


Every one wears mourning in Pittsburgh
A barber once went there TO color hair and
whiskers. He NOR n busted in week. Men
kiss each others wives in Pittsburgh, unable
to tell which is their own only by the TASTE
Women send children on errands, first writing
on their faces with a thumb nail or wet stick.
People feel their way by door knobs, and read
by raised type. A man once stood in bis room
with the window raised-changed his shirt
nine times in four minutes, and only got a
clean one on him when the window fell by ac-
cident and kept the smoke ont. Meet man
with cold who has been blowing his nose and
that organ looks like burnt stump on each
side of which a voodchuck has been burrowing.
A white man there once accused his wife Of
presenting him with niger baby--she proved
her innocence Of so loyal whose bin here
by plunsing the little innocent into a cistern
with a, lantern tied to bis neck. The husband
saw dimly, recognized Saxon cuticle, clasped
his wife to his bosom and held her there 50
long in joyful embrace that the little cuss in
the cistern was drowncd-the lamp went out
and the boy was lost forever.


Bed clothes are unknown in Pittsburgh
leave the window open and sheets Of smoke
settle upon you like newspapers from ma
chine press Some years since, some snow
fell into the city through the cloud Of smoke
the smoke was not hurt, but the snow looked
sick Men carry lanterns to see TO shake
hands. When looking at watch to see the
hour. it is the fashion to light match
They make black broadcloth by hanging a
spiders web out till filled with smoke, and use
hot coal dust for pepper. They roll the smoke,
sweetened, in sticks and sell it for hcorice
Year: 1868

Many persons feed hens too much for lay
ing. To keep twenty hens through the win
ter, give three plnts Of corn and two Of oats or
buckwheat per day also, about twice week,
give them shorts or bran wet. and put in
large spoonful Of ground black pepper. Give
them all the green stuff that can be had-such
as cabbage leaves, parings Of apples, cores and
all, etc. SO fed, with comfortable quarters,
they will lay all winter. Keep only early
spring pullets. Change cocks every spriDg.-
In proof Of the above, We will observe that a
neighbor had among lot Of hens one that
would not lay under any circumstances and
as such hens are not profitable TO keep she was
considered fit subject for the pot. On dress
ing, she was found TO be literally filed with
fat, instead Of egg oyaries.
Year: 1868

There resides In certain city an old gen.
tleman, who had an only daughter, possessed
of the highest attractions-morsi, personal aud
pecuniary. She was engaged to young man
as well off in worldly goods as herself. They
were all and all to each other, and the day was
fixed for the union. Some two weeks previ-
Gus to the time appointed for the wedding, the
espoused attended soiree, at which quarrel
occurred between them in consequence Of his
paving more attention than she thought justi-
fable to young lady with sparkling eyes and
inimitable rngle;s The gentleman retorted,
aud spoke lightly of certain cousin, whose
wastcoat was the admiration Of the assembly,
and which it was hinted darkly, had been en-
broidered by the fair hand Of the heiress in
question. He added, in conclusion, that it
would be time enough for him to be scolded
when they were married, and that he thought
she had adopted certain portion Of male at
tire" little too soon.


After supper both the lovers had become
more cool; iced champagne and cold chicken
had done their work aud leave was taken by
the bridegroom in posse, in kindly and affec-
tionate, if not in such enthusiastic terms as had
previously marked their meeting.


On the next morning theswan thought with
some remorse on the angry feeling he had eI-
hibited, and on the cutting sarcasm with which
he gave it vent; and as part Of the dmends
honorable, packed up with great care mag
nificent satin dress, which he had previously
bespoken for his beloved, and which had been
sent home to him in the interval, and trans
mitted it to the lady with a note to the follow
ing effect:


DEAREST: I have been unable to close my
eyes all night, in consequence OF thinking OF
our foolish misunderstanding last evening"
PRAY pardon me, and in token of your forgive
ness, deign to accept the accompanying dress,
and wear it for the sake Of your afectionate,


-"


Having written the note, he gave II to- boy
to deliver. But, as q pair Of unmentionables
wanted repairing, he sent them TO the tailor by

the same messenger. The inevitable contre-
temps the reader will at once anticipate. Yet,
the boy made the fatal blunderi he left the
satin dress with the tailor, aud the note, to-
gether with the dilapidated habilimcnt, at the
residence of the lady. Her indignation was
neither to be described nor appeascd. So eI-
aspcrated was she at what she considered q de-
termined and deliberate affront, that when her
admirer called, she ordered the door to be
closed in his face refused to listen to an expla-
nation, and resolutely broke of the match
Before many weeks elapsed, means were found
to make her acquainted with the history Of the
Objectionable present; but she nevertheless ad-
hered firmly to her resolve-deeply lamenting
the misadvonture, but determined TO let the
burden of the ridicule rest upon her unlucky
lover.
Year: 1868

To CuRE SoRE THRoAT.-Take the whites
Of two eggs and beat them with Irresponsible
of white sugar; CRATE in little nutmeg and
then add pint Of oflukewarm water. Stir well
and drink often. Repeat the prescription, II
necessary, and it will cure the most obstinate
cases Of hoarseness in G short time.
Year: 1868

nlehlS In the reconstructed States were those
set up by himself, and that "all the State
governments organized in those States under
act OF Congress for that purpose, and under
military control, are illegitimate and of no
valid consideration; and, in that view the
votes cast in those States for President and


Vice President, in pursuance of acts passed
since the 18th of March, 1867, and in obedience
to the so-caled Reconstruction acts of Con-
gresS, cannot be legally received and counted
while the only votes in those States that can
De legally cast and counted will be those cast
IN pursuance of the laws in force in the several
States prior to the legislation by Congress upon
the subject OF reconstruction.


From his own reasoning, therefore. he NAV
be expected to disregard any communications
addressed to him by these governments, while
he apparently stands ready to recognize and
succOr the authorities whom the reconstruction
acts swept aside. Congress, under these cir
has resolved to meet again in
September should any revolutionary act of
he President render it necessary.
Year: 1868

IHE WHEAT CRoP.-When the wheat crop
was being harvested we stated that there was
prospect of large yield. Now that the crop
is beng threshed, however, we learn that It
VIII be short; not more than two thirds Of
what was expected This is the general esti.
mate on the whole Peninsula as we learn from
our Maryland exchanges The grain is of ex-
cellent quality, however
Year: 1868

the Sun: There seems to be a general belief
that large amount Of money was expended
here during the last session OF Congress to pro-
cure the appropriation for the purchase of the
Alaska territory, but upon inquiry it does not
appear that any funds were paid out for that
purpose except fees paid to a lawyer of some
eminence, who received $4,000 in gold from
the Russian Government, as is alleged, for his
advocacy of the purchase in q certain journal
and his efforts with Congress nen TO convince
them OF the necessity of the appropriation"


The lawyer named above is understood to be
Hon. Robert ]. Walker, VINO certainly per-
formed very able service in setting forth the
merits of the Alaska purchase in a convincing
light.
Year: 1868

ALBANY, N. u, Dec. 7.-General Cole has
been acquitted. The Jury came into court
about eleven o'clock this morling and stated
that they found the risoner TO be sane at the
moment before and tie moment after the kill
Ing, but were In doubt as 10 his sanity on the
instant of the homicide. The Judge said thew
must give the prisoner the benefit OF the doubt,
and III us instructed. they acquitted him.
Year: 1868

y Friday night a Fitchburg freight train
near that place became disconnected and the
engine stopped. The detached cars colIiuad
win two OF those ahead, smashing a tank car
which was nlled with oil. The shock broke a
lantern in the hands of Joseph Hobbs, cover
ing nim win OIL, which ignited, and he was
burned TO death. The tanks exploded with a
terrific conclusion, throwing the debris OF the
car all around. No other person was hurt.
Year: 1868

IHE CONGRESSIONAL SUB-CoMMlrTRR on
whiskey frauds is still in session in New YORK
city. Their meetings are conducted with closed
doors A member stated they would present a
startling report to Congress early the presen.
Year: 1868

A Coon NIGHT KIss.-Always send
your little child to bed happy. What
ever cares may trouble your mind, give
the dear child a warm good night kiss as
it goes to its pillow. The memory of this
in the stormy years which may be in store
for the little one, will be like Bethle-
hem's star to the bewildered shepherds,
and yelling up in the heart will rise the
thought: "My father; my mother, loy-t
ed me! !" Lips parched with fever will
become dewy again at this thrill of use
ful memories. Kiss your little child be-
fore it goes to sleep. - =.
Year: 1868

In the event of distinctive freshet at
West Troy, it is the intention of the eitf
zens to commence a suit against the Al
bany bridge company, with view OF
testing the right of the company to i'm
pede navigation and destroy their prop
erty by the erection of the bridge, claim
ing that were it not for the bridge piers,
the ice iwould 1loata away without causing
any damage. r..r t-.,- .r..1-.r.t
Year: 1868

Thousands Of men think thousand
times more of reputation, what men are
thinking of them, than of character, what
they are They would be content to he
nothing If they could only pass for some
thing in the world This insanity of seem
ing is the tap root OF all our cant and
and hypocrisy and shams. The first step
towards mapliness, towards virtue, to-
wards aJhigh order of excellence, is to
stop taking the census of the worlds
admiration, and set about being some
body, and doing something. The sun
does not stop shining to ascertain what
men think of its light, but, regardless of
the worlds opinion, keeps on its steady
course, ccntent to be the sun, and fill the
space with IT'S beams Fill your life with
noble and generous deeds, and you may
leave your reputation, as the comet
leaves its trail, to take care Of itself,


Liberal Christian.
Year: 1868

Be VIGILANT.-Although the Presidential
aspirations of Horatio Seymour have been
rudcly nipped in the bud by the defeat of his
party in the great States of Pennsylvania
and Ohio, there is still work to be done in
this State. The Democracy will make stub
born fight to maintain their power in Cali
fornia, and will relax no effort to accomplish
that object. The Haights, Holdens and
Fitzseralds are not going to let this State
SKIP through their fingers if they can possibly
avoid it. To carry the State for Grant and
Coifax 1T will be necessary for Union men to
use all possible exertion, and vigilantly watch
all points of advantage. Union nenl be
alert and vigilant, and in November we can
telegraph East that we have met the enemy
and they are ours"
Year: 1868

Pure blood may be compared to pure water, and
impure blood to muddy water. If you pass muddy
water through muslin you soil it continue the
process and you cover with thick mud. Blood
passes through all parts of the body if good and
pure it nourishes and cleanses the parts it goes
through. If impure it leaves more or less dirt be-
hind it. BRANDRHTH's PILLS are the medicine
wanted, because they made purpose to take
dirty humors out of the body, and they never fail
These pills scrofula, even of forty years
standing; they have cured eases of rheumatism
when the patient had not walked for four years
of paralysis where the legs had lost their power of
movement for seventeen years. The evidence in
these cannot he disputed. Is there town in
the world where such evidence exists not? If
BRANDRETH's PILLS have been much used there
we know that such evidence can be found


But be sure and see upon each box my name in
the Government stamp, in white letters.


B. BRANDRETH, Brandreth House, New York.


Sold by all druggists. s26
Year: 1868

MAN bearing the name of John Colin, a
native of Ireland, aged forty years, came out
from Philadelphia in March last, and wrote
to his wife that he was engaged in cutting
cord wood in Sonoma county. At his request
she came out in June to join him, but is un-
able to obtain any tidings of him or his fate
since his last letter. The press of this State
will confer great favor upon worthy and
industrious woman by publishing this item,
and the request that any person having
knowledge of her husband would address a
letter to Hannah Colin, Napa City, or the
editor of the Napa Register.
Year: 1868

BLIND TRoUpE.-The Pioneer Blind Troupe
gave performance here on SATURDAY. night
last. The performance closed with dance.
which was greatly enjoyed by all who par
ticpated in it. This troupe can always de-
pend on a cordial greeting in Shasta.
Year: 1868

TIE manager Of the Jacobin concern
over the way seems to desire a continu-
ance Of our biography of Jap Packard.
We have other matters Of more import
ancc claiming our space this week, but as
soon as We have little room to spare we
will accommodate our neighbor. We are
right well acquainted with tho history Of
Jap, and it will afford us great pleasure
TO 'swrite it up" especially as 1T will ac-
commodate our Deighbor. Don't be Inn
patient, we will attend to the matter thor
oughIy, neighbor, and if not to your en-.
tire satisfaction, it shall certainly be no
fault of ours. s.-only be patient and you
shall have it all.
Year: 1868

HANDS OFF.-A good story is told by
New Orleans paper, of an Individual who
presented himself to the chief of the po-
lice, with loud complaint of certain boys
In the habit of throwing stones into his
house. One, he said had only last eve
ming struck his daughter on the breast.
Was the young lady badly hurt inquired
the chief. No, not badly hurt herself,
replied the complainant, but the stone
broke three fingers on the hand of young
gentleman who is paying her special atten-
ton:
Year: 1868

ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS-


Congress has at last taken a breathing
spell, and at the same time given the coun-
try one.


The proceedings of that body seem to
grow more Infamous with each succeeding
session. The months passed in the ses-
sion just closed have produced no one sin.
gle act that is even remotely beneficial to
the white people of America, unless we
except the bondholders, Jacobin Office
holders and whisky-rings. Taxes are
higher instead Of lower; money is scarcer
instead of more plenty; the rich are rich
er and the poor are poorer than when the
session first convened. Millions of dollars
have been thrown away on the impeach-
ment farce; the freedman's bureau is made
more expensive instead Of being abolish
ed; the standing army has not been re-
duced, and in no one thing has an action
been taken to tighten the burdens Of the
taxpayers to restore the government to
render tbe fundamental law of the land
supreme, or to promote the happiness OF
any class of people save Office holding and
ofiice-aspiring Jacobius and negroes.


A congress without brains, without pur-
pose and without honesty, if the adjourn
meut were for all time to come instead Of
month or SO, then indeed might the peo-
pie breathe free and "rejoice with exceed
ing great joy"
Year: 1868




TEE Jacobins profess their inability to
define the real position of the democratic
party on the financial question. If they
are honest in their statements, and really
cannot see the policy of the democratic
platform and leaders, then they simply
enunciate and exhibit themselves as the
most unqualified Dumb-skulls and beetle.
heads that ever before organized in any
force. Any school-boy acquainted with
the first principles of the English language
cannot fail to comprehend the position of
the party after reading the platform. 1t
docs not admit Of the possibility of dou-
bic construction by any honest man OF
common sense. When it declares that
5-20 bonds are payable in green backs, ii
means that they are payable in greenbacks
and not in gold.
Year: 1868

Our bonds in Europe have been advauc-
ing and Strengthening oflate. We have not
the slightest doubt but that Grants election
will send them up far beyond any point they
lave yet reached. We have no doubt that
a year of Grants administration will put
them up as high as English consols. And
if, within that time. they should reach one
hundred, and we enabled to resume specie
payments, it would be no more than we have
a right to expect.


W-vyv ss CoTvnths
Year: 1868

THE funeral of Abraham Strouse, say
the Virginia Enterprise of October 9th,
which took place in this city on Sunday last,
was one of the largest ever seen here. The
procession extended along c street from Tay-
lor street to the foot of Cedar Hill, a distance
of nearly one mile. There was strong turn
out of the various fire companies and also Of
Masons, all of whom were on foot, and the
hearse was followed by large number oi
carsiases-all procurable in this city-while
behind came a considerable number of men
on horseback. The remains of deceased were
taken to Mokelumne Hill, California, where
his mother resides
Year: 1868

The following is as complete table Of
returns of this county as we have been able
to get up to the time of going to press. The
official count will not change them materi-
ally. The county has given majority for
Grant:
Year: 1868

And the gambler sunk down IN swoon
upon the floor.


The wounded man raised himself upon
his elbows his glazed eyes wandered
about the room, as if searching for some
particular person.


Mary" said he, is my brother Will
liam here? L"


The words choked in his throat, the
gurgling blood stopped his utterance, and
he sank back corpse upon his pillow.


The wife knelt again, but it was beside
dead body. and invoked the blessing of
God upon his soul and forgiveness for the
murderer.


The gambler awoke from his swoon,
staggered up to the wife, and said
Mary, would it were otherwise, for l
have nothing to live for now +; the dead
and dying do not want anything in this
world; take this certificate of deposit to
our aged father, and tell our parents we
are both dead but oh, do not tell them
how we died!"


Before the woman could reply, or any
one interfere, the report of the pistol
sounded again, and the fratracide had
ceased to lire! On the hill near Rincon
Point were two graves, a few years ago,
enclosed with picket fence, and one
tombstone at their head, with the simple
inscription, " BROTHERS."
Year: 1868

WOman's Right.
Wherefore should woman seek the polls.
To set the world in order.
When. by the hearth, she fans the Goals
Which light its furthest border.
Why should she seek the wild unrest
A public life must render,
For man is always manifest
Where woman is most tender.
Why should she for her rights contend.
While, since the days of Adam,
The sterner sex before her bend,
Your humble servant, madam"
1t is her right to make her life
A thing of joy and beauty
And. whether she be maid, or wife.
She owes herself this duty.
'Tis woman's right to choose the good,
And on the base to trample.
To sanetify the brotherhood
By setting the example.
If there's gift Of heart or mind
That's lovely, sweet and human,
Aught that is gentle or refined.
This is the right of woman.
Then wherefore scorn the web of bliss
Our freside joys are weaving.
And seek in Fame's deceitful kiss
A balm for all she's leaving.
Her head with Fames proud guests may sup.
Bask where its splendor flashes,
Her heart will find an empty cup.
Or filed. at best with ashes.


JENNY.
Year: 1868

UNIVERSAL DIssATIsFAc1oN.--How
often do we see persons who wish to be
taken for what they are not. The boy
apes the man with cane and cigar; the
man affects the ways of boyhood. The
sailor envies the landsman's lot; the
landsman, for pleasure goes to sea. The
business man who must travel from town
to town, and from country to country,
dreams of the day when he will be able
" to settle down" !" the man of sedentary
occupations grieves over the thought that
he had to vegetate like a cabbage in one
spot, and sighs for the time when he may
travel. The town bred youth halls with
joy the morning in which he is enabled
to get out where he can breathe pure air
and ramble among green fields; the coun-
try lad is all wonder and admiration
when he first sees the rows Of gas lamps
tapering away in perspective like beads
Of gold-and he is excited by the blaze
Of gas which pours from the windows on
the road. Your fine musician would like
to be great painter, your wit a dignifed
philosopher, your philosopher wit, able
to set the table in roar. Even an oys-
ter, if we could enter into the feelings Of
an oyster, would wish to put forth fms
and have a fine flexible tail, and sail
abroad to see the world, while the trav-
elled fish looks with an eye Of envy on
the oyster as one who lives without work
"a fish of independent means, who has
got a fixed position and q good strong
house of its own.
Year: 1868

EXIT BINCKLEY.-We have on a previous
occasion urged that this eminent amateur iu-
rist and claim agent be advanced from his o.
sition of Assistant Attorney General to the
head of that department., but instead of this
deserved promotion Mr.. Binckley has been
leSisiated out of his present Office by an un-
Ieeihg Congress. The bill relative to the
court OF Claims which has passed both
branches of Congress contains among its other
provisions one which abolishes the Office of Sc
licitor OF the Court of Claims and takes from
the Attorney-General the privilege of appoint
ing his own assistants. This disposes of Assist
ant Attorney General Binckley, and Solicitors
Norton, Weed and Kerr. Tn, President is
authorized to appoint, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, two assistant at
torneys general at salary of four thousand
dollars each, and the bill makes it the duty Of
the Attorney General and his assistants to at
tend to all the business of government before
the Supreme Court and the Court of Claims.
Under this law no high-toned old gentleman,
like the late Attorney General, can subject the
government to the expense OF paying
counsel to appear in cases in which it is
interested. 1t will be remembered that Stan
berry refused to uphold the constitutionality
of the reconstruction acts before the Supreme
Court when a test case was pending before
that tribunal.
Year: 1868

"A young lady farmer in the fruit region of
Southern Illinois got 20 per cent. more for her
strawberries than others because she gave bet
ter measure and had nicer fruit. If the ladies
will go on in this way, the question will be
whether men ought to vote.