smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1859

The VINTAGE on lS59-Ws have been
shown to-day letter from one Of the most
respectable wine merchants IN Europe 10 q
correspondent engaged In the same trade,
from which We learn that tho vintage Of
Port was never 90 short as during the pre-
sent year, while Sherry Is only sbOn. one
quarter Of the usual vintage Il cannot yet
be told Of what quality the vino win be-
Year: 1859

n@- The Republican National Committee
Is expected to meet in New York some time
during next month, for the purpose Sf fixing
the time and place Of holding the Presidsn-
tisl Convention 1t is generally believed
that some Western city will be selected as
the plaoe Of the convention.
Year: 1859

New TYrE.-The PiquS Enquirer comes to
US this week dressed up in new and beautiful
rig. We take ths new dress TO be an evidence
Of the prosperity Of our neighbOr, and We reA
jOice therest, as he deserves to prosper
Year: 1859

TERRIBLE CALAMITY IN TEXAs.-The Dal las
(Texas) Herald of the Ith inst. says:


GA gentleman just from Fort Worth reports
a most painful calamity that occurred last Thurs
day evening, near night, on the west fork OF
the Trinity, about seven miles above Fort
Worth. A gentleman living very near West
Fork, on returning home during the heavy
rain that was falling, found his house was being
rapidly surrounded with the food that was
rushing down the low lands bordering on the
stream. He had wife and seven children
took two OF them on his shoulders, and carried
them over the water to a shed on the premises,
placed them upon it, and started back for The
other children and his wife, He had not gone
far when cry from the shed drew his attention
he looked back, and discovered it floating off
with bis two children on it. He rushed after
it, and, after following it NEARLY half a mile,
succeeded 10 placing his children upon place
of safety. Night was rapidly coming on, and
he returned TO save his wife and children, but,
alas he found not even a ves!ige OF his home
no sign OF wife or child and, to add to the
horrors of the scene, darkness was fast settling
down upon the rushing food, whose appalling
roar deadened the cries of his family, even II
they then lived. The unhappy father has
heard nothing from them yet, and every effort
made TO find their bodies has proved unasail-
ing.


"The rise OF The water is represented as
being unparalleled in the history of the country
for IFS suddenneSs and volume"
Year: 1859

WM Mr.. - and his wife were sitting, "a
few days since, quite close TO each other, in
their home the husband feeling somewhat
loverllke, although for years married man,
put his arm around his wife and saluted her
afeclionateiy. The wife pushed him away
saying "You should not do such things
when the door is open and people are passing.
They will think We are not married if they
see US kissing each other"
Year: 1859

REMARKABLE FREAK OF LIGHTNING.-On
Friday afternoon, when the thunder storm
prevailed, the lightning struck the carpenters
shop OF Edwin Taylor, on Water street, under
rather peculiar circumstances. A hole, nearly
foot in dlamter, was made through the fiat
roof OF the building, and the splinterS from the
boards were scattered IN the loom below. a
number OF men at work in the shop experienced
40 sensation when the lightning struck, and
there are no other traces OF the fluid than the
hole referred 10 in the roof. There are high
chimneys OF iron rising above the building,
which ought to be pretty good conductors
Why this thunder-bolt should have Stunned
them, and struck the roof, is more than We
can understand, and how The bolt found its way
to The earth after striking, is no less mystery.
Rochester Union, May 80.
Year: 1859

GENTS IN CHANs.-The public will remember
the poptical productions, over the signature OF
prairie Bard that appeared in the Express and
Democrat, of this city. and attracted considrra
BILE attention. 1t was not generally known,
however, that the author was member of the
chain gang of This city. He attributed his fall
TO ardent spirits. He said that whenever he
drank, he became possessed Of an uncomfortable
desire to steal, and laid hands on everything
that fell in his way. 1t made but little difference
what the article was, whether valuable or worth
less The last offence, we believe, that he com
mittcd in Marysvile, was to steal pumpkin out
of restaurant. He was caught in the act of
rolling il off in the street. His misfortune is
that h. ,cW drink and when he is drunk, that he
wH steal. He is man of very considerable
genius, and hope that he might reform and yet
make good use of his talents, has hitherto in
ducpd us to keep the matter of his status in socie
ty concealed from the public. We understand,
however, that he is now in the chains gang at
Sacramento. MdrysuWe Democrat
Year: 1859

DIR. PoMERoY.-The Providence Journal, in
alluding to the fall from grace of this divine
makes the following fitting remarks:-


We share most sincerely the profound regret
which is felt by the Christian public, and more
particularly by the numerous personal friends
of DIR. Pomeroy in this city and elsewhere, at
the sad developments which have been made
concerning him. That reputation for high
Christian character. earned in useful pastorate
of twenty-five years, and arduous labor in a
conspicuous official position, should be so sud-
denly and wretchedly sacrificed, is indeed la
mentable. We envy no one who can speak ex-
ultingly, or even harshly of the fallen man at
this hour. Such mistakes as his bring their own
sufficient punishment with them. Our words to
him would be words of sorrow and shame for
his weakness in the hour of temptation. But
these should be left to his friends


The public have to learn from him the peril
of tampering with vice under any guise or pre-
tence whatever. No man can afford to say that
he is strong enough to meet it and conquer it
though his daily vocation be that lofty one which
is supposed to strengthen the moral nature more
than any other. Fire will burn even the brawn-
Jest hand. No one can foresee what allurements
and seductions the hour of temptation may Of
fer. The first step taken makes the second easy
and escape from the third and all the rest be-
comes next to impossible.


We are glad to learn that the Missionary
Board with which DR.. Pomeroy is connected has
not suffered pecuniariiy from this sad affair."
The Secretary, in his official relations to the
Board, has subjected himself to no reproach
except that of holding his place when conscious
of his moral unworthiness to retain it.
Year: 1859

The County C.NvENTIoN.-Int the
call for the County Convention. we observe
that the County Committee have, without the
authority ofthe Democracy of the County, fix
ed upon ratio of representation, heretofore
unknown to the usages of the party The ratio
of representation has always been, one Dele.
gate for each Township at large-one Delegate
for every twenty votes. and An additional Dell
egste for every fraction between ten and TWEEN.
ty. To this ratio. the Democracy have been &C.
customed. and there ought to be some better
reason than the mere whim of Committeeman
fer departing from it. There is nothing like
preserving the usages of the party intact; they
serve at once as landmarks to show US where
We are, and as safeguards against surprise and
circumvention. If the gentleman who drafted
the call was not familiar with the usaees OF
the Democracy in Scott County, he could have
ascertained what they were on applying to
any one of the working members of the psrty.
We sugges. that the call be &C amended as to
return to the old and time. honored ratio.
Year: 1859

LADIES SKATING-The ladies of Rock
Island have been recently indulging in that
very sensible and pleasant sport Of skimming
over the CLASSY ice on steel shod shoes or, in
other words, they have been a skating Whole
focks Of them, fully be crinolned and warmly
sttired. may be seen taking Their fun
from cay to day during these pleasant and de.
lightful winter days. Ye fair damses Of Dav
nport. why don't you take the hint and do
likewise? Don't you know that the sport ie
glorious, and, above all it is the best way in
The world to captivate the hearts OF those
Young men who are just aching to be led into
captivity. Don your warmest apparel-etrap
on your skates and away to the "slough"-
properly gallanted, Of course, and dart over the
ice awhile 1t will put the rouge genuine upon
your lovely cheeks; cause your eyes to sparkle
like little stars and who knows but what it
will be the direct means Of bringing about that
desired event. Only try it.
Year: 1859

QuEsTIoN.-We were asked yester-
day by person in need whether that institu-
ton favorably known in former days Is the
Davenport Relief Association, is still q live
concern or not. Not knowing, we were unable
to say yea or nay. If any one knows let them
communicate. We presume there is as much
need of charitable institutions now as ever
The poor are still with us-they must be cared
Year: 1859

HOLIDAY PREsENTs.-Now is the
time for such things, and We notice numbers Of
our business men doing their "best endeavors'
to be able to suit the people and the times in
this respect. Starr, Ellis, and Adams offer
tempting feast of reason" in the literary line
And what is better for q holiday present than
. good books Here persons can display their
sentiment and taste in the kind or style Of
their offering, Even for children present Of
an actractive little volume is worth more than
ten times its value in frivolous toys.
Year: 1859

DIARIES FOR lS6O.-These commod-
ities-useful to every oand very handy
TO have-are found in great variety at Els
Book Store Our thanks are due to Stewart
he is good fellow. A pencil to match if you
pleaae
Year: 1859

How Is IHIs.-Ne are informed that
when poor people purchase coal at the coal
yard to the amount of one dollar, they get only
seven bushels, but for two dollars one can get
sixteen bushels. We can't hardly understand
this kind of reckoning. 1t strikes US that it is
discriminating against the poor. when if any
discrimination at all is made, it should surely
be in their favor. There are many poor per-
persons who cannot we'll get more then dol
lars worth at q time, and for this they are
obliged TO pay nearly two cents per bushel
more than those who are able to buy in larger
Quantities. Ifthis line Of reasoning were car
ried out-if person having but one dollar to
invest in coal gets seven bushels another who
has two dollars gets sixteen bushels, how much
coal would q person get who invests the sum
of eight dollars how much for sixteen dollars?
Will friend Gable give us the figures? 1t is
not only proper but binding upon all to lean in
favor of the poor, whether the "scales" are
right or not.


Our information may be wrong; we hope
it is
Year: 1859

A CoLoRED REPUBLICAH OnATOR ON


TIE sruxr.-Last Wednesday evsaiag Ar. h


FoRD DOUGLASS of whom We have belors spo>


ken, delivered his oration on "our recent histo.


ry; or a vindcation Of the memory Of Old


John Brown" The speaker il : light mulat-


to Of pleasing appearance, ,andfs evidsatly well


educated. He is genius in his way. and. a.


an auxiliary aid to the Republican party. will


undoubtedly yet shine in the ranks Of their
great men. Douglass did not confine himself to
'our recent history" but wandered over the
field of American politics. from the adoption Of
the Constitution down to the present time. and
even attempted to give US the history Of our
country politics for the next hundred years.
He was particularly severe upon the Constitu-
ton and ali its expounders and supporters.-
He gloried n not being citizen Of the United
States living under the provisions Of that Con-
stituton. We haze not the space to follow
this fellow through all his vile abuse of the
church, the government. and the supporters Of
the Constitution and government. His ou ra.
geous attack upon the memory Of Webster
would. had the speaker been a white man have
subjected him to severe booting out Of the
hall. with a fair show Of having his peck broke.
But Douglass is negro. and such being the
case, We are willing to overlook many Of his
dirty illusions. and cast the blame npon those
who have hired him and sent him forth to do
their wo K. We refer to the Republican organ
ization of Illinois. who pay the expenses Of
Douglass, while they allow him to charge
small admittance at the door, to keep him in
pocket money. The substance Of his lecture
we have published before. He has learned it
we'll and delivers it ditto
Year: 1859

Coal SCALES CoRREspoNDENCE.-
-ue'srs. Editors In answer to what VIM.
Price asserts in his communication, l wish to
say: That on Monday morning was not on
the scales when the horse and draw we're
weighed. but when the coal was being weigh
ed l was on the sca!ee. Mr. Slaymaker at
that time acted as weigher Before left the
yard it struck me that had inadvertently
cheated myself by standing on the dray when
the coal was weighed, when had not done 80
at the weighing of the horse and draw. and
said so to Mr.. Saymaker. Hs said that was
on the dray when it, together with the horse.
was weighed. which is not the fact. To decide
the matter. proposed to him to give me leave
to throw off the coal and have the horse and
dray weighed over again. That he refused to
do, but determined not to take the coal at
the weight he insisted on, and therefore
dumped it in an empty coal car standing in
the yard. and Slaymsker refunded me the
money. EARLY the next morning went to the
yard. and taking the coal out of the car in
which had dumped it the night before, put
it on my drsy, and hauled it to the scales.
though before doing that l had my horse and
dray weighed. On weighing the coal told
Mr.. Price, who was then acting as weigher,
that did not believe there was the auan.ity
Of coal he declared. and he then gave me leave
to throw on an extra lump. weighing about
half bushel. Being dissatisfied / went dir
ectly down to Kennedy's scales, and there found
the load was one bu.hel and half short.
was not on the scales At all when Price weigh,
ed the ccal his distinct recollection to the con.
trary notwithstanding.


then went to Burrows' scales, and they
agreed with Kennedy's. went directly back
to Slaymaker, showed him the three weigh.
bills, and asked him to make it right, which he
refused to do. and then determined to expose
his manner of doing business. to the citizens Of
Davenport. l advise al who purchase coal at
that yard. to look out for light weights


BARNEY LEONARD.
Year: 1859

ARKANSAS LAND.-Large sales of Ar kansas lands have been made. We hear of single transaction where 6, ,000 acres were sold to company of emigrants who will take possession this fall The emigration to this State during September, October and this month have exceeded, five fold, any previous year. The class of emigrants are of the best character. There is no southern State which is improving so stead fly in wealth and population as this-but & few years will elapse before she will rank amongst the first, if not the very first, of the agricultural States of the south We have heard complaints that travellers did not receive proper accommodations upon the Little Rock Railroad We should like to see more energy and industry employed, not only in the management but in the con- struction of this road. Memphis has over S600,0 in this road her citizens have much in addition, and there seems to have been little accomplished for such an outlay of money We should be glad to see full and detailed report of this road submitted to the public. If these loans and appropri- ations have been iudiciously expended, let us come up to the aid of the road by private subscription and let the work be pushed on with renewed energy and determination.

 We hope Major Baugh will insist at the next meeting of the directory that this ex- hibit should be made. This Is the most important of all the enterprises now claim ing our attention, and an end that will re- suit in adding more wealth than any other to this great and growing city of ours We will hereafter recur to this road and endeavor to urge the attention of our peo- pie to Its importance and the necessity for prompt and energetic management on the part of those controlling its construction and management 1gdldnche
Year: 1859

From the message of Gov. Harris, of Tennessee, 1t appears that the receipts for the two years ending Oct. l, 1859. were Sl, oS4, 590 IA, and the disbursements were S1,704, 287 61. The total liabilities of the State are S16, ,643, 606 66. Part of this is on account of turnpikes, railroads, bonds, etc. The Governor recommends. that the legislature shall have power to amend or repeal the charter of bank at will; that no bank be allowed to issue more than two dollars of paper for one of specie. that stockholders be made individually lia- ble, and that no bank be allowed to issue bills under S20.

 The Governor of Georgia in his message recommends that stringent measures be adopted with regard to the banks. He ad- vises that the law be so changed as to al- low bill-holders to recover the amount of the bill with 25 per cent. from the day a bank refuses to redeem note in specie.- We extract a part of the message:

 "l also recommend, that the penal code of this State be so changed as to declare that future suspension of specie payment, by any bank in this State, shall be adiuds- ed as conclusive evidence of fraud on the part of the president and directors of such bank; and that the same be declared to bo high misdemeanor; and punished by con- tinement and hard labor in the penitentiary of this State, for term not less than five, nor more than ten years; and that the grand jurors of each county in this State in which bank is located, shall, at the opening of each term of the court, in addition to the oath now prescribed by law, further swear that they will diligently inquire, and true preSentment make of all cases of bank sus- pension which have occurred in the county since the last term of the court; and in case any grand jury shall present any bank as having suspended specie payment, that it shall be the duty of the solicitor general forthwith to make out bills of indictment against the president and directors of such bank. In my message to the last legisla- ture, l expressed the opinion, that in view of all the impeIfections and abuses of our present banking system, we should do all in our power to bring about it's complete reformation; and f this be not possible, that we should abandon it entirely. I consider that the people of Georgia have indorsed this opinion; and 1 respectfully urge upon their representatives the enactment of such laws as will carry 1t into practical effect The liability of the banks and bank officers, should be made so stringent as to deter them in future from trihing with the rights of the people, for the purpose of advancing their own interest and their own specula- tions'
Year: 1859

r. S.. Be very careful and get the edi- tion that contains the indictment for have never been able to find out what those two rascals stols

 The above letter is to be preserved in the New York Historical Society Archives, and dinner awaits the pleasure of the author.
Year: 1859

WHAT SPIRITUALIsTs BELIEvE.-A spiritualist
in communication to San Francisco paper,
says:


There is one point in reference TO spiritual
lists, about which they are most generally mis-
understood, and hence calumniated by those
whose business it is to attend to such matters.
Through your kindness, sir, l would state that
persons called spiritualists belong to every
grade and condition of society, in the church
and out of the church, from the Hottentot to
the most enlightened men of this century, from
the bluest orthodoxy to the most unlimited pro-
gressionist. They hold to no opinion or belief
In common. except the belief that the intelli
gent spirit lives on, after leaving the present
body and can still, under some circumstances
communicate with those yet in the body. Di
vergng from this, they are of every belief
having no common bond of union save that OF
human nature, belonging to the same great
family of God. Hence they are not, like the
members of a particular organization, with q
formula of faith, responsible for the faith or
acts of each other, no more than the Bodhist is
answerable for the belief or acts of the Chris
tian, or vice versa. This faith, that the spirit
after leaving the body can communicate with
those still in the body, is peculiar to no age OIL
people. 1t is the foundation of all religions, il
every age of the world. Hence, all religionist
are spritualists
Year: 1859

DEATH OF A MIsER.-The Newark Mercury
chronicles the death of William Patterson, a
Scotchman eighty years DID, who has been
known in that vicinity for the last quarter of q
century as the Swamp Miser." He lived and
died talking of interest and gain, and during
his last illness asked the doctor who had been
called in spite of his objections, what he was
going to charge for his visit, saying he would
rather spend the money for something else.
Neither would he have clergyman, saying he
believed none of their doctrine. His belief was
peculiar. After certain number of years he
expects to return 10 this world young man,
and he amassed his property with view to
that event, expecting to receive it again
with interest when he returns. Two nephews,
it is said will inherit his large property. The
furniture of bis room consisted of three chairs
and three chests. One of the chairs aud one of
the chests made his bedstead, and he lay upon
them without covering, seldom undressing him
self, and always seen standing, sitting or lay
ing, with his hat on his head.
Year: 1859

How sweet to remember the pleasures gone by,


The time of our boyhood and glee; ..ate
What bosom but swells with half-choking sigh


when. in fancy, our old haunts we sect
But sweetest and dearest of all to the heart,


When might throws her shadows before, "
Are those days that beheld us, with juvenile art
Sliding down on the Old Cellar Door.
How brightly 1t shone in the gay summer sun,
How sweetly ii smiled at our side;
And the nails seemed to laugh and encourage the fun
As over their smooth heads we'd glide.
They, toe, oft deceived us and stayed our career;
OFT our trousers maliciously lore;
Turned our joy to distress and our smile to a tear
Those nails in the Old Cellar Door.
What is life but door, leading on to the grave,
Oer which unthinkingly glider
The nails are its troubles and trials-the pave
The place where those trials subside.
The Sexton's the Dutchman who drove us away,
And often indignantly swore;
And menaced the ''felers' that gathered to play
And slide on his Old Cellar Door
Year: 1859

BATHING IN MOLTEN LEAD.--A scientific COR
respondent sends us the following:


We have often astonished the uninitiated by
passing the fingers and portion of the hand
through melted lead. This may be done with
impunity if the hand is little moist-not wet.
In many persons the natural moisture of the
hands is sufficient. The metal is repelled by
the slight moisture, and the hand can be passed
through it without danger or Inconvenience.
A peculiar liquid velvety sensation isfelt, which
is not at all unpleasant. A writer in the C5ur-
Ter des EStats Unis says that the same thing can
be done, and even that the hands can be bath
one thousand six hundred degrees without any
ill results.
Year: 1859

A PHrLosoPHIcAL FIVE YEAR OLD.-Among
my little friends there is fve-year old boy
who is very philosophically inclined. He is
rarely satisfied with the fact that Thing is, but
he wants to know all the why's and wherefores
of its existence. The other day Joe was watch
ing with eager interest the dismemberment of
the body corporate of defunct pig. He in
terrupted the operator with many questions as
to the precise object and bearing of the differ
ent members, as he saw them separated one
from another. Finally, the corpse was in the
condition of many Of our live politicans-it
had lost its back bone. Little Joe regarded
this detected member with close attention for q
few minutes and then exclaimed with an air OF
triumph:


II know what that's for r''


"What ~ asked the dissector of the hog


"Why" said the boy, "that is to hitch the tail
to |"