smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

A Nagasaki correspondent of the
n. Y. Herald, writes:


After a bouquet is dropping beyond
all remedy by fresh water, the Japan
ees can bring it back to all its first
glory by very simple and seemingly
most destructive operation. ] lad
received some days ago a delightful
bunch of flowers from a japanese ac-
quaintance. They continued to live
in all their beauty for nearly two
weeks, when al last they faded. Just
as l was about to have them thrown
away, the same gentleman Japanese
gentleman came to see me. Ishowed
him the faded flowers, and told him
that, though lasting long time, they
now became useless. ooh no, sir, "
said he "only put the ends of the
stems into the fire, and they will be as
good as before" l was incredulous ;
so he took them himself and held the
m-ends in the fire until they we're
completely charred. This was in the
morning; at evening they were again
looking fresh and vigorous, and have
continued so for another week.
What may be the true agent in this
reviving process, l am unable to de-
termine fully; whether it be the heat
driving once more the last juices into
every leafet and vein, or whether it
be the bOuntiful supply of carbon fur
nished by the charring. lam inclined,
however, to the latter cause, as the
full effect was not produced until some
eight hours afterward, and as it seems
that, if the heat were the principal
agent, it must have been sooner fol-
lowed by visible changes.
Year: 1861

cy, where it does not really exist, is
an insult on his disernment, and must
ultimately inspire him with aversion
and disgust" 1t is not for US to say
how many put on the semblance of
delicacy as covering for idleness, or
from any of the weak motives that
prompt such an affection-and happy
will it be for the household of any one
who can be aroused from such pitt
able state.


Could women only know how many
husbands are bankrupt because their
wives are f'delieate, how many chill
dren are physically, mentally and
morrily neglected and ruined, because
their mothers are "delicate " how
many servants become dishonest and
inefficient, because their mistresses are
"delicate" the list would be so appal-
ling, that possibly we might hear of
an anti-delicate ladies association, for
the better production of family happi-
ness and family economy Rural
Register.
Year: 1861

A correspondent of the Evening
Bulletin gives some excellent diree~
tiOns for the preparation of skeleton
leaves and flowers as ornaments, which
Of late have become so fashi5nabel for
the mantle, or as subjects for stereo-
seOpic observation.


The leaves should be steaped in rain
water in broad open bowls, and ex-
posed to the sun and air until all the
soft parts are perfectly decayed. The
water should not be changed, but the
bowls filed as the water evaporates.
Some kinds of Leases will be ready to
clean in the course of month or six
weeks; others will require a much
longer time; but as it depends very
much on the heat of the sun, and the
age OF the leaves when gathered, no
precise period can be named. In some
leaves the skin will peel off in small
particles, in others it can be peeled off
entirely, or it may decay altogether.


The bowls should he examined oo-
casionally, and the leaves ready for
cleaning removed to. a basin Of soft
water; they should then be gently
rubbed in the water with the fingers
till every particle of skin or green
pulp is removed from the fibre; should
this not succeed, the stronger leaves
may be cleaned with soap and flannel.
This will finish the skeletonizing pro-
cess.


The i5ers should then be carefully
dried. having first pressed them in a.
soft towel, in order to remove the
moisture. They are now ready for
bleaching, and may be laid away until
sufficient quantity is collected.


The liquor for bleaching is prepared
by pouring quart of boiling water
upon quarter of pound Of chloride
Of lime in the powder. This should
be allowed to stand until cold, and the
clear liquor strained off, which may be
bottled for use. When wanted for
bleaching, mix with cold water, in
about the proportions Of one part of
the liquor to twenty of water, in shal>
low dishes; lay the leaves in, and let
them remain till perfectly white, when
they must be removed Immediately
and dried III blotting paper. If this
solution should not be strong enough
to bleach them in ten or twelve hours,
a little more Of the liquor must be
added; but care must be taken not to
use too much, or the finer fber5 will
be destroyed.


In the dissecting process, the leaves
invariably come on their stems they
may be mounted when bleached, either
among branched stalks previously
dried and bleached, or on fine wire
covered with white tissue paper.


The leaves should be gathered when
fully grown, or the fibre is NOT sufIi-
ciently strong, and some leaves dissect
much better than others. Among
these are the poplar, maple, pear, ivy,
holly, magnolia, &c; the seed vessels
of the large Oriental poppy, the thorn,
apple and henbane, Gissect well, and
many smaller seed vessels, after they
have shed their seeds, may be dried,
and then bleached without STEPPING in
water, as first directed.
Year: 1861

Gather the faded leaves of the dark
maroon colored hollyhock, single or
double flowers, place = large handful
in about quart Of water, with q piece
Of alcm about the size Of a Gilbert; let
it simmer down to about the quantity !;
dip ribbons, cashmere, woOlcns or
silks into the liquid, and you will Oh.
tain the fashionable and elegant tint
called "mauve." Robbons should be
wrapped in piece of white calico Or
linen, so as to dry gradually and even
ly. The shade Of color may be les
sened by adding water, if the tint
should be considered too high.
Year: 1861

Take butter that is very salt and rub
on the throat and chest thoroughly. be-
fore going 90 bed. Two Or three appli-
cations will effect q cure We lave Lad
the throat distemper about here pretty
extensively this fall, and this has been
The principal remedy.
Year: 1861

DISCOVERY OF TREAsuRE.-A few -layF
since party Of seven men were employed
IN grnbbing up several decayed trees on
the estate Of Capt. Wheatly, at Firth. when
they discovered bar of metal some feet
below the surface and completely embedded
in the roots of an old oak. The bar was
taken to the Running Horse Tavern, when
IL was soon discovered to be solid silver, of
about 1881 in value, aud bearing date 1882
The Lord of the Manor declining to claim
the property, the finders took it to bull
lion dealer in London, who offered to pur.
chase the bar. provided that the consent Of
Of the Lords of the Treasury was first ob.
tanned. A statement of the case was then
forwarded to them, from whom an answer
was received TO the effect that no claim
would be made on the part of the Crown.
The property has accordingly been sold,
and the amount shared among the finders
OF the treasure.-[London Times.
Year: 1861

WHAT ACE DOEs.-An Amador editor re.
turns thanks for q bottle of new brandy,
and says that age will make II most ex-
cellent drink. We Judge that his judgement
is founded upon the fact that age has made
him q most ex tensive drinker
Year: 1861

The Force BILL.-Mr Bingham's bill, re.
ported by him from the House Judiciary Com.
mittee, provides whenever, by reason of unlaw
full distractions, combinations, or assemblages
of persons, it shall become impracticable, in
the judgment of the President, to execute
the revenue law and collect the duties on i'm.
ports in the ordinary way, it shall be lawful for
him to direct the custom. house for such district
to be established and kept in any secure place
within some port or barbor of said district,
either on land or on board any vessel, and in
that case it should be the duty of the collector
to reside at such place, and their detain all
vessels and cargoes arriving within the district
until the duties imposed on the cargoes by law
shall be paid in cash, anything in the laws of
the United States to the contrary notwithstand.
ing; and in such cases it shall be unlawful to
take the vessel or cargo from the custody of the
proper officer of the customs, unless by pro-
cess from some court of the United States and
in case any attempt shall be made to take such
vessel or cargo by any force or combination,
or assemblages of persons too great to be over.
come by the officers of the customs, it shall and
may be lawful for the President, or such persons
as he shall have empowered for the purpose, to
employ such part of the land or naval forces
or militia of the United States, as may be
deemed necessary for the purpose of prevent
ing the removal of such vessel or cargo, and
protecting the officers of the customs in re-
tanning the custody thereof.
Year: 1861

The young men Of the Third Ward who are
not now connected with some military company
are earnestly invited to assemble at Temperance
Hall on Monday, the 7th instant, at seven
O'Clock P. M, for the purpose of forming Vol
unteer Military Organization, whose object shall
be the preservation of law and order in our
midst, and the protection of our families and
friends from injury and insult by revolutionary
and lawless mobs. Addresses will be delivered.
A full attendance Is desired.


MANY CITIZENS,
Year: 1861

The NORTHWEST DIsARMED. - While the
United States arsenal in the city of Charleston
has been furnished by Secretary Floyd with
$4,000 stand of arms during the last four years,
the arsenal at Springfield in this State has not,
so far as we know, received gun of any sort
whatever. There are in that establishment not
more than thirty muskets that are fit for ser.
vice; and most of the other free States are in
the same destitute condition. Chicago Tribune.
Year: 1861

CALIFORNIA ON THE UNIoN.-The San Fran.
cisco Mirror says: Out of nearly one hundred
exchanges published on this coast and received
at this office, we can find not one that comes
out openly or otherwise in favor of an indie.
pendent republic. California is faithful to the
Union
Year: 1861

proach to the city from that direction. A.
long the southwest boundary Of the city lie
three commanding elevations, which, occu.
pied with men and artillery, would render
the approach Of storming force from any
point of the compass matter OF great difficult.
ty. All Of, that part Of the town having
q land boundary is fringed with similar ele-
vations, rendering it quito possible to sur
round the city with batteries, advantageous
ly planted, commanding the entire plain.


The northern boundary Of the city is one
from which assault is most to be apprehen-
ded. The rivers which guard It upon the
west and southwest, form an impregnable
barrier, and, guarded as they are, a land at
tack from that direction, is not to be appre.
hended. Above the city, at a distance OF
seven miles, is point called Little Falls, the
fordage of the Potomac is considered practi.
cable, unless the eastern bank were guarded
by force which, as at present garrisoned,
the capital could i'll afford to remove so lar
from its boundaries. The approach to the
city in that direction would bring storm
ing force within range ofa fringe OF batter
les commanding the northern limit OF the
city. The openness Of the surrounding
plain leaves such stormipg party but little
chance of effective strategetic operations.
The assailants would encounter first the fire
of the batteries, next hand to hand con.
flict with the forces behind them.
Year: 1861

MEAsSn,s. Nobody ever gains anything
by meanness, and yet meanness Is quality
bitten manifested by men from whom We have
a right 10 expect better things. Observers
take notice and shun those who practice It.
How often have we observed meannes prac-
ticcd by those in temporary power upon thoso
who, for the time being, happen TO be In an
inferior position; and how often have wc OBJ
served those interiors rising In the high pla-
ces Of society, and becoming the dispensers
OF favors TO those who have arbitrarily In
jured them when they possessed the power.
And how often have We heard people rock
lcssly calumniate Others whom they thought
too insignificant to be Of service TO them.
and after series Of years and o change Oh
circumstances, we have known these saine
people to bitterly lament that they haa Tor.
ieited the favor Of these once insignificant
individuals by their imprudence: IL coats
nothing Tor . man TO be magnanimous, and
as a matter Of policy merely he cannot mako
n better investment. What Is more than oil
and above all. magnanimity ennobles tho
Year: 1861

Tho truest charity, says Ben. i. Taylor,
in the Chicago Journal, Is its own angel tho
world over, truth beautifully illustrated IN
the story Of tho Irish Schoolmaster. lie had
taken several lads for charity's sake, had
given them seat by his fire and share OF
his food he had them, even rs tho birds arc
taught to sing, "without price: :" IL had
lightened his basket and diminished his store.
One night he had q dream. Heaven was IN
sight, and he was striving To attain IL. He
had riled, no he dreamed, all the good deeds
he could think of, and clambtred upon tho
summit, but Heaven was yet as far OF TO tho
poor schoolmaster as it was to Dives. llo
hcaped up all his learning and the aims he
had given to the poor In the sight OF tho
great congregation. and still the blessed
place was beyond his reach.


He was in despair, and all the while no
had never bestowed a thought upon the poor
boys no had fed and taught. But just then,
when Paradise was fading from his sight,
they came, and they made u ladder for tho
old man--a ladder Of hands and strong arms
and he stepped from the shoulder OF the
last of them lightly and easily into Heaven.
And such is the charity that blefses him that
gives, as well Us him that takes.


The eccentric physician who prescribed q
new shawl for complaining lady, and at
once pronounced her convalescent, was somc-
thing of philosopher. For hundreds OF
heart-sick people, the prescription might DO
varied with the happlest results. and read
"an old shawl for a shiyering sister,"


There Is no alchemy 30 potent to kindlo
the jewel Of content as visit to those who
are less blest than we. Would you make
the old faded carpet look bright US "
Enter the tenement whose hoors are bare,
and the stars shine through the roof. We
count the blessings that are missing, but how
rarely do we number those that We enjoy.
Year: 1861

the when he should come out laden
withS, = Sating plunder. BE waited
long. s,,NS.-sally the artist reappeared,
and as ne stepped out of the yard was
nabbed and dragged off to the guardhouse
by the exultant leatherhead protesting
all the way that he was no burglar but a
gentleman. At the lookup he proved
his identity as q young merchant OF
wealth and standing and above stealing
and suspicion. II was also made 10 ap-
pear that there was a lady in the case, "
and that his presence in the house was
with tender and not burglarious intent.
Year: 1861

CATCHING BURGLAR.-The house of q
prominent gentleman of New Orleans
having been broken open twice recently,
the police department detailed a special
watehman to guard it. The other night,
after midnight, the hidden watchman
saw a man slvlv approach the house and
Year: 1861

WHAT WE HAVE EsCAPED.--Lncoln's
war debt, says the Valley Star will be
hundreds of million Of dollars. Indeed,
some say that it will cost him one million
a day to carry on the war. If Virginia
had remained in tho old Union, she
would have been bound for her proper
ton of this expenditure, and that to
fight her Southern sisters for the benefit
of q hellish crew of abolition fanatics
Tho Morrill, tariff cuts off all revenue
from customs, and the money would have
to be raised by direct taration Think of
that, people of Virginia. How would
you like the fun of shouldering from
thirty to fifty millions Of Lincoln's war
expenses, and paying the greater part Of
1t right out of your own pockets? If the
mad policy OF Seward and Lincoln for
ces upon us the necessity Of fighting and
paying, will we not elect to fight against
them and for tho South! Probably
Year: 1861

The fiInsy cloak under which tho
Northern press and. people. attempt to
veil the iniquitous war which has been
| proclaimed against us, deceiyes nobody,
not even the most credulous in their own
section. 10 say~that ihis war Of exter-
mination and suhjugation Of the South,
is to protect the late National Flag. the
Stars and Stripes. is a miserable hyp5o,
ri'y. which will be thrown aside as too
bold and contemptible TO impose on any
body How do they propose 10 fight for
the Nag? The black.hearted New York
Tribune aiiswers by holding out to the
mcrcenaries of the North the hope for
dividing among them the lands Of tho
South. Is it fighting for a common flag
TO engage deliberately in a war, the enl
and object of which is TO suliugate an
unwilling people 10 the power and dominl
ION Of hated and hostile government
Is il love fog the South, as part of q
common country. which induces them 10
revelin their beastly imaginations, over
pictures of servile insurreetion, rapino
and ravishment of Southern homcf-s
What is it that stimulates them to tho
work of blood and desolation? Is it to
restore the principles for which the
American revolution was fought? especial
ly the great principle of the right of
self-governmenia Have they not utterly
abandoned the doctrine of Republican,
liberty-that every free people have, by
nature, the right to govern themselves?


All this bombast and Buncombe about
''the flag of our country" is the merest
clap trap, to stimulate an ignorant and
deluded people TO take up the unholy
weapons of civil war. The real cause of
the present fury of the North is the i'm.
pending ruin of their commerce and
manufactures. In the loss OF the South
they see the handwriting on the wall,
which pronounces with unerring truth,
the downfall of its greatness and glory.
The picture which the historian Macau@
lay drew Of traveller in after ages sit
ting upon a broken arch of London
Bridge and surveying the deserted ruins
of what was once the mighty and veal
thy city of London, bids fair to be re-
allied on this continent as to the COM
mercial cities Of the North. As the
change in the currents of trade and tray
ell depopuated tho city of Palmyra, tho
proud Queen Of the East, and gave up
its palaces to the wild dogs and hooting
owls; so the mighty revolution of the
South will turn away from the Northern
seaports the rich currents of trade which
have built them up and reduce New
York and Boston 10 the ccndi,ion of dc,
serted fishing towns.
Year: 1861

TIE STAR AND THE ARNY.-The Star Of yes.
terday says that "ouI army lost the battle of
Boil Run mainly through its lack O fdiscipline.'
Never was there q more baseless slander
against brave men, led up against superior
numbers entrenched behind endless batteries
and fatigued BY @ long march, without food and
without water. At the proper time, we shall
discuss this question freely but justice to our
noble and sacrificed troops will not allow us to
lose moment in repelling this wanton attack
upon them by the Star.
Year: 1861

That law abolishing in effect trial by Jury in
the courts Of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, and
doing away with one term of the Superior Courts
Of Law and Equity, and so effectually crpplng
the other, as to postpone judgments one more
years. should seriously be felt by the community


is not matter of surprise; that dishonest individ-
uals should refuse to pay their debts, when not
compelled to do SO, is to be wondered at; that
persons possessing advantages over their neighbOrs
in times of want and trouble should be hearlessly
unteellng, is no unusual occurrence; but that
every body should g turn up" wrong side outward
is certainly novelty in any age or generation.


These reflections have been supernduced by
observing daily the effect Of the Stay law upon
the community. The salesman demands the cash
for every article of merchandise; the lawyer goes
about the streets with nothing to do the editor
gets no pay for his labor the debtor has no use
for money; the producer is in no hurry to get his
produce to market and everything seems up side
down


There is beyond all question more money
in the hands Of the people at the present
than has ever been known, at any one time with
in the limit of the lives of our oldest individuals
and yet there is no money in circulation You
can scarcely get dollar changed. The inconve-
nience Of transacting business even upon a small
scale is becoming enormous, and all this the result
Of misguided conception of affairs in the money
holders OF the country in not distributing out
their money usual. 1t is useless to say that
there is no money in the country know to the
contrary. The merchants have carried none
North; the banks have made double loans, crops
during the past year were very extensive and sold
at high prices; the bacon, the horses, the CATTLE
and all the resources of the State have been
drawn out and amply paid for; labor has been in
great demand, for all which cash has been amply
distributed and is now in the hands of the people;
and yet there is money. This is all wrong and
shows clearly the utility of execution laws
WinSton Sentinel!
Year: 1861

All Blankets and Clothing which may be received by
you be sent directly to the several Companies
which went from your county-and when your own
Companies are supplied, you will then forward any
balance on hand to the Quartermaser in Raleigh You
will put up al articles intended for your Companies in
strong boxes directed to the Quartermaster in Raleigh
with the Company and the Regiment plainly marked
on hem and you will have the contents of each box
marked on it.


Whenever the Companies on duty in your neigh
borhood you authorize % deliver the articles to
Them taking the receipt the Captain for them, which
receipt YOU will forward this office.


October 8. 1861. j. DEN EREUA Y, A. y. NJ
Year: 1861

WEARING BREAsTPLATEs.-We are not sur
prised to learn that the Yankees, who boast Of
outnumbering the South three to one, are yet un-
willing to thrust their precious carcases within
reach Of Southern bullets without artificial pro-
lection. The Scientific American describes q
breastplate, which, it is said, is becoming extern
sively worn by the officers and men III the Federal
Army before Washington. 1t is composed of thin
spring steel, and is worn between the cloth and
the lining Of common military vest It has
two leaves which lap at the edges when the vest
is buttoned to the entire chest. It
weighs only three pounds and half, and, accord
ing to the American can be worn with ease by
any officer or soldier during the most active exer-
else That Journal adds that it is very strong in
proportion to its weight, can resist the thrust of
bayonet or sword, and will resist the bullets of
muskcts and pistols at ranges which would other
wise be fatal to life.


IF this be true. which we may be permitted to
doubt, the Yankees have the honor of being the
first nation of modern times whose soldiery were
afraid to take the field until they could be clothed
in coat Of mail And the breastplate itself, like
most Yankee inventions, seems to be of little
account in the hour of trial. 1t seems to have
done very little service at Leesburg, neither TO
have kept out bullets nor bayonets, nor prevented
the men from taking to the water like so many
ducks. The Yankees have yet to discover that
the ins ide of soldiers heart is more important
than the outside, and that if the God of Nature
has not placed good, stout heart in the interior,
not even Yankee brass on the outside can make
him q hero