smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

EXECUTIVE TALENT.-It is said that Com


mOdore Vanderbilt likes TO tell the story how
he came to make his first start in lite At
sixteen he was promised a sail boat by his


mother large enough to carry passengers from


Staten Island to New York if he would thor


oughly plow, by certain time, an eisht-acre
lot This he accomplished by getting several
comrades to work for him. His mother kept


her promise, and young Vanderbilt began the


business of carrying passengers and freight be-
tween Staten Island and New York. In tbis
little story can be seen the secret of the sue
cess of the great millionaire, and of nearly all
those who accumulate great wealth, or are
successful in life. 1t is to get people to work
for you. Those who are born with, or early
in lite acquire this faculty, are pretty certain
to get rich. Has he executive talent? or does
he know how to make people work for bim ?
is often asked, and when answered Of man
in the affirmative, you may say OF him that te


will get ON in the world. Men cannot get


r:ch by working for others, and 1t should be
the main effort of every man to strike out for
himself. This faculty OF using the lahor Of
others is much stronger in some nations and
races than others. .-.-. 80.


is The knglish races have the faculty in rare
degree and it is tor this reason that one sees
so many rich among them and the great mass
poor, tor men who work for Others, unless en-
dowed with great economy, cannot accumu-
late money. Method, system. order and skill
in organizing labor are the foundation of the


wealth of England. The Celtic race that they


have drawn to themselves possess more gen.
ius, but are immensely interior to them in
method and executive talent. A close study
OF Commodore Vanderbilts career will show


manv passages like this, and when applied to
the development of the resources OF coun-


try aid to the organization of labor, thsv re-
suit IN ncalculabe benefit to mankind.-Nes


York Mil
Year: 1869

the traveller all the way to Yonkers. An hour
and a-half saved every day to the busy man is
not only money, but comfort and
rest: He can have an hour extra for garden
work, or reading, or home affairs; ten or
twelve per cent. more of real life given to him,
and, what most of our merchant princes need,
opportunity to see their children occasionally,
and become better acquainted with their
wives"


1t is generally known that a movement is
also on foot to construct an underground rail
road in the same city. The Tribune adds:


In a few years we shall have the Under
ground Railway running from the Battery,
striking the Harlem River, and reducing the
time to White Plains That will be vast en-
terprise, and we wish it well. We think a
higher rate of speed will be obtained on the
Underground railway, as the locomotive may
whirl along at forty miles an hour. But we dc
not imagine that it can be finished in less than
three years, and certainly at a cost not less
than seven or eight milliCn of dollars The
builders will have to hew their way in many
places, through solid rock. The Elevated Com
pany proposes to build and equip its road a.
far as Thirtieth st. for $8000 The stock
holders have already spent a good deal O
money in building the section on Greenwich
St, and making the numerous experiment
| that led to success "
Year: 1869

METHUsALEH did not live so long as he might
have done had he attended to good advice +; for
it is written that he was sleeping on the ground
when well stricken in years, an angel came to
him and told him that If he would rise up and
build himself house to lie in he would live
five hundred years more. Methusaleh made
answer that it was not worth while to take a
house for SO short term! And so he died be-
fore no was thousand years old.
Year: 1869

public good. I hold that he is the represen-
tative of no particular locality or section, nor
the instrument for the advancement of any
individual enterprise at the cost Of the public
good. This involves too much and We can
not afford to pay the price. The County
COMMISSIONS. is the responsible trustee of the
people, and, as such, is bound to the discharge
of his duties independently, conscentiously
and directly with view to the general well
fare. If then, as the result of these primary
meetings, some proposition is submitted,
which is manifestly not in harmony with the
true spirit Of county improvement, and which
does not offer the greatest good by offering
advantage to the greatest number Of people,
are the Commissioners bound to abide by the
reference? IFthink not. This reference is
intended to besayailed of merely as the means
to ascertain, if possible, the will of the peo-
pie in the premises. If the County Commits
siouers are satisfied that the reference has fail
ed in its legitimate purpose, would they not
by adopting its offspring, wander from the
high road of dusy and do grievous wrong to
the peoples trust? l think it would be
clearly so. In Che event, consistently with
the proprieties d Office and the principles of
right, they would be bound to rise superior to
all prejudiced considerations and invest the
fund in that enterprise which promises the
greatest amountef good to the greatest num-
Der of our citize6. The Baltimore and Po-
tomac Railroad, think, in this respect offers
inducements ensi FED to be gravely consider
ed. We have, I hm informed, from the Pre-
sidept of that corporation, assurances that, if
the fund is there Invested. work will forth
with bel Ia inside Our county line. Why not
then invest in the Baltimore and Potomac
Railroad, leaving to the Directors of that road
the right to indicate it's route to the Potomac,
and require from them such sufficient guar
antics as will protectour Common interest and
insure the proper expenditure of the money
within Charles cornty jurisdiction. That,
think, would guard us against all probable
contingencies of loss. .,sinvolving no peril to the
fund and materially encouraging work
which, all are agreed, would contribute i'm
mensely to county prosperity.
Year: 1869

He was fastened to buggy, but was not
pulling it, although he had the 'steam up"
as, being elevated on blocks, his feet did not
touch the floor. We were shown his move
ments, but confess were not remarkably pleas
ed with them He used his skeleton legs quite
Justify it is true but in such manner as to
warrant the opinion that he would do but lit
tie as substitute for the horse. He does not
raise his feet high enough to be of any use in
travelling over surface the least rough, and
his step is decidedly awkward, striking out
his legs after the manner of scratching hen.
As an ingenious piece of mechanism it will
do very we'll; as an invention of any real
utility it, of course, is failure.


WEGG
Year: 1869




The County Commissioners of Charles Coun-
ty are the trustees of the people for the prop
er and judicious expenditure of their Internal
Improvement Fund. A trustee is required
and expected to use the same care in the
management of his trust fund, as an individ-
ual of ordinary prudence uses in the manage
ment of his own property. Now what would
be thought of an individual who had ten
thousand dollars to expend in the building of
a house for himself, who, after contracting
with the carpenter to build it for the ten thou
sand dollars, paid over the whole of his ten
thousand dollars to the carpenter before even
the first stone of his foundation was laid, and
the only equivalent he would have in his
pocket for his ten thousand would be the car
penter's contract at sometime soon to put Lis
house up? This is hardly the way an ordi-
narily prudent man manages his own affairs
Indeed, man, who would so act, would be
deemed by his neighbor unfit to manage his
own or any others business.


Now we want railroad. Shall we ex-
change the money we have to invest in it for
contract of company to build one for us
initiate the prudent builder who pays his
carpenter after he is well assured that his
house will be built, by seeing the foundations
laid deep and broad and the work steadily
and surely progressing?


1t is not necessary, or, perhaps, desirable
to wait until the work is finished, before we
give it any aid; but what is desirable, is pos
tive evidence Of the capacity and intention
to do the whole work by ocular demonstra-
ton that part, at least, is already done,-
done in the county, as well as out of it. Un-
til we are assured by some such evidence of
the capacity and intention of the company to
complete the work, it will be wise to retain
the control of our money.


How much of the work should be done be-
fore the payment over Of any money, is a
matter to be we'll considered by the Commits
sioners and the people. We can only say, in
general terms, that enough should be done to
convince any prudent man that the residue
will be done: that would be sufficient.


There is another matter that should not be
lost sight Of. In making any agreement, con-
ditional or otherwise. in reference to this fund,
the best legal talent of our county should be
renuired IN Give the subject their most careful
consideration, and to take care that there are
no flaws by which thecounty may suffer.


We want to see this moneyexpendea so as
to produce the greatest good to the greatest
number of people in Charles county. We do
not want it wasted Or thrown Away. It's
usJIess 70 tell M Uf Intentions. We all know
what place is paved with these, and good ones
too. We want to see goods works, as we'll as
good intentions, before we move in this un-
dertaking.
Year: 1869

11upEOVC"ChG runus


Believing, Mr.. Editor, that your columns
are always open to a fair expression of opin-
ion on affairs of public interest, I venture to
offer few reflections, suggested by the action
of the County Commissioners, at their recent
meeting, touching the disposal of our Iuter-
nal Improvement Fund. Tt Is not often that
our community is SO agitated and widely di-
vided on question Of public economy; this,
however, is Of general concern and most init
mately identified with the material Develop
ment of the county.


The qualification of individual schemes and
the sure promotion of individual prosperity
are strong reasons to influence the course of
men and serve we'll to explain the motives of
their actions. The hope of self-aggrandze-
ment is doubtless an important element of
nature, and it not unfrequently happens that
men, by its means, are brought in serious
conflict with measures, which, if otherwise
properly pursued, would inure to the public
good. 1t may, I think, be safely assumed
that this spirit plays most conspicuous part
in those influences which have been invoked
to operate upon the Commissioners. All this,
however, affords but feeble reason to Justify
the hesitation of the County Commissioners.
and the final reference of the subject by them
to primary meetings Of the people. This is
an avoidance of responsibility scarcely to be
admired; not at all commensurate with the
confidence our people have expressed in the
competency of their intelligence and decision
of purpose for administering the public veal
It is most sadly inconsistent with those high
qualities of vigorous moral firmness which
are indispensable to the thorough performance
of duties. A reference to primary meetings
is, after all, nothing more than an invitation
to those most active in the pursuit of their in
dividual schemes to present themselves and
their particular views with some manner of
endorsement. It is mere nominal reference
to the people. Primary meetings but seldom,
if ever, give true expression to the will of
the people. They are most frequently ruled
by some energetic spirits, who employ them
solely as means, with some pretentious show
of authority, to advance their own personal
interests, and make them but the organ of
utterance for those ends, which might best
subseree some special purpose. This then
will complicate matters by adding the confu-
sion Of numbers and weave tangled web of
doubt, which the too careful prudence of the
Commissioners will be slow to penetrate.


Each County Commissioner is accredited to
the performance of most important duties
He is the servant of the public, and, in bis Of
6cial relations, should subordinate all other
considerations to the accomplishment Of the
Year: 1869

wOn Saturday night last two white
and one negro man broke Jail and put out
for parts unknown. They we're confined
in the sheria's Jail, (near his residence
and escaped by burning q hole through
the floor and removing the dirt. whence
they emerged into the open air and liberty.
Year: 1869

EWe will publish in our next issue
the address Of President johnson, at the
close of his official term, to the people of
the United States, in which he reviews
the history of his administration and the
causes which induced him to resist the
obnoxious policy Of the Radical majority
of Congress. .......
Year: 1869

Four readers to the two communications
which will be found in the present issue.
one Of which strongly and forcibly endor-
sesathe poeition Of the Times. in the mat
ter of the proper disposition Of our Inter-
nal Improvement Fund. This matter
should be carefully considered before the
assembling of the Convention on Tuesday
next. For this purpose the primary
meetings, on Saturday next, should be
largely attended and every effort made to
bring out full, fair and open expression
Of the views of the people of every section
of the county. If the people will only
turn out in their full strength. there will
be no danger Of any proposition being a.
dopted (as our correspondent seems to
fear), (Which is not in harmony with the
true spirit Of county improvement" and
which will uecessitate its rejection by the
Commissioners. But above all, let no
man be countenanced, who attempts to
influence the views Of the people by out
side considerations as to route or location


Let the general good overcome all narrow
shemes of individual policy and gain
With the route, our people, and Of course
the Convention, have nothing to do. This
matter rests with higher authority, and
should not be introduced as an element of
discord (Which it will most surely prove)
into the Convention. To reconcile con-
Aicting interest and to bring about CO.
operation and harmony, and in the inte-
rest of our people. is the primary object
Of the meeting. This object, we repeat,
can only be accomplished by total abju-
ration of all selfish considerations. and a
determination to be guided and governed
by the demands Of the general good. If
such spirit rules in the Convention, its
sction may be safely assumed as a correct
and reliable exposition Of public senti-
ment. Otherwise conducted, it's results
can in no>vise be beneficial.


Upon one other subject we would say
sword to the Convention. Remember
there il no necessity for speedy action
We can afford to wait and not jeopardize
oor interesta Whom -xs.reccive satisfao-
tory guarantees that our interests will be
protected and preserved, then we can act
With safety and not until then. By wait
ing We can, doubtless, secure the benefits
of railroad in our county at an earlier
day than if we rush now to the appropria-
ton Of the only sum wherewith we can
aid any enterprise or scheme Of internal
Improvement. It is needless here to re-
peat the views we have heretofore so full
lyexpressed. Their business and correct
ness find an answering echo in the bosoms
Of nine-tenths Of our people. In fact they
cover the whole ground, and are but the
loud and emphatic voice of the popular


-. f..
Year: 1869

The impression of those who have
recently visited Utah is, that the Nor
mons will soon break up, and that Brig
ham Young, who is worth some millions
of dollars, win go to some other cline,
where he can enjoy his wealth and the
society of his favorite wives
Year: 1869

THE INFLUENCE OF SLEEP-In the Rev. DR..
BUSHNELL volume on the ''Moral Influence Of Dark
Things" we find this truthful and suggestive pas
sage:


After some years, prejudices begin to be tired Of
being slept over. Jeaousies rankle as long as
they stay, but they get tired Of staying when we
do not stay with them, but go to sleep over them.
We cannot hate an enemy, save intermittently, but
have to begin every morning which we have less
and less appetite for, and finally come to like that
morning best that does not begin it at all We're
it not for this arrangement, our maignities might
burn us up. But the taking away of our con-
science is kind of compulsory Sabbath or truce
of God. No hatred burns in the unconscious
man; no revenge or jealousy lowers on his face in
that soft hour of oblivion. If he went to bed
heated by an ugly conversation, if he was severe
and bitter in his judgment, if all charities are
scorchedaway by his fierce denunciations, he will
rise in the morning cool and sweet as the morning,


and the gentle cheer of his voice will show that ne
is clear of this bad mood and likes to have 1t
known. A man must be next to devil who wakes
angry. After bis unconscious Sabbath he begins
another day, and every day is Monday. How
beautifully thus are we drawn by this kind econo-
my of sleep to the exercise of all good dispositions


The acrid and soured ingredients of evil, the
grudges, the wounds of feeling, the hypochondriao
suspicious, the black, torments Of lnisanthropy,
the morose fault-fndings, are 80 far tempered and
Year: 1869

BATHING IN THE DEAD SEA-From work
recently published in England, the annexed ex-
tract on the buoyancy of the waters and the appear
ance of the Dead Sea is taken:


Though in breadth not exceeding ten miles, the
Dead Sea seems boundless to the eye when looking
from north to south, and the murmur of the waves,
as they break upon the int-strewn shores, togeth.
er with the lines Of drift-wood and fragments Of
bitumen on the beach, give to its waters resem-
blance of the ocean. Curious to experience the
sensation of swimming in so strange sea, put
to test the various accounts of the extreme buoy
ancy felt in it, and was quickly convinced that
there was no exaggeration in what l had heard.
found the water almost tepid, and 30 strong that
the chief difficulty was to keep sufficiently sub
merged, the feet starting up into the air at every
vigorous stroke. When floating, half the body
rose above the surface, and, with pillow, one
might have slept upon the water. After time
the strangeness of the sensation in some measure
disappeared, and on approaching the shore l care.
lessy dropped..ny feet to walk out-when 10 as II
bladder had been attached to each heel they flew
upwards! The struggle to recover myself sent my
head down the bitter and briny stuff, from which
had hitherto guarded my head, rushed into my
mouth, eyes, ears, and nose, and for one horrible
moment the only doubt had was whether l was
to be drowned or poisoned. Coming to the sur
face, however, swan to land, making no further
attempt to walk in dead water, which I am in
clined to believe is almost impossible"
Year: 1869

ADILDn4A few days ago workman on
the Louisville and Cincinnati Railroad, was sent to
tighten the bolts on the bridge which spans Boil
lock Pen Greek, in Kenton County. Arriving at
the place be mounted the bridge, which, by the
way, is eight feet high, and soon performed the
work entrusted to him. Unluckily, however,
while he was screwing down the last bolt be some
how or other got his pantaloons also screwed down
fast and tight to the bridge, and to make matters
worse, just at this critical moment he let his wrench
fall. Here was dilemma TO be in. After looking
around in vain for some one to relieve him from
his unpleasant position, he slipped of bis boots,
and after wnggling, twisting and squirming, for
about ten minutes, managed to get out Of his pam
falcons. He then climbed down, recovered the
wrench, returned to the top Of the structure, and
got his pantaloons loose. Awoman some distance
of, seeing the man divestiDg himself Of his cIo-
thing, thonght be was crazy and about to commit
suicide, whereupon she ran of % alarm some men
who were at work few hundred yards from her
house; but before she got back, the .supposed In
naic had donped his garments, and was quietly
seated on the bridge.
Year: 1869

There is greater education into vulgarity than
home carelessness. A man or woman brought
up under such system is ruined for all the reality
of refinement in after years. The surliness toe
often allowed at home, where children are permit,
ted to be snappish to each other, disobliging and
discourteous, ruins the manners as much as il
hurts the mind. Hence, We come to company
manners, to sckly sweetness put on simply fol
the occasion, to q formality of speech and an op.
pressiveness of attentions, to an exaggerated po-


teness that is so terribly afraid of transgressng


into liberties as to be absolute bondage, and all to
the silly little afectations belonging to the condi
ton.


We never know any one whom we have not lived
WITH and even then not always. To be admitted
into the Temple does not include entrance into the
asylum; and we may remain for weeks in house
where master and mistress and maids are all reti
cent alike and may know nothing of the reality
underlying the surface. People of whom once
knew something, and who were notoriously i'll
matched, but marvelously polite, could keep Their
house full of company and yet allow none Of theil
guests to find out that the husband and wife were
not on speaking terms. All the communication
that was absolutely necessary was carried on by
writing Personally, these two, dispensing smiles
and civilities to all around held no direct inter
course. Yet they managed so well that no onesaW
through the screen.


With company manners and company dress
there is also company voice. Who does moi
know that false voice of society? Mincing OF
thrown boldly forward, flung into the chest Of
pitched up into the head, it is all the same-the
company voice, accent, choice of words, and regis
ter-all artificial alike. And there are company
gestures People sit and stand and walk, and use
their hands according to the different degrees Of
familiarity in which they stand towards their so
ciety. There is vast deal of company make be-
lieye among us and if we would only give hall
the time We now bestow on looking pretty and
behaving pretty in society, to be sweet temper
ed, and amiable and careful Of pleasing at home
it would be all the better for ourselves and oul
families, and gain in the way of true civilization