smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

The POWER OF HEARTY LAUGHrER.-The
following incident comes to us thoroughly au-
thenticated, although we are not at liberty to
publish any names: A short timo since two
individuals in this city were lying in one room
very sick, one with brain fever and the other
with an aggravated case of mumps. They were
so low that watchers were needed every night,
and II was thought doubtful if the one sick of
the fever recovered. A gentleman was en-
gagged to watch one night, his duty being to
wake the nurse whenever it became necessary
to administer medicine. In the course of the
night both watcher and nurse fell asleep The
man with the mumps lay watching the clock
and saw that it was time to give the fever pa


hent his potion. He was unable to speak loud
or to move any portion of his body except his
arms, but, seizing pillow, he managed to
strike the watcher in the face with it. Thus
suddenly awakened, the watcher sprang from
his seat, falling to the floor and awakening
both the nurse and fever patient. The incl
dent struck both the sick men as very ludi-
crous, and they laughed heartily at it for some
fifteen or twenty minutes. When the doctor
came in the morning he found his patients
vastly improved-said he had never known so
sudden turn for the better-and they are now
both out, we'll. Who says laughing is not the
best Of medicines?-Neto Haven Palladium.
Year: 1861

RATHER RIcH.-The Montgomery (Ala. cor
respondent of the Charleston Courier tells the
following creamy incident:


Quite an amusing incident occurred at the
Theatre last evening. Miss Mitchell was per-
forming the Wept Of the Wish ton Wish, in
one OF the scenes of which it is necessary to
introduce young child. This was accordingly
done, and said infantile production RECALLED the
audience with series Of operatic screams, in
consequence Of which the curtain was dropped
and the audience left in doubt as to whether il
was the child or the actors who failed in their
parts To settle their minds upon this point
and to apologize for the interrur ton, one of
the Indians, clothed with all the toggery of the
savage, but who was evidently a very modest
novice to the stage, came in front of the green
drop and innocently delivered himself Of the
following speech:


"LadteS and Gentlemen We must ask
your indulgence for few moments as the child
we had in the last act disturbed this play, and
we have to delay the second act until we can
get another child.''


1t is needless for me to say that the effect
was terrific.
Year: 1861

A Coon SNAKE SroRY.-A lady of my ac-
quaintsnce once displayed greater presence of
mind than L, with my impulsive, shudderng
terror of the dangerous reptiles could have
supposed possible. She was lying awake one
dark night, aroused, she believed, by a slight
noise in her room, and felt something come
softly on the bed, and pass softly over her feet
1t glided on, and pushed, gently and coidIy,
against her arm, which lay outside the clothes,
across her breast. She then knew the moving
thing was snake, and that to stir was to die
With what wonderful self-command, every
nerve thrilling with horror, she lay perfectly
still, while the reptile endeavored again and
again to nestle itself beneath the warm arm;
failing to do this, it glided slowly on over her
shoulder and the pillow, and thence dropped
on the floor. With one convulsive plunge she
gained the door and called for help; and when
light came, large black snake was found and
killed; but my courageous friend suffered with
i'll health for some time, from the fright of
these few awful moments.-Mrs. Mere1ith's 3
Ocey the Straits.
Year: 1861

THIRST WORSE THAN HUNaER.-The dis
turbance to the general system which is known
by the name of raging thirst is far more terri
BILE than that of starvation, and for this reason:
During the abstinence from food the organism
can still live upon its own substance; but dur
ing, abstinence from liquid the organism has no
such source of supply within itself. Men have
been known to endure absolute privation of
food for some weeks, but three days of absolute
privation Of drink (unless in a moist stmos-
phere) is, perhaps, the limit of endurance.
This is the most atrocious torture ever invented
by oriental tyrants. 1t is that which most eff.
fsctually tames animals Mr.. Easily, when he
had refractory horse, always used thirst as
the most effective power of coercion, giving q
little water as the reward for every act of obe-
dience. The historians Of shipwrecks paint
fearful pictures OF the suffering from thirst and
one Of the most appalling cases known is the
celebrated imprisonment of l46 men in the
Black Hole Of Calcutta.-Bfaekrcood
Year: 1861

THAT TARIFF BLuSDER.-The New York World
says very sharply, and to the point:


We are aware that there are people who take .
high view of the occupation Of legislator and who
think his attention ought te be always the stretch
This is not sornd vieW of human nature, even in
the artificial form Of member Of Congress. The
bow ought not always to be bent; the pilot cannot
always be at the helm; General Qusttlebum cannot
be always in the saddle. sword in hand. Were the
sky always to be bright and dry, We should live
too fast. A little occasional dullness, dampness,
Asccidity, haziness, torpor, dFesminess, between
sleeping and waking. is good for the human consii-
tuition, and helps TO repair tbe waste of activity
Ssmel iHsaaicimos We must be content to re-
lapse now and then iEto that muddy, Shiny, seedy,
fshy state which Biologists tell us our globe has
passed through. As our good old mother earth
must here snd there dip into Saursn life, 30 Con-
gress, We suppose, must sometimes fall back into
the infantile period. But We cant yet make out
what hat..peculiar state Of mind in Congress was
which produosd that vote on the new tariff blI-so
proyokingly, 30 ridieulously out of keeping With
the actual want Of the times. mere sappy state
efthe intellect will not account for itthere is such
curious felicity in the blunder. Congress might
drivel for thousand years and yet fail to do such
another absolutely Eitless thing.
Year: 1861




STOCK GROWING AT THE SOUTH.


The importance Of devoting more attention
than has hitherto been given to this branch
Of husbaDdry in all the Southern states, is
daily becoming more and more apparent.
Intelligent agriculturists at the South are
fully alive to the imperative necessity ol pro-
viding in some way for the renovation Of
soils naturally fertile, but exhausted by long
continued cropping with cotton. or a long
succession Of any kind Of crop. The culture
Of grass and the raising of stock is natures
method ofrenovating tile fields impoverished
by long tlllage. and this mode of treatment
will be found for the most part efficient and
economical. True, guano aud artificial fer
tilzers may be resorted to, but will they
thoroughly renoyate the soill We think it
will hardly be claimed that more can be done
with the aid Of these fertilizers than TO main
tain fruitful soil in its present condition.
Other means must be resorted to, in order to
restore to worn-out lands their lost fertility.
The improvement Of these by growing stock
upon them, instead Of being an item Of ex-
pense, might, in most cases, with proper
management, be made a source Of profit. 1t
Is quite common mistake to suppose that
grasses will not flourish upon good cotton
land. True, the cloyer and herdegrass nt the
Northern and Middle states will not flourish
in climate suited to the growth Of cotton,
but there are other grasses, such as the Ken
lucky blue grass. that will grow on good soil,
and will flourish on such as are rich in lime |;
Colonel Saniord's Wild oat grass, &c, which
will furnish excellent and abundant pasturage
upon great portion OF the exhausted cotton
lands. That sheep. cattle, horses, and mules,
can be proftabIy raised at the South, has
been abundantly shown by a vast number Of
successful experiments, and it IS by many
clsimed that wool can be grown more prof
tably here than in any other section OF the
country.
Year: 1861

THE ULTIMATUM OF SOUTH CAROLINA.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 81, 1851.
Colonel Hayne has been engaged today in preparing
letter to the President in regard to affairs at Charleston
This document will contain the utimatum of South Caro-
lrna which is understood to be the unconditional sur
render Of that fort to the authorities of South Carolina
Colonel H. had been instructed TO make this demand
when he fret arrived here but was dissuaded by leading
Southern men to withdraw it. The demand is now re-
iterated in the most positive terms and will be laid be-
fore the President tomorrow in Colonel Haynes oomnu
nication.


A rumor was very current this evening, that Fort
Sumter had been assaulted and captured by the South
Carolina troops It could be traced to reliable source
News OF such an event however would not any moment
create unusual surprise here. The plan OF attack as
diyulged is to dsmante schooners and convert them
into floats load them with cotton bales, and
the vessels being towed under the walls Of the fort the
cotton bags to be piled one upon another until SUN
Gent height is reached to enable the scaling parties in
muttudes to ascend the walls 1t is believed that the
fort can be taken by this process at less sacrifice Of life
than by any other means.


Tho friends Of the Union are much discouraged by the
news from Pensacola and Charleston. collision Is Inn
pinent, and the fear 1t has already occurred Once
began IL is idle TO talk of compromise Whatever may
have been the criminal folly that prompted the attack
the appalng consequences to precpate at once all
the central sove States into the vortex Of revolution
whatsoever may have been the outrage perpetrated
they can never permit federal troops to avenge the fate
of their comrades without themselves becoming partners
in the melee.


The policy now talked Of among leading Union men is
10 call on the President to cvacuae Fort Sumter and Fort
Pckens, and thus remove all opportunity for the seced
ing States inaugurating civil war; and ca ns of the
central States with them. This course will save the
Unon as is certain that none Of these States car
be voted except by the application OF some such un
natural stimulus as fight at the South between State
and federal troops.


The President is known to be opposed TO the with
drawal Of the troops but the representations that
viii be made to him by many true men at the South
and TO avoid civil war it is thought by many he may bt
induced TO do IL.
Year: 1861

SERIOUS GAS ExfLosioS. -Four mon were
badly burned by a gas explosion in New
York on Tuesday night. They attempted to
enter q room where the gas was ieakihg
With = light, When teffifie explosion took
Blace, shattering the upper part Of the build
ing. 1t is thought two Of the men can not
recover,
Year: 1861

The Subj Treasury act has not been re-
pealed. So much Of it as would have COM
rclicd the subscribers to the new Govern
ment loan to pay the amount Of their
subscriptions into the hands Of the Treas
urer Of the United States or one OF his
subo1dinatcs, has been suspended. Thasl Is
the extent OF the legislation on that sub
ject. We understand that the change on
this point is for the accommodation Of the
public and that it is so restricted that it
caa work no harm. Solyentspecie- paying
banks are used, while the loan is being
raid in, as the place Of deposit; and that
is al the change that has been authorized,
and even that is within the discretion OF
tie Secretary of the Treasury. He may
authorize it or not.
Year: 1861

dwellings have been burned, some cattle and poultry
taken; but these acts have been committed upon
property abandoned by its owners, and supposed to
belong to rebels Onr troops have not despoiled the
property of UniOnsts knowingly, except perhaps, in
the appropriation of fence timber, in few cases OF
absolute necessity. 1t lie true some Unionsts have
suffered, under a misapprehension by our troops of
their sentiments and to such our Government can
hereafter afford to be generous. Some allowance
must be made for military ardor, and while we regret
its effects may we not recognize in it evidence of
spirit which will tell fearfully against our enemies
on the battlefield.


Judge Freese is daily sequestrating the property
of abscondng rebels for the payment Of their debts
to NewYork and Philadelphia merchants, greatly to
the disgust of those who believe that rebellion usti-
fes dishonesty and fraud
Year: 1861

SECRET EXPEDITIONS FOR THE SOUTHERN
CoAsr.-There is no danger to be appre.
hended from the announcement At this time
that at least one expedition has sailed from
Northern ports during the last few days, and
is probably now on its way to the Southern
coast. 1t is known that a mum DER of Steam
ers have lately left this port and that one or
two regiments have mysteriously disap-
peared. We learn that the true object of
General Buffers visit to New England was
to superintend similar embarkation, pos
sibly from Boston, and which may also by
this time be On the high seas to cooperate
with that from this city.


To what extent the squadron lying off
Fortress Monroe may take part in it, we are
not prepared to say at present. IL is suffi-
cient to state that our public servants were
never more actively engaged than they have
been of late, and that General Butler never
acted more adroitly than on the occasion of
his recent visit "to look after domestic
affairs that required his immediate presence"
The ovations which he received on his way
home were not designed as tributes TO over
weening vanity, but concealed a piece OF
genuine Yaskee management. May we soon
hear from this gallant son of old Massachu-
setts.--N Y. Commercial Advertiser, l7h.
Year: 1861

THE MOVEMENT OF TRooPs.-The Wash
ington Star of September ls says;


The New York papers are in error in their
belief that there exists danger that the five
hundred thousand men called for under the
three years volunteer law will not be forth
coming under its provisions. On the con-
trary, volunteering has never gone on more
satisfactory than within the past fortnight,
in all quarters of the loyal States and since
have been in motion on the way to the field
than ever before in the same time indeed,
twice as many. To-day, especially, the mum
Der in motion to join the different Union
columns is enormous. Within the week
ending on Saturday evening next, it will be
safe to say an aggregate of at least thirty
five thousand troops will have Joined the
different columns of the Union armies in the
field. We do not feel at liberty to state
where precisely.
Year: 1861

THREE PERSONS BURNED TO DBATH.-Ars. Mary
Truss aged 50 years, was burned to death IN LIS
cinuati on the 18th by her clothes taking hre at
CRATE On the same day, and in the same city, an
elderly woman and an infant were burned TO death
in like manner, bat it was not asaertained h0H
the accident happened
Year: 1861

As a remedy for this most distressing aud obsti-
nate malady, the VEGETABLE LIFE MEDI-
CINES deserve distinct and emphatic recommen-
datiOn. 1t is well-knOwn to hundreds in this CITY,
that the former proprietor of these valuable med
cines himself afflicted with this complaint for
upwards of thirty five years, and that lie tried in
vain every remedy prescribed within the whole
compass of the HdteriG MedicG.. He, however, at
length tried the medicine which is now offered to
the public and he was cured in very short time,
after his recovery had been pronounced not only
improbable, but absolutely impossible, by any hu-
Year: 1861

SO denominated from their astonishing power of
creating new life and health, it were, from the
very ashes of the most dilapidated constitutions
more strongly tonic and more Immediately in
vigorating than pills; containing the choice
vegetable extracts the latter, in different mod
ihcatiOn. Although really less cethartic than tho
LIFE PILLS. they nevertheless begin to cleanse the
alimentary canal much sooner; generally slightly
operating within three or four hours, and produc-
ing decided sense of relief to the head and stom
ach, and exhilerating the mind even in less time
Year: 1861

THREE STATES THAT WILL FIaHT.-The Banks
in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa are most part
based upon Southern State Stocks The con-
sequence is that their paper is worth only little
more than 80 per cent This makes loss OF
thirty or forty millions to the people of those
States letter from a prominent capitalist
there states that the universal cry among the
capitalists of those States, who have been thus
swindled by their Southern brethren, is that the
question with those States shall never be settled
until these stocks are made good
Year: 1861

SooTrs TAoTos-In commenting upon the
skillful and comprehensive preparations at head
quarters, the New York Commercial Advertiser
says:


"In this systematic, gradual but sure hemming
in of his adversary, the genius of Winfield Scott
shines in its clearest lustre 1t is said that on
one occasion a remark was made to him respect
ing this peculiarity of his strategy, and he play
fully replied When l am going to catch rat, l
always see it that all his holes are first stopped
Year: 1861

SERvILE INsURREomoN.-1he Capital City
Fact, ofColumbus, paper that supported Breck-
inridge for the Presidency, thus speaks of an
insuuection among the slaves as one of the
consequences likely to grow out of the present
rebellion:


"Yet with this mine under their feet the
Southern States are rushing into war the
events of which may place it beyond the power
OF the Government to arrest the bloody and de-
vastating catastrophe of negro insurrection. If
for no other reason, we would pray for peace to
avert the dire calamity. But come il must;
and on the heads of the rebels be the curse 1t
may be that when the insurrection happens
there will be generals and men in our army
generously disposed to turn aside from the duty
before them to suppress the reyolt-but we
don't believe one word of it. If the Southern
rebels have actually inaugurated the irrepres-
sible conflict, and we rghteously believe they
have, the Union will be all the purer for being
purged ofnegrO Slavery,
Year: 1861

Col. Terry has five companies at this place, of well drilled men, with all the necessary equip- ments and means of transportation but no guns If they can get the guns they will immediately march to the field of battle if not, they will necessarily be disbanded. The General Assem- bly, has appropriated the sum of $25 900 to arm the companies now being raised in the State.- It is not only the duty of all patriotic citizens to bring forward any guns they may have in their possession, and deliver them to the sol- diers who wish to fight for the country, but who ever does so will be paid the price of the gun on delivery.

 Bring up your guns. Let every patriot come forward and arm a soldier. Those who cannot 20 to the war themselves should assist those who can. Let US arm the men who are willing to fight. Their services are needed to defend our homes and iresides from the terrible invasion of ruthless foe.

 Col. Terry has men in the adjoining counties authorized to buy up guns. We trust they may succeed. With a generous and patriotic people to call upon, ace kno,c Mry wW
Year: 1861

as follows:

 Ttco dollars per Ganum in specie, or 1tco doiiors and ffly cents in 1'aper money.

 We are forced to this by the great enhance ment in the price of printing paper and the great depreciation in the value of all kinds ot paper money. It is a necessity with us to keep up our paper. Our receipts from job work and advertising having long since almost entirel. ceased-we have to rely solely upon the sub scriptions to the paper to keep 1t agoing. The public printing owing to the reduction in prices made at the last session of the General Assembly, the great increase n the cost oi pa per and labor and the depreciated currency We receive from the treasury, has become an ez- pense to us instead of a profit.

 Under these circumstances we are compelled, when our subscribers pay us in paper money, to demand two dollars and fifty cents as the price of our paper.

 Our club rates will be suspended until after the yar
Year: 1861

Ba Two spoonfuls of finely powdered char coal, drank in half glass of water, will in less than fifteen minutes give relief to the sick head ache, when caused in most cases itis, by a superabundance of acid on the stomach
Year: 1861

Fremont started on his brief campaign with blood thirsty pronunciamento, in which he declared that his opponents would be regarded as rebels. and treated accordingly. By the fol- lowing from the Missouri Democrat of the 12th. it will be seen that before the close of his career in Missouri he recognized the Con- federates as his peers in warfare, and complete ly abandoned the stand point assumed by him. self and his government at the commencement of the war
Year: 1861

The present crisis was essential to
the full perfection of Gen. SCOTS fame.
Had he died a twelvemonth since, his
tory might have classed him as
mere successful soldier. That he will
now 60 down to postcrity with no
name between his and Washington's
is certain. His earl y career was an
unexampled success. Though he was
bred a lawyer and not a soldier, his
first campaign as captain of volun-
teer artillery developed the mettle
that was in him he rose, without
patronage, without friends, without
money. Or favor, from grade to grade,
winning each step with his sword on
the battlefield, until he was q Major
General in the United States Army at
the age of twenty.eight. This was
forty-seven years ago--when few who
read these lines we're born. How hon.
orably and uscfully this long stage of
forty.seven years has been spent by
him in the service of his country, no
history fails to recount. And now
his long career Of greatness is being
fifty closed by the noblest and most
splendid ofhis achievements. Itmust
never be forgotten that when the loyal
people of the nation were sleeping, in
October last, Winfield Scott foresaw
the present war, foretold it to the Bu-
chanan Cabinet, and showed how the
rebellion might be crushed in the bud
by a few very simple precautions. 1t
was not his fault that the hoary imbe-
cilc who then disgraced the Presiden-
tial chair nursed discomfort into re.
bellion, and sedition into open war


But Providence orders all for the best
Year: 1861

Come up to my little chamber, mother,


Come and bless me before | sleep,
lis the last night III be here. you know,


And it will do me good to weep
l have said good-bye to the rest, mother,


have parted with all but you,
And the great hot tears fell thick and fast,


But the words that we spoke were few.
And nv heart aches with the parting, mother


" God bless you" was all that they said,
With quivering lips, and wistful eyes,


As though were already dead.
So come to my little chamber mother,


AS you used to come long ago,
When the twilight shades were gathering,


And the west was all aglow
l want you to pray with me now, mother.


With your arms wound around me tight,
Pray God to protect and keep me safe,


And to make me brave in the fight.
This war is a horrible thing, mother,


| shuddcr to think of it so,
That visions of blood sweep past my brain,


Till my soul seems flooded with woe.
But my country calls for me now, mother,


Ii calls for me almost by name,
Anu Cdifhot stay at nome IN peace,


When her tlag is trlmplcd in shame.
| shall fight to the very death, mother,


For our cause is righteous, know,
shall fight till the Stars aud Stripes once more
Float rs pure and spotlcss as snow.
So pray to God with your whole soul, mother,
As you used in the days gone by
And it will not shame nv manhood now,


If lean on your breast and cry
Ii l come back TO you again. mother,


You II be glad | went to the fight,
For yictor's crown upon my brow,


Will answer your prayer tonight.
If fall on the field of battle, mother,


You will know that | died for the right,
And your heart will be glad while you weep,
When you think OF our goodbye, tonight.
Now here in my little chamber, mother,


With my head pillowed ON your breast,
I'll whisper my last goodbye to you,


Aud prayerfully go to my rest.
I'm off with the early sunrise, mother,


l shall leave you all asleep
There are stirring times ahead for us all,


have no more time to weep.