smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

20, rest easy on tha: hand" said the rob.
ber, sarcastically, ''for | foiled better men
than you; besides, intend for your inso-
lence, to bestow token on you, to show that
you were robbed by main force. Lay down
your right hand on that tree stump"


To lose his right hand was terrible, and
he hestated and recoiled


"Down with it," roared the robber, max
ing the bright blade flash in the sun, "Down
with it, or you are dead mani"


Life is sweet even TO the bravest, and Ken
meth reluctantly placed his arm across the
stump. Drawing all his strength into the
elbow, the robber swung the heavy sword
around his head till it -vhistled in the air.
At this last moment a brilliant thought oc-
Cured to the unlucky highlander. As the
sharp steel came rushing down, he suddenly
jerked his arm away, and the blade buried
itself in the tough green wood. Before he
could release the weapon or recover himself
from the blow, Kenneth was upon him like
a whirlwind. A short but terrific struggle
ensued which resulted so much to the dis
advantage of the robber that, with a sudden
effort of desperation, he broke away, leaped
upon Kenneth's horse, which was the nearest,
and fled away with the speed of the wind.


Our hero knew his horse too we'll to think
Of following; SO recovering his sword, and
gathering up the gold he had so nearly lost,
he bestrode the robbers saddle-which he
subsequently, discovered to be stuffed with a
large amount of treasure-and again pushed
forward towards the residence Of the future
Mrs. Cameron.


Not long after he had the satisfaction of
hearing that the renowned Captain Gordon
had been comfortably run through the body
by a plucky traveller
Year: 1859

the track, had the horror Of finding the
poor unhappy victims lying together, all
stained with each others blood, and al
ready beginning to decay They were
both buried in one grave, with their faith
full attendant at their feet The poor
monk, with faltering voice, rendered
them the last offices of his friendship
and there are few amongst the crowd, who
on that day saw the grave close over these
victims to revenge and pride, that can
erase the scene from their memory And
no one who heard the Calabrian repeat
that melancholy history, on the very spot
where it took plaee-who witnessed his
impressive manner, and the mournful en-
phasis with which he concluded his tale


can ever forget the evening he spent in
the woods of PersanoU -
Year: 1859

Whoever is author of the following gave
utterance to vast deal of truth in few
words: "A house full of children" he
says" composes as powerful group of mo-
tives as ever moved a heart or hand and
the secretof many struggle and triumph
in the worlds battle may be found thron-
ed in its mothers lap at home, or done
up in little bundle of white flannel. A
nations hope, before now, has been found
in a basket of bulrushes. Get ready to
be afraid of the man that children are
afraid of, and be sure that he who hates
them, is not himself worth loving"
Year: 1859

Ihere are many persons ylctlmlZed In the
community, who, if all the facts concerning the
losses were known. would meet with little SYM
pathy from honest men. The keen tools with
which they were striving to operate upon others
are only turned against themselves by some
scamp more cute than themselves. and they
have no right to complain if their fingers are cut
There is N certain class of knaves w no under
stand human nature so well that they are en-
abied to fleece less cunning and meaner rogues
by exciting their eupidity. Prominent among
this class are the sharp gentry in sailor clothes
VINO go about Offering for sale silk dress patterns
which they can sell at astonishingly dow prices
because they have smuggled them through the
Custom House. The bait takes, and the buyer
who has no seruple at being made an accessory
10 swindling the government, finds himself or
herself IN possession of ''eOtten back goods,
for which he or she has paid about two prices
Other knaves Of this class operate upon a still
more dishonest set of customers. and they tempt
them to buy bogus jewelry and sham silver ware
by bold fntimatiOn that the articles can be
sold cheap because they are stolen. The vic
tins in such eases are entitled to about "a much
sympathy rs any other receivers of stolen goods
who are Oyerreached


A few days since man called at the Mayors
ONCE and made complaint that he had been
swindled out of one hundred dollars by u per-
son whose description answered that of the
smuggler of goods purchased with the legacies
vi 1ue cOlueIdlualI Stateu InAL
he had saved a little money. and being anxious
TO turn il to the best possible account, he ad-
yertised for offers. Among the numerous re-
plies which such an advertisement would nat
urally bring forth, was one from an individual
who proposed to put the capitalist in the way
of doubling his money forthwith. This was too
good chance to be neglected, and the posses
sOr Ofspare funds called upon the fnancier who
could double money so rapidly. The fnancier
proved to be q very nice, gentlemanly sort of
man and very smooth spoken, who, after beat
ing about the bush for time told his visitor
that he know where gold coins, ''fve carats
fine, could be procured at the rate of $3.50 for
SlO0 genuine stuff. The business had to be
managed very privately, of course, and the
speeula'Or could only BE- permitted to go to with
IN certain distance the place where the first
class limitations ~ be obtained. The bait
took, the ayariOus Hat banded out n hundred
dollars, and accompanied the sharper to a given
point. where he WAS left to wait for the promised
return of his original Investment, with the ad-
ditiOn of 80 per cent. 1t is scarcely necessary
10 say that the smOO.h-tongued gentleman has
not yet returned. The specimen coins shown
the dupe were, without doubt, genuine and no.
body will pity him for the loss he sustained
through his own cupidity. Honesty is the best
POlicy.-PAI. Bulletin.
Year: 1859

A FATALIsr.-A Western paper publishes
the following II knew an old man who be
lieyed that what was to be would be- lie
lived in region infested by very savage In
dians. He always took his gun with him, but
thus time found that soIne Of his family had
taken IL out. As he would not 20 out without
it his friends tanthliIed him by saying there
Was no danger Of the Indians; that he would
not die till his time came any how Yes -
says the old fellow, but suppose was to meet
an Indian and his time was come, il wouIdn t
do not to have my gun"
Year: 1859

%. Traveller from the Eastern Hemisphere"
communicates the following to the New Orleans
Bulletin:


We are wont 10 imagine Florida covered with
swamps and everglades, yet. in reality, it il
what It, name purpOrts To be, most blooming
and fertile country. Unfortunately. the trOp-
ical climate of this State demands a mode of
life and husbandry far different from what our
people are generally used to. This is the real
cause of the dissatisfaction which our migratory
population hitherto has shown to State whose
geographical position is not less valuable for
commercial purposes than It's climate and soil
are for agricultural.


party in Philadelphia lately tried to in
tTO1uce the cultivation of the coffee shrubs in
the hey Islands but was refused by the Fed
erai authorities the cessiOn of the lands re-
quired. Ii seems the crampel state Of finances
in Washington does not allow the encourage
Inent of the home production of a produce
which forms such an important item in the
reyenue of the Confederation. But there are
OthOr fruits already cultivated in Florida and
the neighboring States, say the fig, the olive
tree and the date palm. which offer greater
chances than even the coffee on the low hey
Islands.


The Florida figs and olives rank with the
best of the old world, but are not turned 10 a
proper account the FlOridians not vet having
hit upon the idea to dry and pack. Smyrna
fashion, their costly fruits nor to extract salad
oil from their olives True the duty on fips
has been lowered considerably of late, but there
Is al item Of import the Smyrna traders cannot
overcome, this is the heavy loss their fruits
undergo by deterioration on the voyage, and
which at n fair average reaches 2J per cent
Out Of a hundred fruit vessels which annually
visit the Mediterranean, two thirds go out in
ballast; this, too weighs on the fruit. This
has also reference to dried dates and olive oil


The date palm grows largely in Florida, but
the inhabitants do not know how to fructify
the female trees. as il is done in the East. So
these valuable palms bear DO fruit. The date
palm grows in Arabia in the immediate vicini-
~ Of the salt water, and on a soil penetrated
with alkaline matter, where nothing else but a
few alkaline plants grow, of which u fine po-
tasse is produced.


Almonds, also. which unaccOuntably are still
burdened with 20 per cent. import duty, merit
al attention.


Dried figs. dates, almonds, anil salad oil
might be shipped both to the Eastern shores
and by way Of this city 10 the heart of the
country with AN advantage to the produce
which would far surpass the profits sugar or
tobacco, nay even ON cotton. the production of
the said fruits requiring hardly any labor at
all. The cheapness Of production Of these
fruits allow the Turkish Government and Ara
bia from two to three dollars each tree, u rather
heavy taxation il would seem to US.
Year: 1859




A RIca IScIDEsr--A short time since. q
young fellow went to see minister's daughter
whose fathers house was near a mill-dam'


1t being the spring Of the year, the waters
made considerable of a roar a. they tumbled
over the dam. The modest young gentleman
tapped lightly at the door at first aud received
no answer. He tapped again-still no answer
Again and again he repeated his knock but
still unheard Mastering up courage, he pro-
ceeded To infiGt some severe thumps on the door
which brought the said old gentleman out.


II suppose. said the yOungstcr, who had by
this time become slightly savage, from being
compelled to wait so long; Il suppose you could
not hear me knocking for the dam roaring"


The dam roaring. What do YOU mean. sir,
How dare you speak in this way 20 said the
divine, somewhat angy at hearing the Young
man swear in his presence.
Il mean to say, sir, that | suppose You could
not hear my knocking ON account OF the dam
roaring"


Dam roaring again You scoundrel, Have
yGu the impudence to insult me with u repeti-
ton of those words Begone SIR"


My dear sir, quOth the now bewildered
youth. Il intended to say that presumed |
could not be heard on account of the dam roar
ing, laying particular emphasis on the last
two words.


"Insut on insult" shouted the infnriated
man, and he rushed at the poor fellow with the
evident intention OF ejecting him, but was re-
strained by the voice of his daughter, exclaim-
ing:


Papa, suppose the young man intended to
say that he could no: hear on account of the
roaring Of the dam


''O-I beg your pardon sir-I beg your par
don; walk in. walk in, really; an we'll de-
clare The dam roaring Capital Come in
Tha. is really rich ~


1t is needless to add that the youngster went
in. and in the excellent society of the young
lady, soon forgot the ''dam roaring
Year: 1859

served a small troop of 2S boys, &c, have
no occasion for comment. "Often there is
manifest unwillingness to admit any evidence
unfavorable to the false notions impressed
upon the mind. whilst great ingenuity is dis
played in finding arguments which may tend
to make it apparently more reasonable
The Express is unwilling to admit it is
opposed to the Marysyille Railroad; and the
ingenuity. displayed by the Express, in evad.
ing the issue of connection with the Fol


som road, evidently shows who are suffering
under this form of insanity. The peculiari-
ties Of simple mania are harmless to the COM
munity when its effects are confined to a
private individual; but place the Individual
in position where he can crafty his pas
sions at public expense, and the consequences
would be highly dangerous Nothing short
of writ de lanatico inquirendo would reach
such case. The bad example would re-
main, terror to the community, though the
lunatic were confined. Recovery from
madness sometimes takes place suddenly, but
more frequently it is gradual" The treat
ment recommended. for patients having sin
guine temperaments and plethoric habits, is
active purgatives and excessive bleeding :;
the bleeding to be continued to almost syn
cope. MEDIoo.
Year: 1859

TIMBUCToo, March 18th.


EDITOR NATIONAL DEMOCRAT .-Having
been reader of your valuable paper, and
seeing no notice in your columns of our flour
ishing little place, have taken the opportu-
nifty to furnish you with few items IN re-
gard to the mining interests of Timbuctoo.


There is probably no place in California
where gravel mining is carried on more sue.
cessfully than here. The gravel range is not
considered rich, but owing to the inventive
facilities of man whereby mining is reduced
to science. the claims are made to pay those
who invest their capital, from one to three
thousand dollars per year. This amount of
money is realized from the quantity of dirt
washed in short time, more than from the
richness conveyed through fumes from three
hundred to two thousand feet in length.


The Ball clai.l, Live Yankee, Michigan
and Antonio claims are considered as among
the most valuable claims in the country.


The quartz interest is gaining steadily. In
a short time steam quartz mills will be in
operation pounding out the precious ore,
which all are striving to obtain.


A little incident occurred last night, which
was not relished by some of the parties but
the participants in the affair were complete.
ly sold. 1t was rumored amongst the young
men Of the place that one of their number
was about to leave the single state of blessed
ness to enjoy the sweets of connubial felicity.
All were expecting the young man home
with his charming bride. A consultation
was held, and it was decided to give the
young couple hearty reception. The young
man came; bnt where was the bride passed
from mouth to mouth. They soon scertain.
ed he was married, and determined not to be
disappointed in their sport, about IL o'clock
we were aroused from our slumbers by the
most unearthly noises that ever greeted NOR.
tai ear About twenty persons had collected
for the purpose of giving the married couple
a charivari with tin pans and other instru
mcnts which produced the most discordant
sounds the mind can conceive Of We could
think of nothing..to compare it with but ten
thousand cats suspended over line by their
tails, trying to free themselves from each
others loving embrace The happy couple
not being in the place they expected to find
them, they took up line of march for a Ger.
tain private dwelling. After beating upon
the door and disfguring the house generally
trampling flowers beneath their feet, they re
treated up town without discovering the sup
posed married couple; but what is better
than all, our younr friend in whose pure
heart the idea of matrimony had never en-.
tered, after fatigueing ride all day, had re-
tired to rest, unconscious Of the high COM
pliment paid to him outside. The young
bloods have come to the conclusion never
more to rely upon circumstatial evidence, but
must behold the bride before serenading an.
other married couple. w.
Year: 1859

EDITOR DEMoCRAT:-There are persons ca
pable of transacting business requiring or
dinary capacity, but who, owing to their
acute sensitive organism, become subject to
alteration of intellect when placed in a diff
cult or dangerous condition. One of the
most profound arthmeticians that ever lived,
who could solve problems without any ap-
parent effort, yet in everything else was an
imbece.


Thisview is justified by high unquestionable
medical authority; "Moral insanity displays
itself in want of selEgovernment. Not
uEfrequently persons affected with this form
of disease become drunkards, and have
strong tendency to vicious habits" Who
fulfils this condition? "An individual after
having undergone an unusual degree of men
tai excitement, becomes confused in mind
he appears scarcely to know what he says
he indicates the troubled state of his mind
by singular gestures, by singular appearances
of countenance, and by actions which cannot
fail to strike in forcible manner every OBJ
server"


One has remarked that "there is a false
perception or imagination of things present
that are not; but this is not constant nor
even frequent attendant of the disease
wv have often seen a lunatic under this
form of disease walk up and down fire.
quented place, sufficiently alive to external
objects to avoid falling in the way of horses
and carriages or running in the way of foot
passengers, but SO intent upon the scene pre-.
sented by his excited Imagination as to be
busily employed in Issuing commands to
troops of which he imagined himself the gen.
eral, and in directing them to enfilade to the
right and left. and perform variety of ev-
olutions All this he performed with a voice
and gesture that were perfectly natural and
consistent with reality" Those who OBJ
Year: 1859

The Senate had long, spirited, and sharp
discussion upon the amendment offered by
Mr.. Hale, yesterday, to repeal the restrictive
clause in regard to the required number of
population in Kansas, to qualify her for ad-
mission into the Union as a State.


The amendment was finally rejected by 10
ayes to 27 noes


The legislative, executive and judicial ap-
preparation bill was then taken up and dis
cussed till midnight, when it was passed by a
vote of p ayes to 16 noes.


The most important measure brought be-
fore the House to-day was the report of the
committee appointed to investigate and re-
port upon various charges of fraud in the
contracts of the Navy Department; and in
three departments of the Government.


The Committee made majority and mi
nority report They are elaborate docu-
ments of great length. The minority report
charges the Secretary of the Navy, several
members of Congress and various other off.
GERS in the Government with completely in
gross frauds. The minority Committee also
offer series OF resolutions strongly censur-
ing the President, the Secretary of the Navy
and others implicated in the alleged fraudu.
lent transactions
Year: 1859

PUNISHMENT WITH DEArH.-This is q question
~bich has been long mocted, and ever and anon,
continues to BE- agtated by sentimental folks, when
over their personal feelings have been involved The
criminal code of NorthCarolins has been violently
.ssailed by Observation-Disclosures of other States,
and now and then, by persons of similar sympathies
among our cltlzenS


unon Hogue, the murderer Of Parish in Raleigh, has
cveu vent to the olous raphsody Of correspondent
If the Petersburg Express, who says that ''blOod!
Mooi blood y" is the characteristic Of the Grim
n,l code of our State and calls loudly for q peni-
tentiary Such expressions are not always indca-
tive Of the sound sense or sober judgment Of those
rho use them. but are sometimes the ebulliton Of
feelings engenlerei by interested motives or false
views of Justice.


Death is the just penalty due to the crime of viii
f murder in all cases. and it is equally due tO the
man who forcibly despoils female virtue. We doubt
# any right-minded man can believe otherwise
That death is due to some of the offences made SO
highly criminal by some of our laws, may be ques-
toned but the entire abolition of capital punish
ment from our statutes, and making the higher Of
fences simply punishable with incal ceration in q
uenitentiary, would be sad day for North Carolina
Bloody as her criminal code may be, she can boast
of a state OF morals, which few of her sisters can
claim and perhaps to one thing is she so much
indebted for it, as to her bloody code.


But We attach no serious Importance to these &C.
caona vapourings of excited persons. Oar statutes
are founded in the wisdom of Divine revelation and
the experience of ages, and there is among pco-
pie the deepest conviction of their justice and uti.
ty-of the right of the State to inflict death upon
that class of men, who riot in deeds Of blood cor
uption and revenge.


We can, however, see no formidable objection to
the establishment of Penitentiary, for the punish
ment of crimes which do not merit death. We do
not say there no objections to them. There are
many, yet under proper discipline they may be
made beneficial in restraining the vicious and pro-
noting the good Of society. But in the choice be-
tween penitentiary and the total abolition Of pun
Ihment, We could not hesitate moment which to
choose Washington Dispatch.
Year: 1859

EATING SNAILs.-A correspondent of an
exchange paper writing from Paris, says:


Are you fond of luxuries2 If you are,
you should partake of dish of which l ate
hearty yesterday at fashionable Partisan
restaurant. And what do you suppose it
was? Not that delicate and refreshing BIZ
valye-ft food for the gods the oyster-nor
its more leathery and substantial cousin the
clam, nor the tender, juicy frog, but another
"animal," which is supposed to combine all
the virtues and all the hayors of the three
above mentioned edibles--the sleek. Shiny,
snail To see him in his native nakedness,
when he had just emerged from his shell, the
snail would not, should say, present very
inviting appearance to the epicure, but when
he had a number of his companions chopped
up, as they do them in Paris, and mixed with
savory herbs, and then fried, he makes, n
dish, on which the palate and the memory
both loveth TO linger These distinguished
looking little mollusks play no insignificant
part in the dietary world of Paris-no less
than half a million of them being sold every
week.. the various markets Of the city
where they have taken their place in the
fish stalls side by side with tho oyster and
lobster
Year: 1859

One OF HIS OWN TnAPs 1t is well known
that there are many places in our streets
which are impossible in the day time and in
the night they are absolutely dangerous.
One of these places, or rether holes, is situa-
ted on California street, between Montgome-
ry and Kearny. In order to protect travel
ers, some kind individual placed barrel in
the hole, and no doubt fondly hoped that all
would steer clear of it. On Monday evening
q solitary horse and buggy man might be
seen quietly vending his way through the
mud of California street. Men on the side
walk were watching this solitary horse and
buggy man, and as he slowly passed along.
anxious eyes followed the melancholy look
ing eortege. At once, kerslump went some.
thing. Parties rushed out and proffered as
sistance. The horse-and buggy man was
taken out of the Garrel, taken undera lamp.
post and discovered to be our Street Com
MISUNDERSTANDING Call.
Year: 1859

WAsnoE MINEs-The Territorial Enter
prise published in Carson Valley, says


The California papers still persist in calling
our rich mining region the Washoe mines
They commit great error in so doing, and
do not know who bestowed that name upon
them. The Virginia diggngs are distant
about fifteen miles from Washoe Valley.
across two or three spurs of mountains
Although it is reported that gold and silver
have recently teen found in Washoe, yet the
almost entire mining population are now and
have been not less than fifteen or twenty
miles from that point
Year: 1859

FEW DAYS AGO, TWO AMBRoTYPEs were
N found in the Railroad Camp, Sutter county. One
IS that Of young man, and the other that OF mid
die aged woman The owner can have them by pay
ing for thisadveriisement. oezt-u
Year: 1859

Would it not pay we'll to harrow it in first,
then plow, and then harrow again2 We believe
it would. Much is lost by net incorporating
'manures sufficiently with the soil.-Farmerss
Magazine.