smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

Farming is profession, not to say a
science. If any one doubts this statement
let him leave his city home-for no one
bred in the country will doubt it-and un-
dertake to cultivate even garden of half
an acre for the summer. He will then
find that knowledge is as essential to the
right use of the spade as of the pen, and
that there is as great difference between
the scientific farming of Flanders, where
literally not a weed is to be seen, and that
of many of our farmers, the wealth of
whose soil is about equally divided between
fruits and weeds, as between the trade of
a modern commercial city and the barber
of back-woods settlement. 1t is true
that agriculture has been the last to re-
ceive the impetus of modern science. 1t
is true that many agriculturists are con-
tented to go on in the ways of their faith
ers, because experiments are costly. But
it is also true that they are unable to COM
pete with those who understand the use of
new instruments, methods, and fertilizers.
Agriculture is also becoming in this coun-
try popular recreation. Many gentle
man is content to spend on his country
seat, money which he makes in the count
ing-room. The practical farmer is thus
able to get the benefit of experiments with
out paying for them. This change in ag-
riculture, which has converted it from
drudgery to an art, has created a demand
for corresponding literature. " Fifty
years ago stable agricultural periodical
did not exist on the American Continent"
Now every considerable district has one,
while almost every weekly paper, secular
or religious, has its agricultural depart
ment; and it will not be long before some
thing of library will be part of the fur
niture of every well-ordered farm.-Har-
per's Magazine for July.
Year: 1869

So you see, my dear, though had no
silk dresses, l had plenty of beaux, and a
gay heart; and enjoyed a sail with an
old sun-bonnet over my curls, or moon
light ramble with merry party, much
better than you do "the German" and
half an hour was sufficient warning for
me to " dress" for any kind of party-in-
doors or out-because, unlike you, 1 was
not bothered to choose from twenty dresses
which to wear; and 1 will give you leave
to ask any of my beaux, who are now
grandfathers, if was not able at that
time to settle their accounts! And it is
because 1 had such good time that l
feel vexed that your youth and prettiness
should SO often 60 begging-though no
fault of yours; and you may show this to
your mothers, and tell them say so.
Year: 1869

From what we have seen, the plum
crop will not be so abundant as that of
last year was before the ravages of the
curculio told upon it. Some persons find
it impossible to save their plums from the
curculio, but the seeming impossibility
consists in their not knowing the proper
remedies Or putting them into practice.


In the neighborhood of Schenectady,
N. Y. very large crops of plums are
raised annually for market with perfect
success, very little annoyance being given
by the curculio the growers say that they
plant trees enough to supply the curcu-
lios with as much as they need, and after
their quota has been filled there are
enough trees provided for to supply the
market.


A variety of plans for protecting the
plum crop from the curculio have been
tried with, in many instances. satisfactory
results. Among these are jarring the
trees and collecting the insects on cloths
spread on the ground. The curculio
loves to be let alone, and it is said that
in some instances plums have been pro-
tected from its attacks by simply jarring
the trees several times day.


A gentleman from Coyington, Ken
lucky, reported to the Cincinnati Horti-
cultural Society that he had saved his
plums from the curculio by fumigating
with tobacco stems, burned under the
trees. He requested the appointment of
a committee to examine the orchard and
report. His request was granted and the
committee after examination, reported that
the trees which were fumigated were load
ed with fruit, while others which were
omitted in the smoking had no fruit at all.
Stephen Smith, Esq. Of detroit succeeds
in raising fine crop of plums every fa-
vorable season by keeping poultry under
his trees. In fact the trees are growing
in his poultry yard. There are no traces
of the curculio to be seen on his fruit, ex-
cept in places where his trees interlock
with those of neighbor who does not
use the same remedy.


A fruit grower writes that he has sue
ceeded in raising a crop of plums by dust
ing the fruit with plaster while the dew is
on. When the plaster is washed off by
rain he gives fresh busting, continuing
the process as often as needed until the
fruit is ripe.


These remedies are simple and inexpen-
sive and are we'll worthy of trial. The
curculio is sometimes very destructive to
peaches and cherries, and to protect these
fruits the same remedies should be applied.


When the crop has been left to take
care of itself and the curculio has had full
possession and has destroyed the fruit, an
effort should be made to prevent SINH
lar disaster in the ensuing year, by pick
ing up the fallen fruit and burning it.
Hogs in an orchard are useful when the
damaged fruit is falling, as they eat it and
destroy the larvae of the curculio and the
apple-worm. When contending with these
formidable pests of the orchard eternal
vigilance" will be the price of success
Western Rural.
Year: 1869

They moult about January or February,
and in May, when they are in full plum
age, the males assemble early in the morn
ing to exhibit themselves in the singular
manner which the natives call their - Sa-
ceP" or dancing parties, in certain trees
in the forest, which are fruit trees as l
at first imagined, but which have an i'm
mense head of spreading branches and
large but scattered leaves, giving clear
space for the birds to play and exhibit their
plumcs. On one of these trees dozen or
twenty full -plumaged male birds assemble
together, raise up their wings, stretch out
their necks, and elevate their exquisite
plumes, keeping them in continual Vi
bration. Between whilcs they fly across
from branch to branch in great excitement,
so that the whole tree is filled with waving
plumes in every variety of attitude and
motion. The bird itself is nearly as large
as crow, and is of rich cotfee-brown
color. The head and neck is of pure
straw-yellow above, and rich motalic green
beneath. The long plumy tufts of golden
orange feathers spring from the sides be-
meath each wing, and when the bird is i'll
repose are partly concealed by them. At
the time of its excitement, however, the
wings are raised vertically over the back,
the head is bent down and stretched out,
and the long plumes are raised up and ex-
panded till they form two magnificent
golden fans, striped with deep red at tho
base, and fading off into the pale brown
tint of the finely divided aud softly waving
points. The whole bird is then overshadow-
ed by them, the crouching body, yellow
head, and emerald green throat forming
but the foundation and setting to the gold
en- glory which waves above. When seen
in this attitude the Bird of Paradise really
deserves its name, and must be ranked as
one of the most beautiful and most won
derful of living things.


This habit enables the natives to obtain
specimens with comparative ease. As
soon as they find that the birds have fixed
upon a tree on which to assemble, they
luild little shelter of palm leaves in
convenient place among the branches, and
the hunter ensconces himself in it before
daylight, armed with his bow and num-
ber of arrows terminating in a round knob.
A boy waits at the foot of the tree, and
when the birds como at sunrise, and suf-
ficient number have assembled, and have
begun to dance, the hunter shoots with his
blunt arrow so strongly as to stun the bird.
which drops down and is secured and killed
by the boy without its plumage being in
jured by a drop of blood. The rest tako
no notice, and fall one after another till
some of them take the alarm.-A r.
WALLACE in Harper's Migazine for July.
Year: 1869

A large portion of those who own har-
ness and carriages, either through igno-
rance or carelessness pay so little attention
to their preservation, that in few months
they generally look soiled and old. If
proper care is taken, this may be avoided.
The principal difficulty results from allow
ing the mud to remain on for a long time
or from the manner of washing it off, and
we will give few hints about keeping
harness and carriages in good order.


Those who have the care of harness
need not be troubled to prevent it from
getting wet, for leather, if in good con-
dition, is seldom injured by water. Car
should be taken, however, to hang up the
harness, and not allow it to be thrown in,
to heap on the floor, to lie and moulde
instead of drying off.


The leather should be kept fairly oiled.
but the harness should first be taken apart
and washed with soft water, and the oil
may be rubbed in while the leather is
moist, care being trken that the applica-
tion is thoroughly made. For this pur-
pose meats foot oil is the best. If the har-
ness also needs blacking, a little lamp
black should be added to the oil, and the
rubbing should be continued until white
cloth may be used in wiping off the har-
ness without being solid Leather varnish
should never be used on harness. In
cleaning the plating, rotten stone or whi-
ting may be used, but generally an occa-
sional rubbing off with woolcn cloth will
be all that is necessary.


The first thing to remember in cleaning
a carriage is that the mud which may ac-
cumulate is not to be taken off by rubbing
if it is dry, (and it should never be allow
ed to become so if it is possible to prevent
iO soap it well and let it get soft, so that
by throwing on water it will run off Af-
ter carriage has thus been thoroughly
rinsed off, and all the corners cleaned out,
the work may be finished with pail Of
clean cold water and a good sponge; if the
sponge is not clean, it will be likely to
scratch the paint. After washing, piece
of chamois skin should be used to rub all
the paint and polished work until it is
thoroughly dry. 1t is hardly necessary to
say that no one who cares at all for nice
looking carriage will ever leave dirt in the
corners.


There need be no fear of washing car
riagc too often; if washed every time it is
run out, and dried with chamois, there
will generally be less trouble about the
cracking of paint. But the care of car
riage does not end with the washing. A
suitable room to keep it in is very i'm
portant consideration. A coach-house that
is not properly ventilated, or in damp
place, where steam of any kind passes
through it, will, in a short time, furnish
the opportunity for destroying the best
painted carriage every made; in these ca
ses it is too common to attribute the fault
to the painter.
Year: 1869

A New Hampshire editor, who has been
keeping record of big beets, announces
at last that "the beet that beat the beet
that beat the other beet is now beaten by
a beet that beats all the beets, whether the
original beet, the beet that beat the beet,
or the beet that beat the beet that beat the
other beet"
Year: 1869

With this week the Voter enters
its third year of publication. Its
success SO far has been better tlian
we at first anticipated. Its regular
circulation now is little over 800
which is considerably larger than
was ever sustained by any other
American paper in the County-and
is slowly but steadily increasing.
We have been disappointed in not
being able to enlarge rs expected,
but shall do 50 as soon as practicable.
Meanwhile, keeping out all "dead"
and "trash' Advertising, We shall
give as much reading matter a. pos
sible. The present press of Adver-
tising, Ordinances, &C., will soon be
over, and then considerably more
reading matter will be given again.


We have done our best to publish
a good, live, reliable County paper
with what success, let its readers
say. We shall still do our best in
the future. TO our friends and pat
rons we would return most sincere
thanks for their manifestations of
goodwill; and would respectfully
solicit a continuance of their pat
ronage.
Year: 1869

Being called out for speech at
the Republican State Convention at
Des Moincs last Thursday, EX-GOv.
KirkwOOd made few remarks, rela-
ting how, eight years ago, certain
very serious charges of "AbOlition-
ism" were brought as objections
against him. He made brief but
effective sketch of the state OF public
opinion at that time-and then, sud
denly stopping, and turning toward
a colored Vice President on the plat
form and colored Delegate on the
floor, he calculated, 'and now, what"
Mere pen and ink cannot convey the
picture; but the circumstances, the
words, the looks and tones, brought
out a peal Of most tumultuOus and
enthusiastic cheering.


And indeed the day was an epoch
in history. Then and there, for the
first time, the representatives of a
race elevated to full enfranchisement
and equal rights by the voice of the
people of a State, met as equal and
equally respected Delegates in State
Convention. Well may we be thank
full that the strong tide Of public
opinion is now full on the side Of
right and justice. There will be
some clap-trap of course, some effer-
vescence, some mere froth and foam
caused by the change Of the popular
current; but these will soon subside,
and the broad stream Of equal rights
will flow on then so smooth and
steadily that we shall wonder how it
could ever have run any other way.
The status Of the col0red man will
then be determined by his merits,
intrinsic and otherwise, justas sthat
of the white man now. The State Of
Iowa has given him freedom: let him
mako Of II what he may.
Year: 1869

competition. His conduct OF tht
office so far seems to have given ex-
cellent satisfaction, as it undoubtedly
will i'm the future.


AS to the Platform, we have before
expressed the opinion that a State
Platform, except where State issues
are concerned, amounts to little or
nothing. And especially is this the
case when the Report Of the Com
mittee on Resolutions is merely read
once and then adopted in a lump.
The great and distinctive principles
OF the party were announced before.
and are known of all men. We ac-
cept the Resolutions at the head oi
this iApef as the voice Of the State
Convention. The first and second
Resolutions are all right. The
third, as we understand it, was in
tended to knock the State House
question in the head. Upon this
matter our feelings are with the
Resolution, but our judgment, SO far
as we understand the facts in the
case, is against it.


The remaining Resolutions are
merely the expression of general and
recognized Republican sentiments;
except that the last one is SO general,
and SO necessarily based upona som {,
what distant acquaintance with the
minutiR of the facts, that it can
hardly be considered to have any
binding force over any individual
opinion.


The Temperance question-that
is to say, the question of taking a
more advanced party ground in favor
of more strict ProhibitiOn--wa.
perhaps wisely tabled in Committee


To sum up, the result in the State
is so overwhelmingly certain in oui
favor that the campaign in thi'
respect will amount to little NOR,
than sitting in the triumphal car o
progress and looking out at the win
dOws to hear the little dogs in oppO
sition bark along the road. Bat il
this County the case is different. :,
large vote as we have, SO closely
divided, necessitates the utmos
wisdom in the selection Ofcandidates
and the most strict honorable fidelity
to our party organization. And
sure that the result i'm the State mex


Fall will be glorious .as ever, ist .u
earnestly hope and strive that ou
own County shall make one granC
step forward again.
Year: 1869

and ten ministers Other amnesties are also promul-
gated. The Of servitude OF le2s convcts beyond
the seas have consideration OF their good conduct
and industry. been committed or reduced upon the
report OF the Minister OF Justice and Public W0r-
shin on the recommendation OF the same Minister,
I75 of the National Guard Of the department OF the
Seine under punishment for breaches OF discipline
have had their sentences RENTED. Soldiers and
tials have also shared in the Imperial amnesty.
Year: 1869




San Francisco Correspondence Chicago Times. J


A few days since merchant named
James jackson met with little adven-
ture which has brought him quite prom
inently before the public. Some weeks
since he became acquainted, at party
in this city, which his wife did not attend,
with young girl attending school in a
neighboring town, and during the eve
ming bestowed upon her more than Or
dinary attention. He represented to her
that he was single gentleman, and being
possessed of that quality of impudence
which is too frequently palmed off for
wit, and stock of brass exceeding the
quantity In his shop, be succeeded in i'm
posing upon the simple school girl, and
in leading her to believe him gentle
man. The acquaintance was formed
during her vacation, after which she re-
turned to school, but not to her studies.
The effect of their acquaintance was to
cause her to think more of the young
man than she should ever have thought,
at her age, of one more worthy of her
esteem. A correspondence was opened
between them, he supplying her with ex-
press envelopes for the purpose, and
their epistolsry communication was FREE
quent. A few days since he visited her
at the school, and, by mutual agreement,
introduced himself as her brother.


Fortunately for the young girl, a
schoolmate saw and recognized the fell
low, and gave information to the teach
ers. The case was reported to the girls
relatives, and the whole matter brought
to light upon the investigation which fol-
lowed.


On Wednesday morning gentleman
relative of the young girl called upon the
deceiver at his place of business, and in
terrogated him upon his conduct. he
could give no explanation, and when
asked his motives in the course he had
pursued, replied, stammeringly, that he
" didn't know" The gentleman then
produced cowhide from uuder his coat,
aud proceeded to lay it over the fellows
head and shoulders, until, screeching
with pain, he ran out of the back en-
trance of his store, followed by his assail-
ant, and into a milllner's shop, next
door, where he sought the protection of
the women there employed. He was not
pursued to his retreat, but the gentleman
calmly wound up his cowhide, slowed it
in his pocket, aud quietly walked away,
under the conviction that the marks
which he had imprinted upon the ooun-
tenance of the false husband and would
be seducer would teach him lesson by
which be would be likely 10 profit.
Year: 1869

FROM the Muncle Nlnu.J Ilmes, Mhrcn &o.J
A queer wedding came off in -
township, in this county, Mr.. B. Miller
figuring as groom, and Miss Amanda
Partley as the bride The minister who


was to blend two hearts aud two lives
into one was young and inexperienced
in the matrimonial business, and, it is
surmised, approached his task with
great deal of difidence and nervous
trepidation. When he arrived at the
scene of action, he found the happy
couple standing at the pump in the yard,
talking about their approaching union.
He at once proposed marrying them then
and there, aud declared that he would not
marry them at all unless he was per-
mitted to perform the ceremony right of,
Here was q fix. The parties were ready,
but they were outside the house. The
guests, also, were ready, bat they were
inside the house, and unless q connec-
ton was formed between the outsiders
and the insiders, it would be rather dry
work for the latter. But the youthful
divine was memorable, and the happy
couple fnally stood upon the pump
platform, and were soon made man and
wife. The young minister then made
bee-line for home, while the happy
couple, returning to the house, e,aunounced
to their wondering friends what had be-
fallen them. After the wonder and sur
prise had abated, and the wedding feast
disposed of, came the task Of putting the
bride aud groom to bed, as was the fash
ion in olden times. In disrobing the
bride there was some difficulty, as some
of the garments had a very brief nara
tive; and finally the groom got mad, and
informed the ofieious associates that
they could attend to all them little affairs
themselves, aud hoped they would at
once be permitted to do so. The assist
ants took the hint, backed out, the cur
tain fell, and thus ended this queer we'd
ding
Year: 1869

Once more Another Saturday
night. Again the raven has borne
It's load Of seven bundles back to the
shelves Of the past, to beentombed till
the final settling Another weekly
volume bound and laid away-each Of
the seven chapters the book contains
sealed forever. No matter how many
blots or wrong figures, We cannot
open the volume TO erase or change
the record is complete so far


Our past is His Present! Ii is His
safe wherein is locked beyond the
reach OF our opening or genius of our
keys life records to be looked at
whenever He wills. And He calls us
TO settlement whether we are ready
or no. Oh. that hone but good rec.
ords were against all OF u.s.


But no more Of this tonight. 1t is
not Of the past, and yet it il. All the
week we have toiled with the brain
and hand, till head and body be weary.
But now we can rest, and lift from the
cooling spring OF memory boadcts
strung with pearl drops, wherein and
whoroon are beautiful pictures. We
see n thousand faces thus. Faces Of
those who little think we see them
We hear the laugh, the voice Of friends
as we shape the pearls thus drawn
out together-wc feel the earnest
grasp OF heart warmed hands, and live
over again the years that are lost, as
traveller would retracc his steps, and
stop only at the most beautiful places
he visited in the years ahed.


And as we look these scenes over
we feel lonely tonight No one in
the room save ourself and the unseen
spirits which fill tho air, and which
come aud 90 at our hearistilled bid
ding. Tho white dial of the watch
bcioreus seems tonight so much like q
face we know, often have our eyes
rested thereon. We listen TO tn,
"ihmk quick-think quick Of the heart
work Of this little mechanism, anC
cannot half think.
Year: 1869

AFFECTING INc1DEST.-A lady with a
sick infant, en- route to this city to visit her
mother, was among the passengers on the
boat from Washington to Aqua Creek Oh
Saturday night. The little sufferer was
seized with convulsions just as they were
about leaving the boat, and died in its mo-
theirs arms on the train about ten miles
this side of the creek.
Year: 1869

RELIGIoUs.-A meeting Of the male mem
bers of the church and congregation of the
Third Presbyterian church (Church Hill)
and others who feel an interest in the well
fare of the church will be held in the lee
ture-room of the church this evening at s
o'clock.
Year: 1869

IMPORTANT IF TRuE.-It is stated that a
few drops of kerosene oil exposed III q room
will keep off mosquitoes, and that kero-
sene oil lamp left burning all night will
have the same effect upon these blood
thirsty insects
Year: 1869

HOMICIDE IN STAUNTON-ARREsT OF THE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS by the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad train last evening brought
information of melancholy homicide in
Staunton on Sunday morning little after
midnight. They state that party of six


or eight young men of the town visited o


house Of ill-repute with the purpose of


taking therefrom well-known married
man and giving him such lesson in regard


to his bad conduct as might effectually break
him of his habits. After entering the
house (when in a dark room) and before
the object of their search had been dis
covered pistol was fred, and the fatal
ball from it sped to the heart of young
Jacob Sherer, one of the party above
named, who soon after expired. 1t is
charged that the light from the flash of the
pistol revealed the person of John Stanley
in the act of discharging the deadly weapon.
Immediately upon committing the bloody
deed he fed, but was arrested some hour or
two later and committed to Jail. The
friends of Stanley say that they will be
able to prove that he had not left his home
that night, and was not the guilty party
Stanley is livery stable keeper. Young
Sherer was the son Of a confectioner of that
name, and was highly respected.