smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1863

Leaden grey clouds were trooping across
the dull, sodden sky. Fitful gusts of wind
rung weird notes on the bare branches Of the
old elm, that flung ito gaunt arms over the
half ruined tenement house. Within bare
cherries room, woman lay on a couch, dy-
ing. The fire on the hearth burned low, aud
the little tongues of fame were ever and anon
shroudsd in N pile of livid white ashes Com
fortless enough was the cold bare room,
where grim poverty sat throned yet, in it's
perfect neatness, breathing of the innate pu
rity of her whose feet were going down into
the dark River.


The thin hand lying on the one, scant cover
ing, told its tale of unrewarded toil-of the
long, slow cankerihg Of pain and anxiety
The face was almost transparent, yet beaming
traces of wendrous beauty in the blue, lus-
trous eyes, the sweetly curved mouth, and
the tangled masses of golden hair that the
invalid had tossed over the pillow in the fe.
verlsh restlesness of the last struggle.


Going down into the dark River, with no
hand to clasp hers until her feet touched the
other shore. Alone, alone in that dread hour
with no loving eyes to meet her last yearn-
ing words until the angels welcome home, -"
struck on her ear God help her in that
last, sad hour; for her heart turned toward
the one heart on which she had leaned in
those earlier, brighter days. She remem-
bered that her lips had been warm with his
kisses-that her ear had been no stranger 70
the sweetest story that woman ever hears.


Alone, with no requiem but the November
wind soughlng and sighing like human be
ing in agony, through the guarded old elm At
her window. No warmth or light except the
dying embers, 6tfully glowing on the desert
ed hearthstoue. No, not alone, for Jesus Of
Nazareth stood beside the dying woman
She reached out her weary hands to Him, as
the cold waters rolled over her, and the All
PItiful gathered her in his loving arms. The
light Of the other shore shone on her marble
face. The peace Of Heaven, the sweet trust
of sanctlfied spirit was in the smile that
fingered on her perfect lips. The long, dark
eyelashes rested on tho marble cheek but
the paid face bore the seal OF Huu who rad
supported her through "tDe valley ot the
shadow of DEATH" Never could sIythiag be
lovelier than the chiseled features of the lone
ly dead, curtained in hair that showed the
lustre of gold in the last iain, flicker of the
expiring embers.


Perhaps 1t vas only the creaking Of the
dry branches against the window but surely
the welcoming anthem of the New Jerusalem
were not far from that little room, from
which that white soul went out 10 meet its
God.


Footsteps are on the stair. A man crosses
the apartment with heavy tread. An ashen
pallness creeps over that fine face 40 he
kneels beside the lonely bed. Alas for you /!
Cecil Vanner, the dead face before youu is
that Of the only woman you ever loved. No
reply comes to your passionately murmured
words--no response to the kisses you press
on the pale brow of your dead darling. Too
late comes the caresslng touch of your fin
Year: 1863

How softly on the bruised heart
A word of kindness falls,
And to the dry and parched soul,
The moistening tear drop falls;
oh, if they knew, who walk the earth,
Mid sorrow grief and pain,
The power a word of kindness hath,
'Twere paradise agaiu
The weakest and the poorest may
This simple pittance give,
And bid delight to withered hearts
Return again nd live;
Oh, what is life if love be lost
If mans unkind to man
Or what to heaven that waits beyond
This brief and mortal span?
As stars upon the tranquil sea
In mimic glory shine,
So words of kindness in the heart,
Reflect the soul divine
o, then be kind, who'er thou art
That breathest mortal breath,
And it shall brighten all thy life,
And sweeten even death.
Year: 1863

NEW YORK, Oct I-At a meeting of the
Chamber OF Commerce to-day a report was
made from the committee to examine the har-
Dor defenses. They say that vessels would be
exposed TO raking fire of eight hundred guns
of the heaviest caliber in passing into the har-
Dor, and they therefore did not see no w a hos
tile vessel could go through the Narrows The
harbor is in perfect state of defence,
Year: 1863

The men who are not Southern In avn
from the South


they are not with us. they are
against us, and had better, for their own
sake and for ours, bo removed from ns
This persistent, stubborn fealty 10 an
abolition ianatioal power endeavorinp
the determination Of their own people,
aud the devastation of their own State
is as truculent humiliating and dis
graceful as IL isuseless, reckless. and IN.
productive Of good and patriotic results.
We haveno sympathy with such dogged
Southerners and secret hatred as mani
lests ITSELF on every side in assasaina-
tions and bridge burnings. The Quiet
policy has been pursued so long that the
traitors look upon the lenience of tho
Ooniederate authorities as an evidence
OF weakness and uncertainty as 20 our
own success. They had better abandon,
now and forever all such opinions, or
else abandon their present abiding pla-
ces, and withdraw 20 an atmosphere
more congenisl TO their way Of thinking.
Tennessee can never become Union
"e "Ah ~ Nah never NC AOoiiNleu-ll ne-
longs naturally TO the South, and the
blood Of an hundred thousand of her
gallant sons will water the valleys of our
State from cast TO west, TO establish that
fact beyond peradyenture


We weary Of protecting ignOramuses
who will not be persuaded. The traitors
who assassinatc people from behind
bushes must be hanged to the tree tons
and left there as proof of our earnest
ness in this struggle for what we hold
deareri than our lives-our liberty. A
half dozen bushwhackers hung up in
conspicuous places throughout the coun-
try would have beneficial effect. We
regret the necessity which demands such
measures. But we have too much at
stake TO permit treason to run riot in
our very midst, when our own wives and
children are turned out upon the roads
from their own homes to starve, and
whilea servile insurrection is being in
stigated by the fendish fanatics of the
North Let caution be urged in tho de-
lection of all bushwhackers, and bridge
burning traitors, not regularly in the
Yankee service, as we'll as the crafty
fellows who secretly urge them and en-
courage them in thee evils, but when
they are caught aud convicted, let them
be swung up in Gods name
Year: 1863

having had eleven marching days, and tht


distance traevlled was, On the route pursued


by the main army, two hundred and fou


miles; some brigades marching on branch
ing roads made the distance much further


This made an average. by the main army, o


q little over eighteen miles per day. The


march was compact, too. The mounted dl'


vision in front did not run off and leave tue


infantry out of sight and hearing in its rear


If any army during the war has made bet


ter time we should be glad to chronicle the
fact.


1t was this CELEBRITY OF movement that COM
pletely disconnected Buckner, and sent
him flying in disgracefuI haste across the
Tennessee river within Bragg's protecting
folds at Chattanooga, without hazarding a
fight with an enemy under whose feet the
grass never grows. The effect upon Buck
ner was extremely funny. He evacuated
this place with such indecent haste that he
forgot his forces in Cumberland Gap en-
tirely, land left them to be surrounded and
cut Off That this is the fact is proven by
the circumstances that three days after
the entire rebel machinery had gone south
Wdu uCIC az 'pSNNj
the rebel commissary at the Gap HrTived
for the purpose of drawing rations, and on
his arrival first learned that the rebel gov
ernment had departed this realm.


The wonderful march Of General Burn
side is not vet completed, as the rebels are
learning to their cost. Like the men of
Rhoderic Dhu, who srvang into life in the
most impossible pll'es at the sound OF
their leaders, bugie CALL the federal uni
form suddenly -ppears at points where they
are least expected, and then somebody is
surprised and brought, much against his will,
under the @gis of the American eagle. 1t
is as yet too snon to 60 into the history Of
this campaign with particularly, and we
have merely sketched the outline of the
march, in order that our readers may see
that the army started to our deliverance at
he earliest practicable moment, aud made
,he best time on record when it did start.
Year: 1863

THE SITUATION ON THE BLACKWATER


The advices from the Blackwater are still
exciting. The enemy in large force still men,
ace our troops i'll that section, and some appre-
tensions for the safety of Suffolk have been
entertained. The proceedings in that vicinity
may be- summed up follows:-The rebels
crossed the Blackwa1er from Franklin, on the
morning Of Saturday last, with the professed
intention of getting between Suffolk and Nor
tolk, thereby cutting off railroad and tele-
graphic communication. Late in the day some
slight skirmishing took place, and Col. Spear
advanced with his cavalry brigade to q point
on the Blackwater road, one mile from Suf-
folk, from whence he opened upon the enemy's
skirmisherS with his hOwitZers. In the even
ing the bridge over the Nansemond river was
blown up, thus foiling any designs the rebels
might have had OF entering Suffolk over this
structure, and torpedoes were placed under
all the other bridges leading to the town. At
daylight on the 18th, our troops abandoned
their position on the South Quay road, and
two hours later the advance of rebel force on
the road from Sonerton, thirteen miles south
body on the road from Zuni. The latest direct
information is up TO noon of the 18th, and Is to
the effect that the enemy had their field pieces
in position on the Petersburg railroad, in front
of our lines, with large force of infantry in
reserve, and that other commands were ad-
vancing up the Edenton and Somerton roads
1t was believed by our troops that they could
successfully resist any attack the enemy might
make, but the public will await with anxiety
further details.
Year: 1863

The Chronicle thinks that it could make some
allowance Tor disloyalty in the loyal States if
the Government had been unreasonably severe
but as the war has been conducted with so
much lenIency towards its enemies, it can form
no excuse for those who desire its overthrow
Justice Carter's charge to the grand jury of this
city, and the recent proclamation of General
burnside, are regarded as indicative of a better
state of affairs, when unconditional loyalty
will be made the test and enemies to the Gov
eminent be permitted no longer to enjoy its
protection.


The Intclligencer, in noticing the New York
Worlds expressions ef alarm at an intimation
contained in the letter of Gen. Halleck to the
committee of IN vitation OF the ." Loyal Leagues
OF New York." to the effect that our patriotic
armies will ere long crush the rebellion at the
South and "then place their heels apoH the heads
= snenkin9 traitors in the North,' says that the
metaphor is plainly POLITICAL and not military.
Year: 1863

FoR THE SICK SoLD!ERs.-Dr. M NJ. Marsh, Inspector of the U. $. Sanitary Commission for the Department of the South, has given 10 Rev. R. G. Williams, Delegate of the U. S Christian Commission, receipt for making Rheubarb Wine. which he says is the best rem cdy for Dysentcry and darrhea as yet known. As these complaints are very common among our soldiers, and in the South quite apt 10 become chronic and fatal. it is hoped the frieAds of the soldier will make up good sup ply for their use, and forward it to the Sani tary Commission, or to Hospital Surgeons The following is the recipe:

 Peel and slice the stock of the leaf as for pies; put very small quantity of water in the vessel, only just enough 10 cover the bot tom ; cover the vessel and gradually bring to rlight boil then strain, pressing out all the liquid to this liquid add an equal quantity of water; to each gallon (after mixed) add four to five pounds of brown sugar, set aside ferment and skim like currant wine leave in the cask nnd in bulk as long as possible before sending away. All wine is better kept in casks.
Year: 1863

un- DIR. HOSTETTER'S STOMACH BITTERS
should be in the possession of everybody in the
mining region. A. preventative of the various
dangerous diseases to which the gold seeker is la
ble it has no superior. While it is quite paatable
as beverage, it is speedy and powerful in its effect
upon the system. In all cases of Diarrhoa Dysen-
terry, and the prevailing fevers consequent upon
exposure, the Bitiers viii be found invaluable As a
corrective. No man should enter upon the exposed
camp life of miner without being provided with
Hostetters preventive Of stomach disease nor
should any of those who are engaged in the oecupa-
tou, fail to have recourse to the Bitters Sold by
all Druggists and dealers everywhere.
Year: 1863

WAX FLowgRs.-Mr. Hunt has a vase of
wax flowers, which are the most beautiful and
perfectly executed of anything of the kind We
have ever seen They are on exhibition at his
saloon, aud those who appreciate works Of that
description should see them
Year: 1863

LEGAL WEIGHT OF A TON.-The Treasury
Department has decided that the measure Of a
ton in making assessments for the internal
revenue, shall be two thousand two hundred
and forty pounds.
Year: 1863

As Illustrative of the speculative spirit that
pervades the management Of the war, We may
mention that the drafting Commissioner for
this county recently visited the Governor, and,
on his return, stated that there was nothing
thought of with the State officers but how can
we make the most out of this or that transac-
draft would take place on the Both instant. as
announced. With such management, the war
is likely to continue as long as greenbacks are
considered valuable. c.
Year: 1863

CoRRUPrIoN. = Parson Browulow. in the
course OF letter. thus refers to the corruption
that pervades all branches of the public ser
vice The amount of corruption in every
department Of the Government is perfectly
astounding, and at the same time dishearten-
ing to the loyal man. If l were editing a
public journal | would expose these frauds


this treaohery and all connected herewith. il
Year: 1863

every other decision and law and the Constitu-
ton. where it seems necessary 10 give Repub-
lican policy its perfect work. If one decision
of the Court NAV be thus overturned, may not
every one, and the rights Of suitors become the
prey of political necessities, and the law Of the
land as uncertain in its application as the ca
prices OF the meanest depot? This last
act of the Administration does not surprise
those who have foreseen the inevitable ,enden-
cies OF the Republican organization. 1t will.
however, open the eyes of thousands 10 their
party who have denied an inclination to negro
equality, and have held that negroes are not
citizens. They will see now that, while the
commonest Justice has been refused to thou
sands of white men. a deliberate attempt is
made to shower privileges upon the blacks.


Union Feeling.


The Southern press generally repudiate the
idea of return to the Union. The unbounded
satisfaction with which the Republican press
hurl this fact at the Democratic conservative
element, whom they term conspirers, indicates
that the Republicans, also, repudiate the idea
of restoring the Union. The Democratic sen
timent, that has swept over the loyal States at
the last elections, does not propose to compro-
mise with men who will not compromise. They
simply propose to break the military power of
such men, and by so doing restore the Union
The Republicans are waging the war for the
imposition of terms they have no right TO
make. Their theory is that they can compel
the South to accept degrading terms The
Democratic theory is that they cannot, and
should not if they could They think men who
refuse TO compromise, will much sooner accept
the old Union, than submit to the dictation of
terms that would degrade them.


The War Committee,


Whenever the Congressional Committee ap-
pear upon the scene, some fresh disaster is sure
to follow. They have now gone to Fredericks-
burg. What new calamity is in store for the
country? What crime or blunder is now TO
be perpetrated? Let treason rejoice, and the
rebels put on bold front. Their best friends
have gone to c0arol Burnside, and are now
plotting mischief in the ranks of the Govern
ment troops. Another victory for the rebels
is certain to follow the visit Of Chandler and
Wade to the Federal army God save the
country.
Year: 1863

In days of old, long before the deep soli-
tudes OF the West were disturbed by white
men, it was the custom of the Indian war
riors of the forest TO assemble at the great
cataract Of Niagara, and offer human
sacrifice to the Spirit of the Falls. The
offering consisted of white canoe full of
ripe fruits and beautiful flowers which was
padded over the terrible falls by the fair
est of the girls who had arrived at the age
of womanhood. 1t was counted an honor
by the tribe to whose lot it fell TO make the
fearful sacrifice, and even the doomed maid
en- deemed it high honor TO be selected TO
guide the white canoe on its hideous errand.
But even in the heart of the red man there
are feelings which cannot be subdued, and
chords which snap if strained too tight.


The only daughter of a chief Of the SEN
eca Indians was chosen as a sacrifcial Of
fering to the Spirit of Niagara. Her moth
er had been slam by hostile tribe, and her
father was the bravest among the warriors I;
his stern brow seldom relaxed save to his
blooming child whom was now the only joy
to which he clung to earth. When the lot
of the doomed one tell on his beloved
daughter, not muscle of his riged counte-
nance moved in the pride of Indian en-
durance he crushed down the agony that
rent his bosom. AT length the fatal day
arrives; savage festivities and rejoicings
are prolonged until the shades of evening
close around, and the darkness of night
falls like pail upon the wild funeral feast.


But the pale beams of the rising moon
cast mystic light upon the dark waters f;
higher and higher she rises in the still heay-
ems, and the foam and mists from the mighty
falls CLEAN with a soft and silver light
Niagara thunders into the dark abyss, but
all besides is in a calm repose; the Queen of
night stoops to kiss the laughing waves,
and all nature breathes of love, and peace,
and happiness the wild songs and h e
wilder whoop of the rejoicing savages sud-
denly cease; the dread moment has arrived,
and hush--an awful mysterious hush-is
is upon the eager, listening crowd.


And now the white canoe glides from
tile bank, and is Instantly swept into the
fierce rapids. From this moment escape
is hopeless. Calmly she steers her frail
bark towards the centre of the stream


whilst frantic yells and deafening shouts
of encouragement and appreciation burst
Year: 1863

THE FIGHTING METHoDIsTs.-The "a
Iowa regiment, called the Methodist regi-
ment, was in the terrible conflict at Vicks-
burg on the 22d of May. The Colonel
and several of the Captains are Methodist
preachers and majority of the soldiers are
members of the Methodist Church. They
did some of the best fighting of the day.
They went into the battle full of enthusi-
asm, and not one of them finched during
the engagement. The Major was wounded
late in the day. He walked from the field,
and on his way to the hospital captured
stalwart Confederate, and compelled him TO
carry him ON his back to the Provost Marsh
ais headquarters. A correspondent says
it was laughable sight to see Major
Wright riding his captive into camp. The
casualty lists of the Methodists is very
large, and shows that they stood up TO their
work like true soldiers. On returning
from the battle field in the evening they
held religious meeting, at which the ex-
ercises were very impressive.
Year: 1863




Henry Ward Beecher should be carefully
and hoaghyuly read by all. They are
worthy of being treasured in the innermost
heart of hearts:


" mean the event of dying. Before the
coming of Christ death was sunset bat he
has reserved it, and il is sunrise, now, I'M
der the Christian dispensaton, and in the
light of the revelations of the New Testa-
ment. 1t is when we die, had almost
said, that our joys begin to blossom. They
are buds till death comes. Death is the
spring that opens them. Victory is sound
ing like many y-chorded band about the
hour Of dying. In the Christian teaching
all forms Of beauty are there. Sorrow ana
signing flee from the presence Of deaths f.
is emancipation. 1t is wedding.


/ The terms that designate dying in the
New Testament are falling asleep IN Jesus.
There is nothing so beautiful in the world,
as at evening, when the birds are hushed,
and everything is quiet, for a little child to
run and nestle in its mothers arms, and, in
the midst of sweet singing and caressings,
falls asleep on her bosom; and yet that is
the figure which the New Testament en-
ploys to represent dying. Falling asleep in
Jesus! lie gathers his children to himself
at the evening of life, aud soothes them TO
rest, and they think that they are going to
sleep, but they wake to sleep no more.


1t is around about dying, that abhorred
act, that dreaded golgoiha, that the New
Testament gathers all these sweet words
and ideas. If there is one thing in respect
to which man is yet in state of sarageism
and barbarism, it is the idea of dying. In
Ithe New Testament that is the local point
of light; but in our ordinary feelings it is
the focal point of darkness. In the New
Testament it is like midday but in our or
dinary feelings it is like midnight We are
striving TO make it not only as painful in
the anticipation, but as repulsive and horri-
BILE in the act, as we can. And when one
dies, though the person departs with the
innocency Of childhood. or with full Chris
tian faith, the house is made to stand out with
insignia of extreme and unutterable grief
and despair is hung in colors, and pictured
on our very faces and our Christian con.
duct is conduct that bellies the inspiration
and teaching of the New Testament on the
subject of death. And when we speak of 6
mans dying as thing that is glorious, oil
say that it is better for young man to die fol
his country than TO live hundred years o
ordinary commercial selfshness, people arr
shocked; for there is a heather, barbar
Gus, savage notion in respect to dying, a.
though it was Gods guilotine by which mer
were sacrificed in a loa;hsome way, while il
the New Testament it is spoken Of as God
/ baI of l.
rocks men to sleep; as Goa's emancipa
ton as all that is bright and cheering an,
hopeful.


Take away, then, all that there is in IT,
past, and take away all that there is of fea
and vexation in the future, and bring me
into the full inspiration of the truth, tina
God loves them, and watches over them
and takes care of them day by day, an,
that jesus Christ has manifested himsel
for their salvation"