smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1863

The WRoNG PLAoE.-Yesterday morn
ing = number Of letters were found in the
box on the door at the old Post Office
building on johnson street. The persons
who deposited these letters there must
have taken "wee dap" too much or are
terribly behind the times. One thing is
certain, they do not take paper or re-
ceive many letters.
Year: 1863

A9r The river is now very low at this
point, and the ferry boat can be frequent
iy seen lying quietly on sand bar. This
is very annoying to the crowds of people
from Illinois who are waiting on either
side to be taken across.
Year: 1863

disadvantages under which they labor in the
contest,-what, we pray, would be the state
of mind of these wretched men who load the
air and make day and night alike hideous
with their winnings and croakings? Would
not their knees smite with fear and their
voices fail them


The condition in which we have for Illus
tratlon imagined ourselves, is really not SO
bad as that in which the rebels are to-day.
And yet, craven-hearted men are found, who
tell US that We must give up, that it is of no
use to push on, that we must confess that
We are whipped, and tamely succumb.-
And such are not ashamed to walk about the
streets and call themselves American citizens.
descendants of revolutionary heroes. What
descent, indeed Away with the folly, or
worse than folly, that they talk. See the
brave work that has been done already. See
our gathering hosts hanging like clouds of
destruction over Charleston and Vicksburg,.
and just about to give their terrible b lows
and have new courage. Cherish faith con-
slstent at least with obvious facts. if YOU can
Lot attain to one altogether worthy of the
founders of the republic. Jor-
Year: 1863

Corny was disappointed man. When he
came over from Ireland, he thought he was
coming to Ell Dorado. Not that he had ever
heard of such place as FL Dorado, but he
had heard wonderful stories rehearsed by his
kln-tolk and neighLors, and he imagined
that our rivers were milk and our lakes honey
that gold was to be had for the asking
and silver was nothing accounted of in
Amerlky." SO Corny kissed his father and
his mother, and took his brown-hsired,
brSht-eyed young wife, and his pipe and his
flute, and sailed over to the Land of Prom
se. He found that it promised more than
1t performed, or rather Irish lips had report
ed and Irish ears heard more than ever was
spoken. The soil of Columbia, like the soil
Of green Erin, is coy to cold suitors. For
tune here, as fortune there. will be woed and
not unsought be won, and the long and the
short OF 1t was, that Corny, instead of meas
unng out sequins by the sieve-full, had to
take his nod and his hoe and go to work like
all the rest of US. Is it any wonder he was
disappointed Who would not be disan.
pointed to make sea.journey and a land
journey of three thousand miles, leaving
father, and mother, and mother-country he
hind, and the end of it tind-a shovel. Sup.
pose You, tired of the toll and turmoil OF
this week-a-day world should take up Your
prlgrlm-statf some fine evening. and travel
on to the turreted castle that rises rovallv in
yonder sunset sky-a castle whose walls are
amethyst and lis portals pearl-grand, re-
splendant, heavenly, beckoning you on to
eternal nectar and ambrosia, to life of Meas.
ure and imperial state, served by Hebes and
companioned by gods, and after weeks of
weary wandering, footsore and forlorn, you
reach your sunset castle, and find that Won
will not be invited to as much as supper of
Johnny-cake and milk till you shall have
first baked the Johnny-cake and MIXED the
COW.


But Corny put the best face on the matter
and the best hand too, which in fact amounts
to pretty much the same thing, and went to
work. The truth is, there was nothing else
for him to do. He had spent all his money
in coming over, and must either work or die
in America, as everywhere else. He was a
sturdy lad Of fields and pastures, so he went
into the country and moved great swaths
through the waving valleys. and hoed straight
rows In the brown corn lands, and smote
the threshng floor with regular, strong beats,
and crushed the sweet, rich foaming cider
into the scented vats. In winter he helped
to gather in abundant crops of solid, steely
ice to cool the sherbet of sultanas, or he
drove his large-limbeG, steaming oxen over
the frozen roads into the frozen woods, and
made the countryside ring with the strokes
OF his valiant AK. So, many a board was


Towned and MANY hearth stone warmed by
the willing hand of this swart, hale, hearty
Irish exile.


All this while bright-eyed Kathleen kept
everything snug and nice in the two rooms
of their little cottage, her own self the snug.
gest and incest thing in it, and that Corny
| knew right we'll To this little cottage there
Year: 1863

BELLE PLAIN, Va,


March I, 1868.


From our Special Correspondent


The army as it now lies. with its left win!
resting upon the Potomac, its right upon tht
Rappahannock and the centre immediatel,
opposite Fredericksburg, with the Rappahan
mock as the picket line, or line of defense
can no longer be denominated the army O.
the Potomac alone, and hereafter is to be
known as working army, or at least, while
Gen Hooker commands it.


The news is meagre at present and must
be till an advance is made. The work Of
preparation for an early and active campaign
is going on with vigor, and as soon as the
"sacred mud dries up, it is predicted here
the work will commence in earnest. The ar.
my generally, is in much better spirits than q
month ago, and say they are better fed and
clothed than ever before and are fast improv
ing in every quality that gives efficiency.


The conscription act is well received, enc
gives the men new courage


The present time of quiet is well improved
! by civilians in visiting their friends in the
army; the time is short now, however, be-
fore the visits of friends and of idle curiosit,
| hunters must be vetoed.


Col Grant, commanding the Vermont brig
ade, held his first review this week. Gen
Howe was present and expressed himse!
well satisfied, and compliments the men high
ly for their soldierly appearance. They new
er appeared better.


Ex-Goy Fairbanks and many other Yer
mont gentlemen visited this brigade this
week. An expedition or foraging party
went out from this place the first of las,
week, part of which returned to-day and re-
port success, having captured large amount
of property, such as horses. mules, provi-
sions and forage The rebel correspondence
Of two or three mails, about one hundred and
! fifty negroes and several prisoners, among
whom was one colonel. These raids not only
make the army paying institution, but the
soldiers like the fun, and always return feel
ing like boys having good time.


The universal testimony of officers and
men from all parts of the army is, that i,
never was in better condition The popu
larity of Gen Hooker is increasing every day
and he is fast gaining the confidence of the
whole army.


If some of the cowardly peace men, anC
treacherous politicians would visit this local
ity, they would feel themselves strongly re
buked for their perfdious conservatism, b,
the patriotic deviation of the army to the
sacred cause of the Union. But such art
not the ones who visit the army to see fol
themselves, and be convinced only patriotic
and loyal men are seen here, who need no
such conviction and rebuke. have no time
to discuss the subject farther, but trust tha
soon the army will speak for themselves anc
etfectually put an everlasting quietus upor
all this compromising ds!oyaty of designing
politicians of the North and West. Whel
there is any news to write you shall have it
but in the mean time be patient.


Truly and respectfully yours, with entir,
confidence that the integrity of the Unior
will be pursued, X.
Year: 1863

\ few OF us went to work and with a saw
made of case knife, cut hole through the
floor near the wall, and then with an old file
worked out the mortar between the bricks,
and made hole into the cellar of the next
building. In that cellar were several Union
men cooking for us. We watched our chance
and dropped note to one whom We could
trust, as he came near the hole. He gave US
a crowbar, We then removed all the bricks
between two beams, and made place large
enough to get through. We had to do this
work in tie night, and work noisepssly, for
guards were within five feet of where we
were working. The hole was made under
the cot of Lieut.. Nesins, who was sick thus
We could be out of sight. The men in the
cellar were left there only day times, and
were then fully guarded; so no help could
come from them. 1t was slow work taking
out brick after brick, by digging away the
hard mortar and cement, but after a week
We got free passage through the walls of
the cellar, into the street beyond Then
came the night to start. With eagerness We
made our preparations, and one after anoth-
er our little company of SIX gIided into the
cellar, moving through it and on to the hole
that would let us into the street, We groped
darkly. When | came to the spot and re-
moved the bricks noiselessly and looked out,
it was raining hard and was as dark as a
dungeon. "a glorious night, boys" whis-
pered |. "Are you all ready9"


"Yes"


"Come on then"


At this moment, a flash Of lightning lit
up the darkness, and saw clearly the dusky
forms OF armed men waiting in the street.


Hold, the patrol is there" We waited
TO see them move off. Ten, twenty, fifty
minutes passed and not one stirred.


"BetrayeG," was the muttered word as We
saw that file of soldiers had been placed to
guard this alley. Fixing back the bricks and
making all things as before, We again sought
our prison, with hearts filled with gloom and
hate. We watched every night for long
time, but the guard were always there every
night.
Year: 1863

Senator Wall of New Jersey tells how it
happened that the indemnity bill got through
the Senate without opposition. -Four of
Our men "-and he named them" four of
our men were so drunk they couldn't leave
their rooms and the others, not knowing
how drunk these men were, had gone off to
Count Mercier's party"
Year: 1863

When these diseases first appear, which will carry
OF the system all the humors and Mobhc Matter thro
the secreons Of the SKIN, Kidneys nd Bowels; also
restore the Liver to its proper action and the
Year: 1863

LONELINESS OF Coon TENPER.--Ts she
not the very sparkle and sunshine of life
"a woman who is happy because she
can't help it--whose smiles even the cold
est sprinkle Of misfortune cannot cloud or
dampen. Men make a terrible mistake
when they marry for beauty. for talents.
or for style. The sweetest wives are
these who possess the magic secret Of be-
ing eontented under any circumstances


Rich or poor, high or low, it makes no
difference; the bright little fountain of
JOY bubbles up just as musically in their
hearts. DO they live in log cabin, the
fire that leaps up on its humble hearth
becomes brighter than the gilded chande.
liers in a palace. Where isIhe stream of
life SO dark and unpropitious that the
sunshins Of . happy face falling on tho
turbid tide will not awaken an answering
gleam4 Why, these joyOusly tempered
psePls, don't know half the good they do ?
Year: 1863

New YoHK, May Is.
The Express understands that Mcclellan
last week sent a request to the President to
either accept his resignation or place him
in active service. Rumor says the reply
stated active service, and that Mcclellan
would be required at an early day.


The Tribune states that General Sigel
returned from Washington after an inef-
fectual effort to be assigned to duty even
on the Commanding Generals staff.


The Herald's special states that arrange
ments are making for the immediate re-
lease and exchange of the prisoners who
were captured during the recent opera
tions in Virginia and elsewhere.
Year: 1863

seceHslonists IN California.


- A San Francisco correspondent of the
New York Evening Post says that while
some people there have been disposed to
laugh at the plots lately discovered, Cand
which have been noticed in the LEADER, )
it is a fact that there are not less than
three thousand Of the residents Of that
city who are sympathizers with the rebels.
Another vessel has been Overhauled on
suspicion Of fitting out as a priyateer.
Information Of character sufficient to
warrant the seizure of the bark Francis
Palmer having been given to the Custom
House authorities, a strict watch was kept
over her On Tuesday, the 3lst ult, she
cleared for Valparaiso and left her berth
in the evening, but as she proceeded down
! the harbOr, and when near the mouth Of
the Gate, she was boarded by three boats
from the sloop.of-war Cyane, and ordered
back, and was anchored for the night un-
der the guns Of the Cyane. On Wednes-
day morning the revenue officers made
thorough overhauiing of the vessel, but
could not find anything to confirm the re-
ports alluded to. She was bound on a
legitimate voyage, having been fitted out
for an expedition to the Falkland Islands
for the purpose Of recovering treasure
from wrecked vessel. She was of course
released, but her seizure showed those who

would like TO aid the enemy that strict
watch was kept of ali movements by the
officers Of the Government The Navy
aFard at Mare Island is in a complete state
Of defense, and men are kept standing at
the guns. Theloyal citizens Of Napa conn
ty are under arms, and a detachment of
United States troops has been sent from
Fort Point to Benicia, The military reg
ulations on Alcatraz Island are at present
very stringent. No visitor is permitted to
pass by the sentinel and guard-houses up
to the barracks without a permit or per-
sOnal introduction to the commanding Of
fcer There are many improvements Of a
substantial and permanent character in
progress. On the west side Of the island,
above a perpendicular wall Of rock, line
Of batteries of great strength are in an
advanced state of completion. On these
viii be mounted some eight or ten Of the
mammoth ffteen-inch guns shortly ex-
pected from the East.
Year: 1863

A NOVELTY IN LADIES VEILs-A new
style Of wells has recently become the rage,
especially among young ladies. They are
made in the fashionable black and white
figured lace, with a fine elastic run through
the upper part, which fits to the edge of the
bonnet A second elastic is run through the
lower part of the veil, short distance from
the bottom, which fastens it under the chin,
giving The effect of street mask, transpa-
rent, but very coquettish.
Year: 1863

dod. This would leave but little ovol
four Thousand to hayo been killed,
wounded and captured in tho tremen.
dous battles OF Saturday and Sunday,
when at the Yeryleast one hundred aud
fifty thousand men met in deadly con.
flict. If Hooker and lee commanded
Chinese armies this might have been
possible, but as they were Americans
on both sides it is simply incredible
The rOut Of the Eleventh corps, and the
driving pack Of our whole lines for two
days in succession, must have cost us
we will not say how many men, but
certainly moro than four thousand.
Judging by the other battles Of the
war, this fight ought to have put TWEEN
ty.fve thousand men h0rS du combat
General Hooker may be right in his
estimate, but if he is, the fighting on
both sidea was disgraceful,


But the themo is too painful to dwell
upon. The whole management Of the
campaign shows a painful lack both
Of capacity and true courage; Of men
tai force and high sense OF honor.
Our rulers arc alike incapable and un'
veracious.
Year: 1863

WHES you find 4 before your name on
rOur paper, please renew your subscription,
IS it is a notice that the time for which it
has been paid will expire in few days,


Articles of much length, intended for publ
cation, must be handed in in the forenoon to
nsure publication next day.
Year: 1863

from the Washington Star, august IL


Tho latest from the front represents al quiet
there the terrible heat Of the weather aoae being quite
sufficient cause for action Meantime, however, I,
everything Is kept in fighting trim Officers mad II rs
difficult TO get furloushs they meht be called into
the next hour, and everything indicates that the
discipline OF the army Is admirably maintained. When
army In this excellent training shall have its raIks
filed up With the rapidly reaching II wc
may assured that army JeI Davis raise will be
able to oppose It's progress towards tho very centre Of the
rebellion.
Year: 1863

} We regret that this Convention has star
ted on a road fthat we can't travel. We
are not this morning able to state the whole
case; but we shall hold ourselves free to
support whatever candidate we please. We
are for this Union, and can't follow move
ment that Is departing from the subject
further and further. ., s pr


To put down a rebellion requires some
wisdom and statesmanship, as we'll as skill
and courage in war. We see none of the
former in the conduct of this Administra-
tion. rs policy has damaged the cause Of
of the Union, and made more rebels than
it has conquered by the sword.


We hear great deal about vigorous
prosecution Of the war; but we have little
of it in practice, whilst swe have a great
deal of itin confiscation bills and proclama-
tions. War, it is true true, does not settle
disputes. but it makes opportunities for it;
aud If we had had war vigorously prosecu-
ted, without cou6scations and proclamations,
this war might have been over some time
ago, in our opinion.


Upon the present programme we see no
day light ahead, and we did hope Kentucky
would have said so plainly.
Year: 1863

When man has made up his mind to do
or not do thing, he should have the pluck
to say so, plainly and decisively. 1t is a
mistaken kindness-if meant as kindness
to meet a request you have determined not
to grant, with" I'll see about it" or "I'll
think the matter over" or Il can not give
you positive answer now call in few
days and I'll let you know" 1t may be
said, perhaps, that the object of these am
biguous expressions is to let the appli-
cant down easy" but their tendency is to
give him useless trouble and anxiety, and
possibly to prevent his seeking what he re-
quires in more propitious quarter, until
! after the golden opportunity has passed.
Moreover, it is questionable whether the
motives for such equiv0cation are as phi
lanthropic as some people suppose. Gen
orally speaking, the Individual who thus
avoids q direct refusal, does so to avert
himself pain. Men without decision of
character have an indescribable aversion
to say "No." They can think" No"-some-
times when it would be more creditable to
their courtesy and benevolence to say
"Yes, but they dislike to utter the bold
word that represents their thoughts. They
prefer to mslead and deceive. 1t is true
that these bland and considerate people are
often spoken of as every gentlemanly."
But is it gentlemanly to keep man in sus-
pense for days, and perhaps weeks, merely
because you don't wish to put him out by
a straightforward declaration? He only
is a gentleman who treatG his fellow men
in manly, straightforward way. Never
seem, by ambiguous words, to sanction
hopes you do not intend to crafty. Ifyou
mean "No," out with it!
Year: 1863




The neigh of the horse, faint and distinct
but unmstakable, had come floating up the
ravine upon the still night air. And though
after waiting many minutes, it was not re-
peated, it had been so distinct as to exclude
all doubt.


I" 1t must have come up the hollow" he
muttered, " from any other direction | could
never have heard it,"


And without hesitating for moment he
prepared to go in the direction indicated.
Throwing his blanket at the foot of the
tree he grasped the rifle, poured fresh
powder into the pan, lest the night air
might have affected the printing, and then
drawing his belt around SO as to bring his
knife convenient to his hand, he set out
cautiously down the ravine-one man in
pursuit of more than twenty.


Cautiously and slowly he proceeded down
the bed Of the ravine-gradually descend
ing toward the lower level of the river
bottom! He was guided wholly by the
little rvulet which tinkled quietly along
his path-for the dim starlight could not
penetrate the depth in which he walked
and his progress was consequently very
slow. The way was winding too, and
seemed almost to run parallel with the Mis-
sissippi and its channel grew deeper and
more broken. Other streams came floating
in on either hand, and at every moment he
was compelled to halt and grope his way
across the gorges. Large trees stood OBJ
stinately i'll his path and roots and briers
vines and thickets, impeded his advance
But patient perseverance, rengthened by
the hope of rescping the captive, still car,
ried him forward over every obstacle.


More than an hour had been spent thus
and he begun to listen more atteDtively
and, if possible. watch more closely foI
signs of his enemies. He halted on the
Year: 1863

NINE FoLLIEs.-To think that the more
man eats the fatter and stronger he will be-
come.


To believe that the more hours children
study at school, tho faster they learn.


To imagine that every hour taken from
sleep is an hour gained.


To act on the presumption that the small
est room in the house is large enough to
sleep in.


To argue whatever remedy causes one to
feel Immediately better is good for the
system, without regard to more ulterior
effects.


To commit an act which is felt in itself
to be prejudicial, hoping that somehow or
other it may be done in your case with
impunity.


To advise another to take remedy which
you have not tried, or without making spe-
cial inquiry whether all the conditions are
alike.


TO eat without an appetite, or continue
to eat after it has been satisfied, merely to
crafty the taste.


To cat hearty supper for the pleasure
experienced during the brief time it is pass
ing down the throat at the expense of a
whole night of disturbed sleep, and weary
waking in the morning.
Year: 1863

I'm thinking Just now of Nobody,
And all that Nobody's done,
For Pve passion for Nobody,


That Nobody else would own
/ bear the name Of Nobody,


For from Nobody | sprung
And ! sing the praise of Nobody.
AS Nobody mine has sung.
In Life's morning Nobody


To me was tender and dear:
And my cradle was rocked by Nobody,
And Nobody was ever near;
| was petted and praised by Nobody,
And Nobody brought rue up;
And when ! was hungry, Nobody
Gave me to dine or to sup.
went to school to Nobody,


And Nobody taught me TO read;
/ played in the street with Nobody,
And to Nobody ever gave heed;
| recounted my tale 10 Nobody,
For Nobody was willing TO hear;
And my heart it olung to Nobody,
And Nobody shed tear.
And when I grew older, Nobody
~Gaye me a helping turn;
And by the good aid of Nobody,
began my living to earn;
And hence courted Nobody,


And said Nobody's I'd be,
And asked 10 marry Nobody,


And Nobody married me.
Thus l trudge along with Nobody,
And Nobody cheers my life;
And ] have a love for Nobody


Which Nobody has for his wife.
So here's health to Nobody,


For NobOdy's now in town,
And I've a passion for Nobody,


That Nobody else would own.