smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

% The habit of going constantly
armed with knife or pistol, or both,
has been a most prolific cause Of crime.
The greatest coward is likely to COM
init un,e such circumstances the most
unprovoked murder. Fear makes him
anxious to anticipate his opponent, and
the more likely to commit an outrage,
and hence the most inoffensive man
simply guarding his own rights or pur-
suing his own reasonable and lawful
amusements, is liable to be shot down
by such cowardly dog.
Year: 1859




4 month or two since, the Office of DIR.
Dostie, dentlst, on Baronne street, near Canal,
was visited and unavaiiabIy tried by bur
glars. The Doctor has n youthful assistant
an Irish boy, named James, about fifteen
years old, who does all that boy can do for
dentist, and who sleeps in back room of
the Office, which consists of three rooms on
the ground floor, with a small but highly
fenced-in back yard, the gate of which opens
on side alley opening from Baronne street.


After the above burglarious attempt, The
Doctor, finding that Jimmy was willing to
sleep as usual in his usual bed, and willing
to shoot any one who might disturb his
slumber, presented Jimmy with a pair of
Derringer pistols. Jimmy, not apprehend-
ing visit from the rear of the Office, put the
pistols in a drawer of wash-stand, in the
middle room, where he kept them until
about four o'clock on Thursday morning.
What took place at that hour we will give
in Jimmy own language, as he modestly
related to US yesterday:


81 was woke up by noise in the back
yard. There was ladder standing in the
corner; heard noise like some one COM
ing down il, and I held my breath. could
hear a man step softly like he had slippers
on he stopped every step TO listen. The
door was not fastened or even shut. lie
come into the room softly, and come to the
bed and raised the bar and took look at
me. could just see it was a man, and he
had big knife in his hand; / could see it
by the light coming in at the door. ! pre-
tended to be asleep, but | was wide awake,
and waiting patiently to see what he would
do He struck light with a piece of can
die and match he took from his pocket
When he got the camille lit, he come to the
he'd aud raised the bar aud took another
look at me; this time shut my eyes and
5reathed like I was asleep. He had bis knife
in his hand all the time; it was a great big
knife, half as long az my arm.


AFTER he looked at me little while, he
started for the front room, stopping every
step to listcn. raised up softly, and when
| saw he was in tile front room, got out of
bed and walked on my tip-toes after him, to
get the pistols in the wash stand. The
wash stand is in corner, behind the door
opening from the middle to the front room
| got the pistols out, but / made little
noise, and the man ran back into the room.
He had the candle in one hand, and his big
knife raised in the other. But before DE
saw me behind the door, had both pistols
raised and pointed at him, and told him if
he came three steps nearer to me | would
shoot him.


He looked at roe little bit, and kept
the pistols raised He then hacked out,
goius sideways, and looked at me all the
time. Whenever I started to follow him,
he would stop, and then would stop. When
he got TO the door of my room, he dropped
his candle, and made a rush for the back
yard he upset the chairs and made great
racket. ! then chased him, AMI lust he
was getting up the ladder, / banged away
at him. and down he fell. thought had
shot him, but he jumped up aga, and be-
fore | could get the other pis..l cooked,
he ran np the ladder aud made his escape
over the fence"
Year: 1859

T HAVE bought the patent Of Messrs. y r.
L G. j. Frorost's fsoEs Scaevg and LIE
yer Press. for the Parishes nt East and est
Feliciana and Pointe Coupoe. This press Is now
ahead Of all others in use. tor durability. eeon0-
INV. strength &C. and it is the same that took the
premium at the Mississippi State Fair i'll 1858.


The sale Of the patent Of this celebrated Press
for the different counties in the Southern States
has been unprecedented; and it is generally pre-
dctcd that in few years. they Will supcfcedc
ali other cotton Presses known.


\ word as to the cost off these presses: 1t has
been proven beyond the least possibility OF
doubt that there has never been Press invented
that can begin TO ocomparc with this one for cheap
ness. Therefore if there is anything in cconomy,
they must certainly fad great favor with The cot
ton planting portion of our community. They
seldom get out of repair, are easily fixed. and
taking all things into consideration. no Press
has ever been thought Of by any mechanic that
is destined to prove Of SO great benefit TO the
cotton planter, as ProTost's Iron Screw and Lc-
Yer Press


In the language Of the Messrs, Provost we
claim for this Press many advantages over all
the Presses in use The Press is well adapted to
any style of Gin House, as it can be worked in
Or out of the lint room taking up but little space
requires but little timber and must be durable.
as all Of its working parts are of iron: Of great
power, as it combines beth the lever and the
screw, and SO simple that the negroes can work
it with dispatch. We can press any weight Of
bales required with ease''


As it is more easy to convince persons Of the
superiority of this press by showing it in full
operation, this is to let planters know that Ihave
one in Bayou Sara, and viii take pleasure in
showing it to any who may desire to purchase.
will also contract to put up these Presses on
any plantation in the parishes Of Pointe Coupee
and East and West FtSiciana. Orders particu-
great superiority Of Proyosts Press all Others
in existence. ijel1. FL. TENNEY.
Year: 1859

of the opening of Congress, says:


oIckIcs was not present when his name.
was called, but cutcrcd before the roll
was gotten through He walked placid
y round the center row Of seats and
dropped into seat Oh the third bench
lie looks well and has grown his beard
50 as to make d tolerabe effective dis
golse. tie was the only solitary man
An that large as8embIage. lie was not
spoken to.
Year: 1859

THE SEA SERPENT CAUGHT.-The Yarmouth
Register says that the far-famed sea serpent has
lately visited that port and was chased up narrow
creek and caught He turned out to be " horse
mackerel," measuring over eight feet in length and
weighing 3l6 pounds. The Register says:


at is the opinion of experienced fishermen that
this is the fish which has given rise to the belief in
a sea serpent. When it is running at its ordinary
speed in search of prey, it moves along just under
the surface Of the water, producing wave which
rises up in series Of corrugations for about one
hundred feet in straight line, before it falls off in
to the ordinary spreading wake produced by body
moving through the water. This appearance in
moderate weather so closely resembles that of a
huge serpent moving over the surface of the water
that it is difficult, for those accustomed to the
appearance, to realize that il is nothing but wave
time, it should strike the beholder with terror.
Year: 1859

The folly of betting is well illustrated
in the following article from Lifc IHhs,
raied -


"Thcre's no such word"


There is.


"Want to bet on it :"


Again.


you can't Go it


"What'll you bet:


How many such phrases are uttered
daily. What'll you oct Want to bet
on it? Be-: you five dollars. Bet you
a bottle o'wine. Bet you a hat A
bet is the regular proceeding at horse
races. and in the sweet circles of "the
fancy and sporting mcn;" it is a very
common practice in politics and business
But that's not all. With a large number
Of silly or mistaken people, ,"bet" Is a f.
nal argument even in ordinary conversa-
ton and discussion. They have more
money than brains, and so they look to
their money to do their reasoning -
They think that If they are only ready
to ''back their opinion" they are pretty
sure to be right. We have IN mind a
wealthy gentleman who used to discuss
horticultural questions, and elinch his
argument by Offering to de- osit five hun
dred thousand dollars ii his opponent
would do as much, the total stakes to
20 to the one decide to be right This
Was usually unanswerable, if rot cont lu-
sive; for few writers on gardening have
such "littlc amount by them to risk
on the name OF pear, or the sex of
strawberry.


How idiotic. As if mans money
made any difference about his being
right. 1t does however, by The betting
argument, for that takes it for granted
that no man will decline to gamble on
his opinion unless he is conscious of be-
ing wrong. Or the only alternative is a
confession, suppose to be humiliating, of
poverty.


Aside from the ridiculous folly of
pretending to prove point by such an
appeal to the dollars there is broader
anl more important principle involved.
You bet and win. You did not earn
the money. 1t will do YOU no good
You lose, you feel that the amount is to
be taken from you without an cquiva-
lent, and you are instinctively irr'tated
by the untairness of the transaction -
In either event you are a gambler YOU
have So far enrolled youisefin the ranks
Of perhaps the most pernicious army of
scoundrels that was ever let loose on
earth. 1t is small amount. doubtless,
but the principle is involved. Risking
money on pure chances is Arrays wrong
and foolish it is ai'cays gambling a.
,cays contrary to expediency ana social
truth. and universal law of right.


Argue, if YOU please, If you don't
know enough TO argue, hold your tongue.
If you are wrong confess it like man.
Bat don't bet like fool
Year: 1859

WEEDS IN THE CoRS.-A trip to
the country discovers to US good deal
Of corn that needs attention If Ids that
will produce crop with more and
thorough culture, that will not amount
to more than "corn fod Ter" if LETT alone.
We stop our horse in front of a field
where there is good stand Of corn, mono
to high to work, which seems TO have
been lief: by the owner to take care of
itself. The weeds have invaded the
fed, and the only good they are Lossi.
bly, doing, is that they act as mulch to
the plant that would otherwise suffer
from the dry weather. But stirring the
soil is an equally good antidotc to this
dry time disease. and saves the good in
the soil for the use of the corn. Cult.
vation adrances corn-Puts il out Of the
way OF early frost. He is relative Of
the great family surnamed Slack. Who
neglects his corn because he believes it
too late, and will be injured BY frcss.--
There is more need OF exertion. snd an
almost certain rewa.d 10 follow il.
Year: 1859

There are practices tolerated in religious
congregations which Christians who are ieal-
Gus for the honor of their Masters house
should utterly condemning, and for the rea-
son the house of God should never be dis
turbed by the slightest approath to irrever-
ence- 1T is part Of my religion, y said pi-
Gus OLD lady, when asked why she went early
to churchill is a part of my religion not to
interrupt the religion of Others" And we be-
heve if many country congregation made a
part OF their religion not to twist their knees
almost OF joint to witness the entrance of ev-
cry person who passes up the aisle of the
meeting house, it would be better for both
their necks and their religion. A gross abuse
of religious decOrum sometimes need harsh
medicine as remedy.


We 90 not know whether it would be pro-
per for some Of our good ministering brethren,
who are sorely tried by the neck-twisting pro.
pensities Of their congregations, to use that
adopted by Henry Clay Dean, who was one
time chaplain of Congress, but we give it for
their consideration-of course, to adopt or re-
ject as they please. The anecdote is FROM a
Pacific Methodist


Being worried one afternoon by the turn
ing Praatice in his congregation, Mr., Dean
st0Dnad IN his sermon, and said


+" Now, you listen to me, and I'll tell you
who the people are as each one of them comes
in"


He then proceeded on with his discourse
until gentleman entered, when he bawled
out like an usher. "Deacon A., who keeps a
shop over the way" and then went on with
his Serm:a.


Pre-, .iiy some one entered the door who
was unk'swn to Mr.. Dean, when he cried out
"a little old man with drab coat and an
old white hat don't know him--look for
yourselves.


That congregation was cured.
Year: 1859

and having left him in charge of the Sub-Pre-
feet, took gendarme along with me, and
went to the factory. Monsieur Cazaubon
was surprised to see me back soon but he
was more surprised when asked him TO take
walk with me; when l called in the gen
darme, and babe him put the hand-cufs upon
the agent, he was ready to sink in the floor.
We had secured him before he had sense
enough to resist, land he was carried to the Office
of the ub-Prefect without trouble. At first he
denied everything; but when he found that
this would not avail, he swore he would kill
the boy.


In due time Monsieur Louis Cazaubon was
tried and condemned to death; and the
Project of Digne took possession of the infer
nalmachine. Before the villain was executed
he confessed his crilnes-told how many
years he had work to perfect his fatal instru
ment and produced the poison-and also
owned that the boy Henry had been driven
to help him through fear ofhis life.


So the rascal was executed. Henry Dupin
spent two years in confinement, and was then
set free, and commenced an honest life. As
for Inc, got all the praise l deserved, and
perhaps more. At all events, I:had done the
country some service, and the people were
not slow to acknowledge it.
Year: 1859

MRS. SwIssHELM is thoroughly indiuidual,
is responsible for nobody, and wishes nobody
responsible for herself The following is her
opinions of whom should be nominated at the
Forthcoming Republican Convention for Con-
gress and for other Offices:


l." For year past we had set our heart up
on Mr.. MIller's nomination. Knowing him as
we have for many years we could rely upon
him as one who will live up to his engage
ments. We could trust him in Washington! |!
He will always be sober, always in his place,
always wide awake, would vote for Freedom
everytime while his mental capacity, business
habits and extensive acquaintance with prom
inent public men gives him the power to serve
his adopted state to some purpose. OF Ger
man origin, speaking the language readily, a
popular orator and a personal favorite in this
region, he could carry the united Free Dem
Ocratic vote; and we cannot readily submit to
a decision which takes him out of the field
But he says, No.


Our next choice is VIM. H. Wood, of Sauk
Rapids, a Free Democrat, whom we should
prefer to. any Republican except Mr.. Miller,
ana al some respects even to him. lie has
leisure to canvass, is an old resident of the
State, IS mlnutely acquainted with our history
and wants and as man of integrity and
ability is unsurpassed by any one named in
connection with the Office. Northern Mime
sofa has right to claim one Of the Congress
men and no man in this region is better cal
culated to do honor to the State No Repub-
lican stands higher in his opposition to the
spread of slavery; and without having con-
suited Mr.. Wood, who is now in Kentucky
we name him as our candidate for Congress.


Of the other candidates named by the
MINNEsOTIAN" we endorse a. Ramsey for
Governor, and George A. Nourse for Attor-
ney General. John w. North we want for
the United States Senate; and some one else
who will stay sober, to fill every office that is
to be filled,


We shall not not knowingly support, for
any office, any man who is liable to see blue
stars after dinner.
Year: 1859

Attempt by Night to Rob the South.
ern and Western Mails-.-BIoody


Combat between the Robber and Mail


Agent.


From the Cleveland National Democrat May 20.
=. Last evening we learned the particulars of
one OF the most daring attempts to rob the
mails ever attempted in this country, and
which came near being successful. The West
ern and Southern Mails which left New York
Wednesday evening last by way of n Y. &
Erie K. H., were in charge of Mr. Keck,
through Mail Agent from New York to Gin
cinnati. About-11 o'clock at night, when
running over the Delaware Division, near El-
mira, Mr.. Keck lay down on his back upon
the mail bags to sleep, the door being partially
open. After dosing a short time, he felt
drop of something like water fall upon his
cheek, and opening his eyes drowsily he was
startled by the spectacle of burly looking
man standing over him with sponge which
was afterwards found to contain chloroform,
in one hand, and revolver in the other
Selling the arm which held the revolver, with
sudden grasp, Mr.. Keck closed in with the
robber, and then followed most desperate
combat. The Agent is large, robust and
powerful man, and he represents his antago-
mist man of uncommon physical strength
and endurance. Imagine for one moment the
scene. man in the mail car of an Express
train, in the dead of night, the noise of the
wheels effectually prevented any outcry he
might make being heard, and thus unable to
obtain aid or assistance from any quarter
struggling alone for his life with de sperado
with whom the combat seemed alike one of
life and death.


Mr.. Keck succeeded in wrestling the pis-
xp1f l. ,:ox L.
tempted to strike him with q pair of brass
knuckles with which he was provided. The
struggle lasted for full twenty minutes, the
train meanwhile being under full head way,
when Mr.. Keck succeeded in catching hold of
the bell-cord and giving it strong pull. The
robber then made desperate efforts to break
away from the Agent, and before the speed
of the train had Stacked very much he sue
ceeded in doing so,and sprang out of the door.
The train was stopped as soon as possible,
and backed to the spot where the robber
made the leap, which was down an embank-
ment one hundred feet high Although the
sand bore traces of his descent still nothing
could be found of the desperado. 1t was
fearful leap, and the Agent said his escape
from death was nothing short of miracle
Mr.. Keck passed through Cleveland last
evening, and having had no opportunity of
changing his clothes he showed all. the evil
dences of the severe conflict he had passed
through. He was bloody from head to foot,
and bore sanguinary cuts and bruises on his
person. He has the sponge, revolver and
ovcrcoat of the robber, which he will retain
as momentoes of the most exciting event in his
lfe He can only account for the presence of
the robber in the car in the following manner:
He says they received at New York two Sc
parate loads of mail bags, and thinks the fel-
low got in and secreted himself in the car
after the arrival of the first load. 1t was
several hours befoee Mr.. Keck recovered from
the effects of the chlorofor1n.
Year: 1859

$50 not to Thebes! The Sphinx is there;
And thou shalt see her beauty rare,
And thee the sorcery of her smile
To read her riddle shall beguile.
"Oh woe to those who fail to read!
And woe to him who shall succeed.
For he who fails the truth to show
The terror of her wrath shall know.
&" But shouldst thou find her mystery,
Not less is death assured to thee;
For she shall cease and thou shalt sigh
That she no longer is, and die"


-AtLantic Nonthly
Year: 1859

Sweet is the smile of home the mutual look


When hearts of each other sure;
Sweet all the joys that Crown the household nook,
The haunt of all affections pure;
Yet in the world these abide and we


Above the world, our calling boast
Once gain the mountain-top and thou art free;
Till then who rest, presume; who turn to look,


are lost.
Year: 1859

all ranks and ages. Even little children
may be seen with their lips dyed red, aud
the crimson juice running out at each side.
Their mouths are never, by any chance,
empty; as soon as one quid is disposed of,
another takes its place, so that SiaD1ese
always speaks as with a pebble in his mouth
and that no small one. The effect of the
chewing of large guilds is to enlarge the
lips considerably, TO dye them a sort of
black red, and entirely to alter the shape
of the lower part of the face. The Siam
ese say that the chewing of betel acts
as continual stimulant, and that they
could not exist without it. 1t is highly
injurious to the teeth, but think it does
not destroy health to any great extent
Smoking is another habit carried to an ex-
treme in Siam; men, women, and children
seem to live upon cigarettes and tobacco
rolled up in palm-leaf. 1 was told as a
fact by lady, that she had seen nursing
child Of two years old, take whifs of its
mothers cigar, alternately with its own
more natural nourishment. For this,
however, 1 will not vouch. But l have
frequently watched very pretty little girl
of five years old smoking cigarette while
she made mud pies. Most of these inveter-
ate smokers carry q reserve cigar stuck be-
hind each ear, as clerks carry pens.
Year: 1859

The NEW WHEAT CROP. - During a


trip north, Saturday, on the Mad River
Railroad, we gave particular attention to


the growing wheat crop on the road, and
obtained what information we could from
farmers living in the vicinity of it. The
crop appears generally in good condition,
and where it was otherwise, it was evident
ly owing to unskillful or negligent tillage.
The winter, which we supposed to have
been trying to wheat, seems not to have
injured it. In many places it has suffered
from standing water. Except in such cases,
and where it was sown very late, the crop
promises fair yield at least, and some far
mers say it is uncommonly promising.-
We notice that wherever the ground had
been well ridged in blowing and the dead
furrows carried out to the borders of the
field so as to give IN outlet to the water,
the growing wheat invariably looked well.
Farmers might take hints from a general
observation of this kind, that would be
worth more TO them than several agricul-
tural shows or conventions. The benefits
of early sowing would also be quite as ap-
parent as those of surface drainage. On
the whole, the growing wheat now offers
a Aattering prospect that the judicious and
energetic labors of the farmer will be we'll
rewarded, while the negligent and unskill-
full will have the usual complaints against
the season and Providence Columbus
Journal, 9Th. i Naf.--,