smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1862

The CLAxoR AGAINST THE TAX BnL.--we'
observe that all the small fry traders in the
country are sending deputations to Washing
ton to obtain notifications Of the new Tax bill
in favor of their own particular interests. Hat
tiers, cappers and billiard markers; brewers,
paper makers and dog fanciers; auctioneers,
hotel keepers and carriage makers, have each
their grievance TO lay before the committee,
and they swarm like office seekers about the
capital. The abolition newspapers join in
great howl on their own account, and very
soon we sha, expect to find all the tinkers and
tailors in the country joining in the dance TO
Washington. There is really no occasion for
all this excitement; but, in order to put stop
to it, the best thing for Congress to do Is to
pass the bill at once. We are quite willing to
pay our share If the complaints of all were
acted upon we should have no tax bill what
ever. Every one who goes to Washington to
state his particular grievance ought to be sent
to The old Capitol jail a. an enemy Of the coun-
try. There 10 plenty Of room there now,
Year: 1862

A WINNING CAUSE GOoD ONE.-The victory
at Fort Donelson seems to have made sensible
impression even upon the most violent of the
secessionist sympathizers at the other side.
The very pains which the London Times takes
to explain away its Importance shows that it
has already produced good fruits. The best
proof of its beneficial effects is the FLIP that it
has given to American securities. When the
news of the rapid succession of brilliant Union
victories that has since taken place reaches
Liverpool, the revolution in public opinion, as
to the prospect of the speedy reconstruction
of the Union, will be complete. We are anxious
to see how the London Times will seek to ex-
plain away its ferocious hostility and Its pre-
dictions OF ruin, financial as well as political,
to tho North. A winning cause is generally a
good one, and we expect that our London con-
temporary will not be long in recognizing the
value of the axiom in our regard.
Year: 1862

months he would compel the enemy to svscu'
ate his stronghold at Manassas without firing
q shot or losing man, and that be would plant
the flag of the Union upon the spires Of Rich
mond, or compel the foe to give him battle IN
fair field, in which he could not only overthrow
him without great loss to his own army, but
render the battle decisive, as he recently an
nounced in his spirited address to his army,
which rang out like the tones of q trumpet.
These anticipations are now being fulfilled
Manassas is already evacuated by the rebels
and occupied by our troops, and soon Rich
mond will be in the hands of Mcclellan with
out blow, and the insurgent army in full re-
treat to the cotton States, demoralized, dis
organized mob, to be dispersed by the Union
armies of the southwest and the Atlantic coast;
otherwise Johnston will be compelled to turn
round and face the music, and thus end the war
by suffering an overwhelming defeat on "the
decisive battle field" Such are the grand re-
suits to which the scientific combinations Of
Mcclellan are leading with sure and steady
progress.
Year: 1862

BEAUTIFUL isn't il That some of the rates in the
parallel columns happen to be the pure accident
They all arrived at by starting from different pre-
mses Up to four poundsa nominal limit for the weight
y $40.


Of should suppose that postal
committees in Congress would set about sim
pyng these and make them perplexing the pub


c and easier TO carry out by the Post Office clerks. Not
On the contrary, the new Post Oncs bill provides
Tor two additional colHmns in the above formidable
tabetwo more classes. Without being very rude, Can
did not mention that In vast amount Of transient
printed matter the above rates not applicable but
tho packages must be examined critically and post
age charged by the piece That viii increase the
different rates indefnitely--to between and
swo thousand at least. Then this does not
cover tho NEW YORK HERALD, the Atlantic Magazine
and other papers and periodicals sent regularly TO sub
scrbcs, the postage being paid quarterly yearly On
these there are nomnay between one and two hundred
In the postal regulations forty OF these rates
givcn No words no language no elaborate description
do justice TO this vast statistical problem. have
been something of postal student myself-had some
perence in and other post Offices; but confess
the vast wisdom OF these nnitossima divisions and sub
divisions quite overpowers Are not our
postal laws fearfuy and wonderfully made
And, sir, we had post olce official
who admired this marvellous piece OF statistical net
work tried to comprehend IT, and a all times defended
II at the point OF his baygoose Quill This monarch Of
the position this brilliant planet in the postal SYSTEM has
gone up, eliminated, and now adorns another sphere
Very likely however, he may have left SUCCESSORS and
logtsomc Of them may question either my facts the
deductions from them and give me ''chawing up,v I
acsist and subscribe myself your obedcnt servant,


Secretary OF tho New York Postal Reform Committee


NEW YoRK Dec. 81, 1861.
Year: 1862

and so Mt Beaufort, when the panic created
by their landing invited an advance. We
regard the last four weeks as decisive of
the war, notmerely by its results, or rather
barrenness of results favorable to the en-
emy, but by its clear development of the
fact that the Yankees have enlisted in the
army for a living. and with a fixed objec-
ton to hard fighting,"


Not so at all; The men OF the North
have enlisted in the army to fight, and
their impatience for the conflict amounts
to frenzy. They have never been order
ed to go forward, as the affairs at Balls
Bluff and DrainesvilIc prove, without leap
ing at the chance. But they are at the
same time obedient to their commanders.
AS the generals, for reasons inscrutable to
ordinary minds, have thought it wise
policy to allow two hundred and fifty
thousand men to be almost blockaded at
Washington, they submit like good SOL
diers. When the word is given to move,
if that ever happens, they will obey it, as
the rebels will find, with terrible alac-
rity.


On another point the Richmond reason
er is mistaken. When he supposes, be-
cause we have sacrificed such admirable
opportunities heretofore, that the war is
decided, heis talking for effect. Though
it may require more men and more money
to carry out our plans now than it would
have cost month ago, VIC are still able to
carry them out. Our soldiers aud our peo-
pie are just as determined as ever they
were to crush the rebellion. They had all
the means they ever had, and they will
also find the persons to execute their pur-
poses.
Year: 1862

Ond Lieutenant l find upon perusal one
gentleman, private by the name of John
B. Arniss, who has been promoted to Sur
geon, and transferred to the hospital at
Charleston.


We have two very nice e-pound guns
that they found inconvenient to take
with them, they had tbem planted in a very
nice place to command the entrance of the
Gap, but the lst Va. boys who had the
pleasure of entering the Gap, found it convc-
nieut to proceed, through, Notwithstanding
the cannons mouth presented itself to them,
but some how or other, just as an old gcu-
tlcman THAT proved afterwards to be quite
an aged man) was about to touch off the
gun, something struck him, and if l am not
mistaken it was ball from q gun in the
hands of member of the 9th Ohio, who
had succeeded in getting on the hill side,
where he had quite commanding view of
the old gentleman.


From the appearance of the articles cap
tured, was almost persuaded to believe
that we had run against Artemus Ward
and his Regiment of Brigadier Generals,
as almost every other man of our Brigade
had sword presented to them.


There was several of the Inhabitants of
Blues Gap that had been detailed to watch
the Yankees, and were placed about n mile
and half from their camp, supposed to be
secesh pickets, (for one of them had shot
gun and another or two had flint lock mus
kets) condecended to come along with u.s.
And as VIC have not got very desirable
hotel for them to putup in, think it will
be necessary for them to proceed to the
AthenNeum alWheeling, and as they do not
understand the geography of the country,
it will be necessary for them to be supplied
with an escort, which have no doubt will
be furnished. suppose you will receive
more minute account of this little party.
Consequently will leave of, as it is grow
ing late and fear will be late for the
mail.


Yours with respect,


p r 1St Vo
Year: 1862

Indeed, one Of the arguments urged for
the incorporation Of this provision into
this bill is, that the creditors Of the Gov
eminent, who must take these notes. must
have the power TO get rid OF them again,
as matter Of justice TO them /; Otherwise
they might perish on their hands. The
death ought TO occur one remove from


them. In the name OF all commercial
sagacity, how long do you expect 10 Keep
afloat currency ;hat thus has to cut its
way into market--be shot into men, SO to
speak How long will it be before the
holders Of services and commodities will
refuse TO exchange for il (? Aud, when
that time comes, even creditors will prefer
TO trust debtor still further TO taking il,
and il comes 10 an end with almost everv-
thing and everybody who depended upon
it. To this feature cannot consent. q I
will vote 10 expunge it; and, if that fails, I
will choose between the bill and its defeat.
Year: 1862

AS the branches of q tree return their
sap to the root, from whence il arose as d
river poureth his streams to the sea whence
his spring was supplied; SO the heart of q
grateful man deIightoth in returning bene.
it received.


He acknowledged bis obligation with
cheerfulness; he looketh on bis benefactor
with love and esteem.


And, IL return DO not in his power, he
nourishes the memory of il to his breast
with kindness he forgetteth it not In all
the days of bis life.


The hand of the generous man is like the
clouds of heaven. which drop upon tho
earth, fruits, horbage and flowers; the
heart of the ungrAteful is like desert OF
sand. which swalloweth with greodiness the
showers that fall but burieth them in its
bosom, and produceth nothing. ....


Envy not thy bonefactor; neither strive
to conceal the benefit he hath conferred
for, though to oblige is better than to be
obliged. though the act of generosity com.
mandeth admiration, yet the humility OF
gratitude touched the heart, and is amiablo
in tho sight of God and men.


Bot receive not favor from tho hand OF
the proud; to the selfsh aud avaricious
have no obligation ). the vanity of pride
shall expose thee to shame; the greediness
OF aVarlce shall never be satisfied.
Year: 1862

RoBERT BAGLEY was one Of those odd geni-
uses who seem to have no defined sphere or
mission here on this lower earth. He was al
ways engaging in a grand speculation Of some
sort, which was sure to make a fortune tor
him; and something was certain to Illustrate
his plans-some rare and almost impossible
combination Of circumstances, that nobody
could have foreseen-just when the future
smiled most brightly upon him.


He had begun life in mercantile counting
house; but found commerce slow in its remu-
neration, so he took to the stock-exehange
This soon exhausted the small capital he pos
sessed, and a wealthy uncle purchased share
in a newspaper Tor the young man. Robert
wrote the money articles, and used them with
some success in his stoekjobbing operations /;
but the newspaper shortly died, and my hero
became agent for patent connected with a
printing The fortune be had conf
dendy expected, did not suddenly accrue to
him; so he dropped this patent for another;
and falling in with some political people, tried
to geta fat berth in the Patent Offioe at Wash
ington.


He failed, but made little money out Of a
contract for Illustrating Patent Reports which
he armed OUT to some engravers Of his ac-
quaintance. The engraving business having
been thus brought to his notice, he endeavor-
ed to perfect the zincographic process, SO as to
supersede The use of lockwood, and in time,
made some very interesting discoveries
Among these was the fact that the new pro-
cess was a total failure.


During one of his flush" periods, he tad
dent three hundred dollars to a friend who was
about going to Cuba with a cargo Of ice
This friend now returned with ship-load of
cigars and oranges, and offered to pay Bagley
in trade. he took the amount, then, in ci-
garS and opened a neat little store in Broad
way, for their sale. It was near a theatre
and in time the actors and managers made it
a sort Of rendezvous. Robert sold his cigar
store the next winter, and undertook the
management of the theatre


It was during this season that the great
diamond robbery was perpetrated, when
Aad'lle de Bayarde lost the splendid jewels
given her by Baron Won Kowhingen, at Vi
emma.


The case was avery interesting one, involg-
ing much time-and research, and Bagley fol-
bowed it up with the delight Of a man who
has talent, hitherto undeveloped, for intrigue
and diplomacy. he evinced SO much skill
and perseverance, and outdid even the shrew-
dest detective officers so cleverly, that his
friends advised him to adhere to the business,
and he did, The theatrical management was
unsuccessful, but the ex-manager soon held a
high position in the detective police.
Year: 1862

The Paris Pays has the following curious
story -


As police patrol was going its round one
night in the nei9hborhood Of The Pantheon, it
found man attired in the most extraordinary
way. lying On a stone bouch at PORE c1o5g's
Year: 1862

LOCAL AGENrs.-We desire to secure the
services Of soile reliable person as Agent for
cur paper, in every town and township of this
aud adjoining counties. Any one willing to
accept an agency, or knowing of any other
person who would be, will confer favor by
Immediately addressing us. We will compen-
gate Agents to their entire satisfaction.
Year: 1862




While Bagley was still the lessee and di-
rector Of the theatre, little episode occurred,
which has a material bearing upon this story.


It was Just at dusk, and the manager was
standing in front Of his house, as managers
love to, at about the time when the audience
begin to gather around the still-closed aper-
lures Of the ticket-ofice He was lost in
some dream Of the future, or some memory OF
the past, and paid little attention to the exter-
nal world about him. until recalled by a sud
den and unusual request


A lady, closely vailed, approached him in a
hurried manner, and begged his protection
against the attentions of two men who had
been following her and prosecuting her with
various vulgar batteries. She seemed in great
trepidation and alarm, and had appealed to
Bagiey, she said, because she knew him by
sight and by name, and had always consider
ed him polite and worthy gentleman.


The manager placed her in safety in the YES
tibule Of the theatre, and confronted the two
persons whose escort she had found so dis
tasteful They made some show OF imperti-
nence at frst but on a threat Of the police,
and few vigorous words of reproof they
shrank away.


This was not an emergency to bring forth
any astounding degree Of heroic ehivalry; but
the lady, terrified as she was, magnifed her
deliverance in proportion to her magnitude of
alarm, and was disposed to took upon Bagley
as the preserver of her life, at the very least.


Her excitement and tear made her quite i'll
Tor a brief time, and Robert invited her to sit
down in the box-ofice until he could procure
glass Of wine -and-water to overcome her
taintness. She accepted, and the halfhours
chat that ensued was as pleasant as possible.


Finally, the clerk entered to open the Office,
and the lady arose to go. Bagley, charmed
by her beauty and conversation. pallantiv Of
fered her the use Of his carriage, which stood
at the cottage door, and offered to drive her
to her home. She consented, with evident
gratitude, to this arrangement; and the ride
to her residence handsome house in Twen-
ty-third street, on the east side-was as agre-
able as the chat in the box-office bad been.


On parting from Bagley, his charge gave
him card, and invited him to call upon her,
when she could thank him in a more compos-
eo and tranquil manner tor his kindness.


This, he promised both himself and her he
would speedily do; but when he arrived at
the theatre again, and examined the card, he
was mortified to find that it was blank. In
dOubtedly, she had given it to him by mis-
take


After this I must confess that the managers
mind was very much haunted by the memory
Year: 1862

but not with the reins of Government.
!, That better day may be vouchsaled as must
be the earnest prayer ofaIl who love their
country, whatever their party predictions.
That Of those who love their country the vast
majority will rally to our ticket-the only
one that is available to check the headlong
course of those who rule to ruin us-is the
conviction OF all Democrats in this part of the
State, and OF none more than, dear sir,
Your fellow-citizen and very humble SER
want,


c.. INGERsoLL,
Year: 1862

STARRING UNDER DIFFICULTIEs.-An novel way to "spark it" was introduced in this village a few evenings since. It seems that a young fel- low who had been "paying attentions" to a young lady, was about to leave town and there fore obliged to hurry up matters in that line. For some reason, however, his Dulcinea was not allowed to bring him into the house where she boarded, at the peril of her losing the place. In consequence of this unexpected difficulty they

 had to content themselves by walking out. This

 method answered all purposes very well, until the evening before his departure. They of course were allowed the advantages of the beau

 tiful moonlight evening, but notwithstanding, it didn't equal the "sitting up O nights" process. While contemplating upon what to do next, a brilliant idea struck the fair damsel. She was

 acquainted with girl who boarded at another house, and she could escort her fond lover there,

 and then they could pursue their courtship with all the peace and tranquility imaginable. Not needing the latensss of the hour, they at once proceeded to the house in question; the better companion knocked at the door; it was opened

 unto them; but on inquiring for the person

 whom they were seeking, they were informed that she had retired. But they must see her at any rate for importance sake. Thereupon the girl was summoned to appear, and the now hap pY couple were escorted into the .parlor. How long it took to ",settle up business deponent saith not but it is authoritatively stated that it was an early hour when the fairest, by invitation on her own part, retired to the laad of dreams with her very accommodating friend, while the opposite companion didn't go home till morn. ing" The whole affair caused a "melodious discord in the happy family where it occurred, and has also created considerable gossip for the scandal-mongers in the peighborhood.-Great Bdrrinutor Courier. .-..4 2. sf ..s
Year: 1862

In few days the keel q another ironclad vessel


larger than tho ten Ericsson gunboas in course Of
struction will be laid Of the up town wharves
In this city Tho mailed vessels now building are ali
gunboas, except the New Ironsidss and Roanoke The
latter the only two which approach in magnitude the
mensters Of France and England. We have to bo


eve that the to he commenced next week will
be of the largest yet conceived in this country The
blocks for keel have already been laid and the
ship house, which she will be constructed nearly


finished. Il fully three hundred ieet long that tho
length Of tho craft will b. nearly Of the dimcn
sons When the Roanoke New ronsdes and this vessel
completed will have force OF ironclad frirates
which, when named aud equipped. will equal the
numbe~ of any others In the universe There is
impression prevalent that all the Ericsson gnboats
building are like tho New Ironsdes. This Is not
The latter vessel Is $500 tons buren while of the
former viii measure half Of those figures.
Year: 1862

TREASURY NorEs.-On Wednesday last, the Con-
vention by large majority, passed an ordinance
providing that the interest attached to the three
millions of treasury notes ordered to be issued at
the last session, shall be stricken out We learn
that about 1925 900 of these Understanding notes
have already been issued by the Treasurer, and OF
course as provided by the ordinance just passed,
I, ese notes will be continued in Gil cuation and the
interest paid on them at maturity. The main
reason for striking out the interest was that the
Banks declined to receive the nterestbearing notes.
This obstructed their circulation among the people
and the Convention it thcaght, had no aiterna-
tive but to strike out the interest and place these
notes on the same footing with those previously
issued If the credit of the State should be as well
sustained by notes without as with interest, the
fact will e gratifying, and a considerable amount
of interest will have been saved.
Year: 1862

= John NJ johnson, of Kentucky, was nominated for
Congress from LIST District of that State who declines
that honor and shows the true spirit that pervades
the Southern heart Of the clark and bloody
ground" lie concludes with the following patriotic
words. Such men may be killed, but never con.
quered: er a


"When was driven from my scat in the Senate Of
kentucky, and had to travel in disguise, and under
an assumed name for declaring in my place that
Lincoln was usurper and had violated every pro-
vision Of the Constitution, and broken every law
that was in his way; and when after my flight I
met my wife, children, and grand children, home.
less and destitute scattered like lambs before the
wolf, one in place, then resolved to identify my
self with the Southern army, and stand by its for
tunes until the last battle was fought and the last
gun fired, and this will do, God helping me. If
we win and | believe we shall, then will rejoice
with you, and other exiles who have nobly sacrificed
all to serve the great cause Of Southern indepcn-
dence. But if We must succcmb, if our cause must
be crushed to death beneath the tread Of the North
man, call God to witness that will be crushed
with it.


am now engaged, where I think I can be most
useful, and so long as those above me think so,
will faithfully serve with whatever ability or ex.
perience possess, the only cause have at heart
but shall remain with the earmy at all hazards, and
serve wherever am ordered"
Year: 1862

AEHs.-The scarcity Of good muskets and rifles is
'iouSy felt at this time throughout the Confeder-
cy. Perhaps greatest lack to end the war speed
lily, is good fire arms. We are, however, of opinion
that no State feels this want deeply than North
Carolina When we had arms they were generously
distributed to other States, but now that the State
needs them it is difficult to obtain them We under
stand that there persons in the upper counties of
the State buying up all the rifles and other arms
which can be found, to carrt tem out of the State
These persons profess to have commissions from the
Confederate government to purchase arms. Who
has seen their authority? Is Gov. Clark aware Of
this, and is it done by the consent of the author-
ties? If our people have arms to sell, we admonish


them 70 sell only to the proper Agents of this State
The State needs and wants them