smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

Poverty IS a gloomy presence in any home,
even American poyerty,-and boy who
saw the household goods distrained by the
sheriff, end his father in fight from the
debtors prison, no doubt found the morn
ing of life dark enough; and even when her
time came fortune presented herself to
young Greeley masked and looking at the
best ike very hard favored virtue. When
his father was about toquit New England,
the printer apprentice walked over from
the town where he was learning his trade to
that where he was TO take leave of his fami-
ly In words which must go to the hearts
Of all those who have known what home
sickness is, and how very closely and tender
ly common endurance and hardship knit
parents and children together, he tells that
some Of his kindred urged him to 90 with
the rest, and not return to his place in the
printing-ofice. Il was sorely tempted to
comply he says, but it would have been
bad faith to do so. A word from my
mother, at the critical moment, might have
overcome my resolution; but she did not
speak it. After the parting was
over, and l well on my way, Twas strongly
tempted to return; and my walk back to
Poul;ney twelve miles, was one of the
slowest and saddest of my life


Nothing could have been very difficult af
ter this, aud there seems to have been no
other moment of the author life that asked
so great fortitude and resolution. 1t was
success; but life is an artful romancer, and
postpones its denOuements. There was a
vast deal to 90 through before the destined
greatness ofthe Tribune" could be accom-
plished. How the prentice became jour
neyman printer in Western New York and
in New York City,-then an editorial neces-
sity Of the politicians, employed and paid by
them, then the first independent and cour-
ageous journalist we have ever had, is pret-
ty well known to everybody; but everybody
may read 1t here with fresh pleasure, in that
light and circumstance which a man can best
give his own life. At every point the ca
reer is an interesting one, and in great part
it includes national history.


Thanks to the peculiar constitution of his
mind, which, while it lacks the qualities OF
originality or genius, is yet boldly tentative,
he has been identified or connected with
every social and political movement which
has promised to benefit or elevate mankind;
and be has something to tell US of them ALL
We think certain readers, who have learned
rather from his enemies than from himself
to regard him as a reckless innovator, will
be surprised to find him SO conservative as
be is Of all that really holds human society
together for good, marriage, the family,
religion, subordination. Monthly
for February.
Year: 1869

When your husband returns at night let
him find the fire out, his tea and toast cold,
and you reading a novel


If he tells you his expenses are more than
his income, and proposes to move into a
smaller house, sit down and cry about it.
Tell him you always lived in larger house
before you were married


If at the end of few months he fails in
business dom make the best of his misfor-
tunes, or help him bear his troubles by Civ
ing your sympathy, but cry as though your
heart would break.


Hint occasionally before him how much
higher position you held in society before
than since your marriage.


If he has business to call him out iu the
evening, be sure to fret when he returns.
about his being out at night, and about his
disliking to be at home with his family.


Whine every time he comes into the
house about being tied at home Then ifhe
proposes to take you and the children out tc
ride, tell him you are half tired to death
and don't want TO ride.


Follow out these hints faithfully, and ir
return you will have as impatient and as
disconteuted husband as can be found,
and one who viii come home only at eating
and sleeping hours, and you may be thank
fuI to see him then.
Year: 1869

At the age of seventy years a name hon
ored and revered on both continents writes
Il am now writing this with my eyes closed.
by the aid Of machine and even this at
some peril of blindness. My general health
is perfect, and | am able TO do as much
work as ever, without fatigue. My only
difficulty is with my eyes, and this is a seri
Gus and alarming one To have good
health and to be capable both as to mind
and to body of doing full work, and yet not
be allowed to do any, and this to have been
the case, more or less, for ten years past,
and to last for all this life to come, as it GER
tainly will, is terrible calamity; a clear loss
Of twenty years labor to the world. This
condition was induced By the person getting
up TO study and write at Tour o clock winter
and summer for a series of years. A benef
cent Providence has arranged that the
glare Of light shall come on very gradually
in the morning and that as gradually shall
it depart into darkness in the evening. The
painfulness of coming instantly into bright
light is familiar to ALL And yet after the
eyes have closed in the perfect darkness Of
sleep for seven or eight hours, to be instant
ly exposed to bright gas or other artificial
light, for early study is practieed by many;
and without knowing it very many students
thus prepare themselves for an early impair
ment Of sight, to say no hing of the bodily
suffering, of mental chatting and disquie'ude
and loss of time and money. There is no
gain, in the long run by using the eyes to
read or write after sundown or before
sunrise and breakfast; it may de done with
a measure of impunity in a few cases; but in
nine cases out often disaster will follow; in
no case is night study an economy of time,
nor is it a necessity as habitual thing.
Night is the time for rest, and both body
and brain, especially as to students, require
all the sleep the system viii take; they ought
never be walked up, nature viii infalibly dc
that when she has had her fill, and to short
en- sleep, is to shorten life; half the time ol
daylight is as long as any man ought tC
spend in hard study-HaEs Journal o
Health
Year: 1869

German tongues. fair knowledge Of math-
ematies pure and applied, an outline of the
ply steal sciences, and skill as a craftsman.
The writer of this article, still on the sunny
side Of forty, asserts that the average Of all
the time be has been able to devote to study
during his life has been considerably less
than two hours per day. Let any mechanic
at the age Of twenty consider how much ad-
vantage the above requirements would be to
him at the age of thirty, should he obtain
them, aud then 90 to work and get them.
The requisite books can be obtained for less
than many young man spends for cigars
during six months Twelve years since we
we're in a machine shop in the center Of New
York State, where We were having a model
constructed. The young man to whom the
foreman and proprietor had assigned the
work attracted our attention from some re-
marks which seemed to indicate a higher
cultivation than is usually met with in young
men occupying similar positions There
upon we set ourselves 10 draw him out.
We found him familiar with the higher
mathematics, an expert craftsman, and
thoroughly posted in natural philosophy and
the chemistry Of the metals. He had COM
menced French and German. All these
accomplishments we're the reward of even.
ing study, pursued steadily since the date
Of his apprenticeship, commenced at the
age of sixteen. This young man was at that
time just past twenty one, in apparently
perfect mental, moral, aud physical health.
He has since risen by successive steps to
foreman, and is now partner iu the same
establishment, man of wealth aud in
fnence


The essential character Of recreation is
that it transfers the strain from one part of
the vital machinery which needs rest to
another that does not, thus equalizing wear.
But the human system is not ike a lathe or
a steam engine, incapable of repairing itself
As soon as rest Is given to any part of it, if
healthy, 1t commences to repair itself. But
a condition Of perfect rest is that the mind
shall be wholly withdrawn from the con
sideration of fatigue, that toll should be
forgotten in the absorbing character of the
recreative occupation, What we ask, is
better calculated to accomplish this result
than a proper course fstudy2


We might name many other bright ex
amples which prove conclusiveIy that the
tendency Of physical labor is to clear the
mind and fit it for study, but we forbear.
Let no young man under ordinary circum-
stances excuse himself for ignorance of the
rudiments of knowledge It is as true of
this as of other things that where there is
a will there is always a way" In recent
article on selEeducation, we endeayored to
point out in brief manner a way 10 which
young men might, if disposed, do something
toward educating themselves, and we may
in the future return to the subject to show
that association viii prove in this, as in all
other relations of life, of great value if or
ganized upon a proper basis We may also
give, in due time, plan for an organization
adapted to the wants Of young mechanics in
rural towns and large manufacturing es-
Establishments, - Scientific american.
Year: 1869




The printers dolars-where are they :?
A dollar here, and dollar there, scattered
all over the country, miles and miles apart
how shall they be gathered together {?
The paper maker, the grocer, the miller, the
tailor, the shoemaker, and all assistance to
him in carrying on his business, have their
demands, hardly ever so small as single
dollar But the mites from here and there
must be diligently gathered and patiently
boarded, or the wherewith to discharge the
liabilities viii never become sufficiently
bulky We imagine the printer viii have to
get up and address to bis widely scattered
dollars something ike the following -


Dollars, halves, quarters, dimes, and all
manner of fractions into which ye are divi-
ded, collect yourselves and come home Ye
are wanted Combination of all sorts of
men that help the printer to become pro-
prietor, gather such force, and demand, with
such good reasons, your appearance at his
counter that nothing short of sight of you
will appease them. Collect yourselves, for
valuable as you are in the aggregate single
you will never pay the cost of gathering.
Come in here in single file, that the printer
may form you into battalion, aud send you
forth again to battle for him, aud vindicate
feeble credit


Reader, are you sure you havn't couple
Of the printers dollars sticking about your
clothes?
Year: 1869

A SCOTCH woman, who had been listen
ing to a learned but prosy sermon, was in
dulRing in very audible expressions Of admi-
ration as she tefired fiom the parish church.
A disappointed bearer asked her qnietly if
>he understood the sermon Understood
it, she exclaimed; chow could you think
poor woman like me should understand so
grand discourse 2
Year: 1869

EVERY young man should remember that
the world viii always honor industry. The
vulgar and useless idler, whose energies Of
body and mind are rusting for want OF oc-
cupatiou, may look on him with scorn-it is
praise; his contempt is honor.
Year: 1869

LORD BACON beautifully said; IF a
man be gracious to strangers, it shows that
he is citizen of the world, and that his
heart is no island cut off from other lands,
but continent that joins them
Year: 1869

UNsELFIsHNEss and largeness of heart
are possession in themselves. Even in
hard, utiltarian age, when the goal of life
is fortune before one is thirty, and char
acter is reckened good thing if it can be
thrown in, bat money must be made wheth-
er or no, it may not be absurd to plead <Or
unselfshness. Better Don Qui~soe eharg-
log at shesp and cutting sacks OF wine, in
the name of chiva1y, than the name of
grerdiness which knows nothing better in
living than to raise on the surface Of the
great world miserable little ant-hill of per-
sonal possession.
Year: 1869

THERE are some people always looking
out for sights. They cannot pay visit,
they cannot receive friend, they cannot
carry on the daily intercourse of the family,
without suspecting that some offence is
designed. They are as touchy as hair-trig
gers. If they meet an acquaintance in
the street who happens to be pre- occupied
with business, they attribute his abstraction
to some motive personal to themselves, and
take umbrage accordingly. They lay on
others the fault of their own irritability. A
fit of indigestion makes them see imperti-
nenee in everybody they come in contact
with. Innocent persons, who never dream
ed of giving offence, are astonished to find
some unfortunate word or some momentary
tacturnity mistaken for an insult.
Year: 1869

Our charming Autumn fingered in the lap of
Winter longer than usual and for the past
two months the weather has been in the main
unseasonaby beautiful. But the dawn of New
Years morning brought us Winter in earnest
New-Yorkcrs who have painful recollection
of the first days of 1868 and of 1867 hoped for
a pleasanter beginning for 1869. But the ele-
ments were in conspiracy against the New
Years callers. Binding sleet and snow filled
the air all day yesterday sharp gusts of wind
swept around the corner, turned umbrellas
wrong side out, and nearly exiled pedestrians
from the streets; the snow was heaped up on
the railroad tracks, and where the snow banks
did not obstruct them, the sheets of ice
made them almost impossible. But the
good old customs were kept up in
defiance of Winter and rough weather.
Business was abandoned for social pleasures
congratulations aud good wishes were every
where exchanged; men met each other with a
warmer grasp of the hand; the very air, albeit
nipping and frosty seemed to carry the infec-
tisn of the general kindiness that eonsecrated
the day to friendship and good deeds.
Year: 1869

The New Years speech of the Emperor of
France is this year less eQuiyocal than is COM
mon in the Imperial utterances, in its expecta-
tion of the pacific character of the coming year


The Emperor praises the concilatory spirit ami
mating the European Powers, and expresses
confident hope that the year upon which we
have just entered will be as satisfactory as the
one which has just closed, and consolidate the
peace SO necessary to the progress of civilized ma
tions. The Emperor's speech only confirms the
view which at present prevails among the lead
ing statesmen Of Europe. that under the present
circumstances it is desirable to smooth inter-


national difficulties, and, at least, to put off
their solution for the present. The political
horizon of Europe is, however, by no means
free from clouds. Greece endeavOrs to perfect
and complete the armament of the national
Year: 1869

The President of tho United States has never
given warning of great war by casual re-
mark to a Foreign Minister on New Years
Day, ike Louis Napoleon and New Years re-
ceptions at the White House have been re-
markable less for features of sensational in
terest than for very dreary commonplace
But there was, nevertheless, n genuine sensa-
ton in the Blue Room yesterday. The record
which tells that Satan came also among them
does not recite a fact more startling than
must have been the appearance of Benja-
min f. Butler of the Board of Managers of
the Impeachment Glowing his way through
the crowd, to grasp the hand of Andrew john
son. while he expressed his delight at seeing
that great criminal" so well and his hopes for
continuance of prosperity to him through the re-
mainder of the Presidential term. Most cere
mOnious etiquette is Picliwickian, but Mr.. john
son must have had special realization of the
fact yesterday about the time he was shaking
hands, with such JUNCTION as the telegraph de
scribes, with Gen. Butler
Year: 1869

The Tammany conspirators entered yester-
day upon their reward. just as the Committee
of Congress is completing its collection OF
evidence to demonstrate that New-YOrk was
given to the Democracy by elaborate and far
reaching fraud, the fraudulently elected officers
take the oaths of Office, and receive into their
hands the vast powers and revenues of Com
monwealth Of four million souls. But of course
it was all decorously done. If we are to have
n creature of fraud aud tool Of the Ring for
Governor of the Empire State we could ask
for no one who would more carefully or cred
itably preserve the outward dccencies of the
place than the late Mayor of this city. For so
much at least let us be thankful.


Coy. Fenton gracefully yielded mp the
great Office he has so hOnorably filed, and his
successor was not less happy in the terms of
his acceptance. Not the slightest reference to
party issues or State policy was made by
either
Year: 1869

who have always been loyal, including the
majority of the freedmen; 2. Those who, like
Gen. Longstreet, admit that Secession is not
hereafter to be thought of, and that Obedience
TO the laws is the best policy; and, 3. The
rantcrs and rOarers who, in spite of predestinate
defeat, would go to war again tomorrow.
But these creatures were bad citizens before
the insunecton, just as they are bad citizens
now. They are an uncomfortable element OF
society; but if the North does not once more
fall into the error of according to them more
political importance than properly belongs to
them, does not once more permit legislation to
be directed by mere CALCULATIONS, does not
for the sake of peace, lapse into
lamentabe cowardice, but, on the
contrary, does maintain proper degree OF
self-respccting persistence, the Union has now
at the South, in honestly reconstructed Rebels
like Gen. Lougstreet, and in the new voters,
allies and supporters such as it never had
before, and upon whom it can confidently rely.
The fires of faction must soon go out for want
of fuel Every day will diminish the number Of
savage memories and of rampant recollections.
The question Of Secession has had sanguinary
adjudication, and every hour will lessen this
brood of brawling dissenters from the YER
dict Of war. They will be killed in duels.
They will be slaughtered in bar-rooms. They
will be locked up in penitentiares. They
will talk till nobody hears, and pro-
phesy until nobody heeds. them. They
will fade gradually away as class,
simply because as class the regeDer-
ated society of the South has no use for them,
and will care no more for their opinion of the
war than for their opinion of Mary Queen Of
Scots. And with them, may We not hope, Will
depart forever those foolish jealousles and
Iatreds, those causeless but mischievous ami
mosities, which have already borne such bitter
fruit If we at the North have had our share
of these, as some assert, may God send us
speedy repentance and reformation! If there
does exist in the States lately in rebellion, as
we have some reason to believe, good solid
subsiratum of common sense, may 1t be the
crOwning glory of the incoming Administration
to make that most valuable quality predOmi-
nant in the public affairs of the South!
Year: 1869

troops, and the King of Italy, in his New Years
speech, is very explicit in pointing to the case
in which he may have to rely upon tho loyalty
and patriotism of the army for the protection
of the national honor Ireland begins the new
year with a significant Fenian demonstration
at Cork, which city has now IA Fenian Mayor
All these dangers to the peace of Europe are
mentioned in the dispatches of to-day's issue,
and they are far from being the only oBes
For once we hope that the expectations of the
French Emperor may be realized, though we
can hardly consider them as rosc-colorcd as
they are represented to be in his speech.
Year: 1869

may be the truest kindness in the end to let
the sanguine politicians in poor circumst ances,
who have been hoping to Johnsonizo Grant,
know at the outset precisely what Gen. Grant
himself thinks of them. The opinion may be
found set forth in our Washington dispatches,
and we venture to suggest that an ambitious
Democratic organ Of this city will find it quite
Interesting readng
Year: 1869

Tn consideration of the large amount Of un-
cultivated and tillable land in Virginia, The
Petersburg cypress argues that the greatest
need of the State is an influx of foreign immi-
grafton. The advantages of soil and climate,
the resources of the mines, and the various
means of transit and transportation avail little
without n people capable of developing and
of creating wealth. The husbandman, the
mechanic, the artisan, and day laborer are
required, and they must come from abroad.


The Charleston Daily NerS is in favor of the
small farm system. 1t acknowledges that the
large plantations can be no longer profitable.
Instead of one princely possession, there should
be a hundred homesteads; and it is fore
seen that 10y the increase of population and
the establishment of varied industry the South
is likely To become richer and more thrifty
than before. In establishing this system The
NccS says that if the negro will not work, his
place must be filed by white men; but it is
added if the negro works he must do SO for
moderate wages-in short there must be cheap
labor for upon it prosperity depends. To
Northern people these ideas are, first instruc-
tive, for We learn there is real progress among
the Southern leaders; and secondly, they are
amusing for the reason that they fix upon the
methods by which progress and happiness are
to be secured, not by any efforts they them
selves propose TO make but through the labors
of others. 1t may be that happiness and pros
perty come in this way; if So it will be good
news to most of the Northern people.
Year: 1869

Our Berlin correspondent gives us an extract
from q document which is of considerable inter
est III the history Of our War of Independence
and, in particular sheds light upon the we'll
known Bancroft Reed controversy.
Year: 1869

stroy the whole Of the Portsmouth dock yard ana all


the vast stores belonging to 1t, but, done secretly
bold men VINO don't care for their lives, 1900 men
might be landed on the adjscens Southsea common
very clearly how within radius Of 5000 yards the
dock yard could be set e to by ships even anchored
g.
OF the tide the largest iron-clad men-of.wsr
can approach, and even mannuvre without
the dockyard whicn would be completely At their
mercy. The few forts and works that exist in and
Those that armed are armed With morsrs which


can 90 no harm whatever TO such ships Us are now
built and nd cased with iron. .Let the enemy" said
place gunboat here and he would merely have TO
steer by it. The largest neet in Europe could get
10 three hours and be OF again before the fact OF
his presence was well realized In London" 'The
Ony HeIshCe s Sy sc4 M ne or Ports


yadng force Once get our neet OF iron-cads out Of
the way and Portsmouth would be at the mercy OF
the enemy. believe the French would destroy II
10 couple OF days and the Yankees In Q couple OF
hoursn These are not my words but those or an
service tried to argue with my friend that the place
would not be SO Vulnerable as ne thought but one by


o


aud again at the entr9pce to the har9or there are
right and left small ports, or works. which might be
panion proved that so for from being any dsfencs
against iron cads these forts would serve as beacons
to facilitate an enemys entrance into portsmouth,.
The defences OF the place are, as my friend demon
strated, quarter OF century behind the times.
the course OF northwest by west one quarter north
leads into Spithead at all times Of the tde and In
side Spitnead the d0ckyard Ii at the mercy OF ships
armed with rned ordnance. A aeet OF say ten IRON
olads, OF which three were monitors would despatch
very easily half their number inside Spithead, leav-
ing the rest to guard the entrance. Once inside.
four or five gunb0ats could at any time OF the tide
run right up the harbOr and carry out the work OF
destruction inside no one hinderlng them or saying
them nay. In f0ur-my companion said two, but
double the time--in four hours Portsmouth, dock
yard would be destroyed and with 1t the right arm
OF England would be cut or wthered. destroyed
And, remember, Portsmouth is the strongest de-
Tended place we have IN the country. From Ports.
Brighton and Hastings to the mouth Of the Thames.
OF the deences OF thus port shall speak In my next