smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

The building of the second raft pro-
gressed but, although everything was
done to hasten it, darkness found it un-
finished, and the crowd unwillingly dis
persed for the night. The Omniscient
alone can tell how thatpoor, forlorn soul
passed the dark, dreary hours that in
tervened before morning-sleepless from
necessity-weary, lonely, with the waters
raging like unclaimed beasts all around
him, and the great abyss of terror yawn-
ing almost at his feet Some sweet hope
must have sustained him in that trying
time, or the morning would have found
him dead there upon the rock of his
dreadful exile.


Daylight came, and with it the eager
crowds fastened back to their points of
sight. The incoming trains all that day
brought more and more spectators, and
before noon the bridge was literally
crowded with them, leaving but small
space in the centre for the workmen with
the raft and on either side the bank
was lined-nay, packed-with spectators.
There were thousands upon thousands
present, all eager, curious and yet SYM
pathetic. Avery appeared as on the day
before, still hopeful, eating and drinking
what was sent down to him, motioning
with his hands and arms, and watching
all that was done on the bridge and the
shore.


The crisis of the excitement arrived
when, about the middle of the second
day, the second raft was launched from
the bridge upon the hurrying food.
Strong and willing hands held the ropes,
and it was cautiously lowered until it al
most touched.the spot where the castaway
stood. With bound he placed himself
erect on the raft /; and then arose such a
shout of rejoicing from the lips of that
multitude that it was heard even above
the roaring of the waters.


1t was a short-lived joy. The ropes
were manned by all the hands that could
find place, and the raft struggled up
little way in the teeth of the rapids, and
then furious volume of water broke
over and upon it, washing it from end TO
end, and hurling Avery bodily into the
rapids One faint, desperate hope re-
manned to him as the irresistible cur
rent hurried him down he might, by stout
swimming, make the shore of Chapin's
Island, some rods below, and to the west
of him. 1t was a furious, terrible strug-
gle for life and while the multitude held
their breath and looked on, it seemed at
first as though the man might still have
himself He almost reached the shore
of the little island but he never gained
it. Some said that the bush upon which
he laid his hand broke in his grasp,
others thought that his strength left him
when few more strokes would have
saved him. He yielded himself to the
fury of the rapids, and an instant later
his body was hurled over the fatal abyss,
amid the shudders and groans or the
heart-sick spectators.


Those who were nearest the spot where
he went over were certain that his dy-
ing shrek, full Of the horror of despair,
articulated the name Mary Frank
lin Fits, in Packards Monthly, for Sept
ember.
Year: 1869

A six-year-old boy was asked by his
teacher ty write composition on the
subject of water, and the following is the
production "Water is good to drink, to
swim in. and to skate on while frozen.
When l was a little baby, the nurse used
to bathe me every morning in water. I
have been told that the Injuns don't
wash themselves, but once in ten years.
/ wish was an Injun
Year: 1869

Whether in tho young or old married or sin.
gle, at the dawn Of wOmanhood, or the turn Of
life, these tonic medicine display 60 decided an
influence that marked improvement is coon
perceptible In the health Of the patient. Being
purely vegetable preparation, they are a safe and
reliable remedy for all classes Of Females in ev-
cry condition Of health and station of life.
Year: 1869

OCCIDENTAL HoTEL,1


SAN FRANCISCO, November -, 1869.


There is no change in the weather, the
thermometer having stood during the whole
week at 80 in the shade, with clear sky
and q warm sunshine. The telegraph brings
us daily accounts Of heavy snow-storms ut
the North, which seem most strange to us,
who are here enjoying the brightest OF June
weather. \ snow-storm here would be Il
curiosity to the children, who have not the
slightest idea of anything of the kind. They
sometimes see snow on the top OF Mount
Diabolo. twenty miles distant, but that is
about the closest view they have ever had
of the reality.


What seems to most astonish the visitors
here from the North is that they had never
hitherto had any conception Of the differ
ence between the climate Of California and
that of western, northern, and eastern
States. Californians have claimed supc-
ror climate for all agricultural purposes,
but they have never gone into particulars
to show wherein the difference existed.
They have never told us that ourWinter was
their summer, and our summer the only
season in which they were ever even slightly
cold. They had never told us that they
only used coal and wood for cooking and
manufacturing purposes, and that many
Of their houses are built without CHM
ncys, except for the kitchen. They
had never told lis that whilst we were
delugcd with snow and ice they were luXn-
riatiug in green fields, and that their grain
was ripening for the sickle. They never
told us that our winter was their season for
buds and flowers, and the most luXlriant
foliage to their trees and shrubbery. In
short, we came here fearing that it was too
late in the season TO sec California to the
best advantage, or to judge Of its boasted
superiority Of climate over the rest of crea-
ton. But we find that We have come here
just when we should have come TO judge of
the vast difference and to enjoy the spring
time OF the season. Californians, however,
tell us that January and February are the
most glorious months Of the year, and, to
judge it properly, we should spend the sea-
hHra
Year: 1869

THE BOARD or TRADE BALL-The ar
ran2ements for the chop" to be given to-
night ut the Exchange Hotel in compliment
to the visiting members of the National
Board of Trade and their families are most
complete. and it will, in all probability,
prove IL most brilliant success. The dancing
will commence ut 8 O'Clock. Invitations
must be exhibited at the door.
Year: 1869

CoScERT.-A vocal and instrumental con-
cert will be given at Leieh-Street Baptist
church, commencing at O'Clock this eve
ming. The programme is very excellent
one, and among the performers are some of
the best singers in the city. The proceeds
of the concert are to be devoted to the sup
port of orphan children connected with the
church
Year: 1869

MECHANICS INsTITuTE.-Somc Of our en-
terprising citizens. who saw the benefits de-
rived from the Mechanics Institute before
the war, and feel its loss since its destruc-
ton, are anxious for its revival with as
little delay as possible. Unfortunately, the
elegant building OH Ninth street, with all its
was destroyed by the terrible conflagration
of the Sd Of April, 1865, and the present
projectors will have to commence DE nouo.
The night schools and the annual fairs OF
the Institute did much to improve the ap-
prentices. and bring into notice the mechan-
ism of the city and adjacent country. The
ladies, too, were its warm advocates, thou
ands of them being annual contributors to
the fairs and we are quite sure they would
gladly aid in rcviving it, but VIC fear our
people are too poor for such IN enterprise
at present, and that the young mechanics
who need instruction will have to rely on
free schools and their own energies for
what the Mechanics Institute was designed
to furnish.
Year: 1869

The STATES ATTONEYSHIP.-Th Sussex
journal states that the term of Jacob Moore
Esq, as Attorney General of the State. i
about drawing to a close. The next term Of
Gourt will be the last at which he will oficiate
The position is an appointment in the Gift OF
the Governor, and OF course Democrat will
succeed the Colonel We suppose the g slate
has been made out but we don't know whose
name is on it. The paper above quoted Dem
ooeratic) pays the highest compliment to Col.
Moore, as an officer and a gentleman.
Year: 1869

1t is impossible for us to get in all the mat
ter we have in hand this week. We are COM
pelled to omit some advertisements for week
and make up the time by an additional inser-
tion
Year: 1869

There Is no city in the United States of even
twenty thousand population that is so deficient
in some things as this great metropolis with
its million of inhabitants. Take, for example.
our miserable markets, the like Of which do
not exist in any town or village from Maine to
the Gulf of Mexico. Then our docks and piers
are all tumbling to pieces. They are public
disgraces, ruinous to the interests of our ship
ping, and continually involving the city In ex
pense for damages done to horses and wagons
by falling through their rickety floors. But the
greatest abomination of all is the old shanty
Not only Is 1t unsuited for the purpose by size
and construction, but it is actually falling into
such state of ruin and decay that the business
of the foreign mail department cannot be con-
Quoted in consequence Of falling ceilings and
the unlimited visits Of the rain which comes
through the roof, to the great possible damage
of the valuable mail matter. Besides this q
portion of the Post Office business, we believe,
has to be done somewhere outside the build
ing for want Of room.


This is q scandalous condition Of things.
We have now Q new Postmaster aud should
have q new Post Office. What is the CON-
mittee doing who were appointed to. select o
site for the new building2 The Late Legis-
latufe empowered them To change the original
site 10 q higher place In the Park-a very
necessary measure, because the spot chosen
for the Post Office was about tho most incon-
venient and impractioable for the business in
the city. A meeting Of the citizens should be
held TO stir up this committee and ascertain
what they are about
Year: 1869

EXCISE LIoENsEs.-We believe that the
committee of the Excise Board appointed to
report upon the question of moderating the
price of licenses are prepared to make their
report tomorrow. We hope that they will
recommend reduction, because that course
would seem to be in accordance with the
popular wish. Under the old Board the issue
of licenses was made political questions but
that difficulty is removed as the Board is con-
stituted now, and there appears to be no good
reason why tho maximum rate Of two hundred
and fifty dollars should be adhered to. Al
though the bill to amend the Excise law failed
in the Legislature, the existing law permits the
Board to use their discretion in fixing tho
price of license at any sum between thirty
and two hundred and fifty dollars.
Year: 1869

informed from Washington that the monthly
statement of the public debt for May will show
a decrease of seven millions. At this rate,
with little help in the way of retnenchment
in expenditure and in the collection Of the
revenue, external and internal, we may rea-
sonably expect reduction of hundred mil
liors for the ensuing year, and with little
more help from Congress it may be made q
hundred millions or more, with considerable
reduction of our internal revenue. taxation,
and we may thus exhibit to the world the
splendid example of the payment Of a great
debt and the reduction of the taxes at the same
time. 1t can be done, and the country ex-
pecta IT,
Year: 1869




And they will contest it over the splitting
of hair of doctrine till Gabriel snaps his
resurrection gum" We do not, therefore, ex-
pect for day or two Presby yIerian Church
reunion North and South; for the evident
hankering of the Northern brethren for South
ern Church rule and property involves some
thing more than mere abstraction after ALL
The same embarrassment impedes the reunion
of the Methodists but on Church doctrines,
North and South, their general belief is sim
pie and easy to harmonize. Hence their tre-
mendous success, North and South, among the
masses Of the people who have neither taste
nor time for those microscopical distractions
which are the salvation of the Presbyterian.


The Catholics North and South, before the
war and during the war, got on harmoniously,
because they did not undertake to mix up
American politics with their religion. Thus,
having suffered no divisions on slavery, they
need no reunion with the abolition of slavery.
On the Protestant side, from the Episcopalian
tract societies down even to the Quakers,
they 80 mixed up politics and religion on the
slavery question that hardly sect among
them can now tell how their divisions began
or how to mend them. We can only say to
them in the name of common sense and the
Sermon on the Mount, let bygones be bygones,
and "let us have peace"
Year: 1869




For years previous to our late war the
South was somewhat famous for its sO-called
commercial conventions; but whatever was
the ostensible pretext for calling these con-
ventions, they invariably ran into interminable
discussions of State rights, negro slavery and
all sorts Of political questions. None of, them
ever succeeded in exercising any appreciable
influence on the commerce or industry of the
nation. The vast change which the war has
wrought is manifest in the proceedings of the
Memphis Commercial Convention, which ad-
journed sine die last Saturday. This Conven-
tion had fine open field and vigorously
entered it. Railways, bridges, levees, emil
grafton and variety of kindred topics of a
practical character were seriously deliberated
and acted upon, and on the day of its adjourn
ment it adopted a resolution requesting Con-
gress to put the telegraph system of the coun
try under the control of the Postmaster Gene
raj. In passing this most important resolution
the Memphis Commercial Convention bore
witness to the growing public sentiment in
favor of the uniform telegraphic system, which
has already been adopted with the happiest
results in several European countries. If the
sentiment of the people on this point shall find
EXPIRE ssion in all similar conventions through
out the United States it cannot be long before
Congress will be induced to yield to it and to
inaugurate reform which is equally neces-
sary, Just and advantageous.
Year: 1869

When the Health Onlcer boards unhealthy
vessels from sickly ports, for the purpose of
collecting marine news and taking out pack
ages to bo despatched to the city, does ho not
Violate the quarantine laws and endanger the
health of the cityr And is he not liable TO
arrest for 30 doing2
Year: 1869

JUSTICE TO BE APPLIED FoE-We under
stand that a movement is being made among
the merchants and ship owners, who are fellow
citizens OF Governor Hoffman, towards seek
ing the interference of the Executive in their
behalf, and to ask to be relieved from the
extortions Of the Health Officer. In plain
words, they will petition for the removal Of
DR. SWinhurne.
Year: 1869

| The Presbyterian Asyemblies, Old School


and New School, still in session in this city,


have for some days past been earnestly


engaged in the work Of reconstruction and


reunion of their divided Churches, North and
South. The Methodists, North side and South


side, have been moving in the same direction.


The Baptists, hardshell and softshell, likewise.


The Protestant Episcopalians on slavery were


not much broken up, though somewhat


demoralized, before the war; but during the


war, on the South side of Mason and Dixon, in


their Sunday morning prayers, it was "biess


Thy servant the President of the Confederate


States, while on the North side it was "Bless
Thy servant, the President of the United
States" The last official Episcopal prayer for
JEFF Davis was on the morning of that April
Sunday in Richmond, from the service of
which he was called by a card from General
Leo. announcing that he was compelled, bag
and baggage, scrip and scrippage, to leave
town forthwith. With the abolition Of the
president of the Confederate States" the
difficulty of a reunion between the Episco-
palians North and South ceased to exist, and
under the benign reconstruction policy of Andy
johnson they all were soon reunited in the
loyal prayer for ''Thy servant, the President
of the United States On the ritual, how
ever, and church ornaments they are
threatened now with serious mutinies and
desertions to the Holy Father of Rome and
Mother Church, and 80 they may need great
deal of reconstruction yet before they can be
harmonized on the same platform.


John G. Calhoun, in his last speech in the
United States Senate Q85O), spoke Of the
divisions Of the Protestant Churches, North
and South, on the slavery question as the
breaking of so many of the cords needed to
hold the Union together. He was right, and
it will be conceded by the brethren Of these
Churches, North and South, that in the war
they fought it out on the almighty nigger.
Now, slavery being out of the way and tho
niger being lifted up to the doctrine of
equality outside, one would think the reunion
of the Churches split up on Uncle Tom a very
easy matter But we see from the profound
pettifogging in these Presbyterian Assemblies
that questions of Church rule and Church pro-
perty South or the almighty dollar" have
taken the place Of the Everlasting nigger,'
and that the settlement of these matters re-
quirss much prayer and deliberation, and more
in the way of concessions touching Church
distractions than Presbyterians are in the
habit of making In their theological chop
logic these Presbyterian expounders Old
School and New School
Year: 1869

| striven to perform faithfully every
| duty; and that, devoted, as all know,
to principles that have deemed cor


rect, the honor and glory of our country


have always been paramount above


mere party ties, can cOnScIent1Ously y


assert and that have sought to miti-
gate rather than to intensity the asper-
tiles which the collision of opposing
parties so often involved, must be left
to my fellow members to verify. In
the responsible duties of the last six
years have endeavOred to administer
the rules you have enacted for your
guidance, both in letter and spirit, with
an impartiaIity uninfiuenced by -pol1t1-
cal antagonism; and may be pardon
ed for the expression of my grat1hca-
tion that while no decision has been re-
versed, there has been an appeal some
times taken, as they are by a minority,
as protest against the power under
the rules of a majority, which has over
been decided by strictly party vote.
If, in the quickness with which a pre-
siding officer here is often compelled to
rule hour after hour on parliamentary
points, and in the performance of his
duty to protect all members in their
rights, to advance the progress of bust
ness, and to preserve order, any word
has fallen from my lips that has justly
wounded any one, I desire to withdraw
it unreservedly. I leave this room





member with whom I have been asso-
ciated in all the years of the past,
having earnestly tried to practice that
lesson of life which commands us to
write our enmities in the sand, but to
engrave our friendship on the granite.


But the last word cannot longer be
delayed. bid farewell to the faithful
and confding constituency, whose af-
fectiOnate regard has sustained and
encompassed me through ali the years
of my public life. Farewell to the
Hall, which, in it's exeitements and
restless activities, so often seemed to
represent the throbbings and the in
tense feelings of the national heart
and finally, felloW-members and
friends, with sincere gratitude for the
generous support you have always
given me in the difficult and complex
duties of the chair, and with the warm
est wishes for your health, happiness
and prosperity, one and all, I bid you
farewell.
Year: 1869

How often on the long summer day,
the little child grows weary Of its toys,
and turns to its mother for rest. Some
times the shadows are 1engthening !;
oftentimes the sun has not reached its
MONDAY splendOr. But it matters not;
the tired child wants rest. And what
are we all, but children of n larger
growth Who is there at some time
does not weary of the way and long for
rest? ? The aged one, who has travelled
over life's stony and thorn-strewed
pathway until the shadows have grown
so long they extend almost beyond the
reach Of his dimmed visionl how like
a tired child he sinks down, wishing for
rest, weary of earth and all its pleas
ures, which, to his old age, seem only
as a child's toys to the mature man.


Often, too, those whose lives have
been saddened and embittered by the
trials Of earth, grow weary, even before
they reach the meridian of life, and long
for better, moro abiding rest. Earth
" pleasures have pallid upon their
senses, and like the fruit of the region
of the Dead Sea, have turned to ashes
on their lips and as the child, grown
weary of its sports, throws himself
down to rest, wishing he was q man, so
they turn their hearts from earth with
a longing for something which will not
perish in the using. Too often, alas
they know not how to satisfy these inn
mortal cravings of their natures. They
turn again to feed on husks, regardless
Of the bread of Heaven, which alone
will quell these hungerings, and
awaken hope of rest above "a rest
whose blessedness is Unbroken by sOr-
row or pain.


The weary Christian is In truth Gods
own tired child, and for rest and COM
fort he may turn to One whose love ex-
ceeds the mothers love. Even though
she may forget her Offspring, God Will
not forget Ills weary ones, but Ia ms
own good time will give them rest.
What sweeter word is there than that
-restl How full of meaning And
yet one must grow weary before he can
realize all its fullness If there are
sweeter words they must be Jesus and
Heaven; but, are not these synony-
nous to the child of God, who looks
forward with deep and heartfelt long
ings to the rest that ''remaineth ?'' 1t
is indeed meet that we should lOok be-
yond these earthly toys, and weary of
them - that we should seek and realize
the comforts in the words, '' will give
you rest"
Year: 1869

s'If you must get drunk, my good fell
low" once remarked Tom COrwin to an
inebriate youth, "be careful to do so on
good whisky and among gentlemen.
In this way you will escape. headache
In the days when the whisky tax and
whisky frauds were both unknown /;
when the pure "corn juice" innocent
of fusil oil and tannin, was plenty and
cheap in the land.
Year: 1869

We swung at anchor, where the wave


Showed great sea-banners far below;
The waters rippled up to lave


Her hand, that with its bracelets glow
Hung toying with the trembling tide,


That 1oyed to kiss so fair wrist;
In the dim distance waste and wide,


The white sails glimmered through thS


mist.


There was silence on the sea,


A silence that would not break
So sweet that cen 1t seemed to me


To float, and for my lady's sake
To weave my fancies into rhyme,


That she would praise some happy day;
For then no fateful after-time


Had come to sweep my dreams away.
'Twere well it had been but dream.


And yet trusted in her truth;
Her soft eyes had an evil gleam


That slew me, and she knew no ruth.
And still the white sails pass the shore,
And melt into the purple air;
But she viii watch them never more,
AS faithlesS as her face was fair.
Year: 1869

A Michigan farmer expresses the
opinion that to insure the destruction
of bushes the time is when there is no
frost in the ground ; and the manner of
doing il is to take them out, root aud
branch. II large, cut or grub about
them some, and a Team will bring them
out, and the work is complete. II will
pay in the end.