smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1868

Here is something simple, scientific
and sensible, which correspondent fur
nishes an agricultural paper. He says: ::
"Cover a common barrel with stiff, stout
paper, tying the edge around the barrel; /;
place board so that the rats may have
easy access to the top; sprinkle cheese
parings or other feed for the rats on the
paper for several days, until they begin
to believe that they have right to their
daily rations from this source. Then
place in the bottom of The barrel piece
of rock about six or seven inches high,
filling with water until only enough oft
projects above the water for one rat to
lodge upon, Now replace the paper,
first cutting cross in the middle, and
the first rat that comes on the barrel top
goes through into the water and climbs
on the rock. The paper comes back to
its place, and the second rat follows the
first. Then begins a fight for the pos
session of the dry place. on the stone, the
notice of which attracts the rest, who
share the same fate."' 81.
Year: 1868

It is trite saying-"when a woman
will, she will, and when she won't, she
won't;" and if she takes dislike to
person of the masculine persuasion, as
well might the latter expect the sun to
stand still at his bidding, as to hope to
win the favor of the feminine. A case
of unrequited love is developing itself in
this city, and what will be the result it
issdifficult to divine, more than this, that
the lady in this case has made up her
mind not to marry-to doom poor fell
low to travel Jordan's hard road alone.


And why this is the case is problem
that neither the friends of the loving or
the loved are able to solve. The gentle
man was very attentive to the fair one;
three times he popped the question"
twice he was ordered to leave the house
"a very prompt refusal-and once, in
addition to an emphatic No, he was
treated to basin of water which had
been in the vicinity of stove until the
temperature of the fluid was about 13O
Fahrenheit.


The intensity of the young mans af-
fection was not diminished by the wa
tery rejection, neither was his ardor
"cooled;" he pressed his suit and the
hard hearted maiden refused to see him
more. The young man left the city;
perhaps he had made up his mind to de-
troy a life that was useless SO long as it
could not secure the object of its devo-
tion; perhaps other matters called him
from the city; at all events, he disap-
peared, but that circumstance did not
change the feelings of the lady towards
him. Little did she care, cruel one,
what became of her suitor. A short
time elapsed, when she received note
from the young man, in which he in
formed her that he would be in Toledo
Year: 1868

Has she call to be wife who thinks
more of her silk dress than of her chill
dren, and visits her nursery no oftener
than once day


Has woman call to be wife who
spends her time in reading the "latest
novels" compelling her husband, with a
depleted purse, to hire domestic to
supply her lack of service?


Has that woman a call to be a wife
who cries for cashmere or camel's hair
shawl when her husbands notes are pro-
tested2 -s


Has that woman call to be wife
who expects her husband to swallow di-
luted coffee, soggy bread, smoky tea,
and watery potatoes, six days out of
seven?


Has she call to be wife who firts
with every man she meets, and reserves
the frowns for the home freside?


Has she call to be wife who comes
down to breakfast in abominable curl
papers, a soiled dressing-gown, and
shoes down at the heel2


Has she call to be wife who bores
her husband when he comes into the
house with the history of broken tea
cup, or the possible whereabouts of a
missing broom-handle ?


Has she call to be wife whose hus-
bands love weighs naught in the balance
with her next door neighbor's damask
curtain or velvet carpet


Has she call to be wife who would
take advantage of moment of conjugal
weakness to extort money or exact a
promise


Has she call to be wife who takes
ajourney for pleasure, leaving her hus-
band to toll in close Office, and "have
an eye," when at home, to her servants ?


Has she callto be wife to whom a
husbands society is not the greatest of
earthly blessings?


Has she call to be wife who listens
to outside ISLANDERS against her husband?
Year: 1868




"The Press of the North was the
next toast, and a gentleman from Al
bany responded. The distance to Albany
is not great, but it was thought essential
to have the press responded to accord
ing to the cardinal points fthe compass.
The gentleman from the north spoke
with great vehemence of tone and ex-
citement of manner. His voice was
formidable, and his. gesticuIation
violent. He was somewhat embar-
rassed withal, and this was by no
means modified by few of the company
who cheered ironically at inoportune mo-
ments, and made aggravating sugges-
tions. in a tone that was not conciliatory
or reassuring. The wine was working
wonders. al


The climax of the speech was faint
eulogy of Dickens and Greeley, both of
whom were commended as the friends of
humanity, and the suggestion was made
that it was proud moment to see them
sitting together in good fellowship, and
that no doubt while each was doing his
appointed work there had been a cord of
sympathy between them pulsating
through the mighty ocean, something
after the manner of the Atlantic cable.
This was delivered with all the vim and
volubility of first class eloquence, and
was rendered very amusing to those who
had the opportunity of seeing that one
of the subjects of eulogy, Mr.. Horace
Greeley,was beautifully asleep. 1t was
high joke to see Horace resting his
cheek upon his hand and slumbering
like infancy, while the editor of the
north lavished resounding compliments
upon him. 1t should be mentioned that
it is one of Mr.. .Greeley's habits to take
cat-naps, no matter where he is or how
he may be situated. The voice of the
orator was to him like the waters of a
cascade, and he slept like lamb.
Year: 1868

THE CHEAPEST BOOK EVER PUBLISHED.
Containing nearly THREE HUNDRED PAGES and 100 nns


plates and engTavinys OF the
Anatomy Of the Human Organs OF health
with treatise Early Errors its DepOrahlo
upon the Mind AMI Body with the Authors Plan Treatment
only rational and successful mode Of shown y
the report Of treated truthful adviser to the married
and those contemplating marriage who doubts
thei: physical Sent free OF postage address,
receipt O twenty i've cents in stamps postal
dressing DR. LA CROiN No 81 Maiden Lane Albany n Y
The author may be consulted any
which his book treats either personally mail
sent to part of the world
Year: 1868

Let shadow darken above the fair fame of
a woman-it may be light, even trlfling yet
some there are who will believe it; lying lips
will repeat, and the envious will talk about
what they Thought before all Of this came
out Woman is spoken Of as ministering
angel to man; so she is, but alas, for erring
woman Who, among her former companions,
will cheer her wounded spirit with smile Of
pity, and the sweet soft whisper Of 'sGo and
sin no more?" Are we pure, arc we holy P
All, no remember him who bled on Calvary,
around whom the ,glory-light. was shining.


A guieless girl lured by fair promlses--and
pleading in behalf of her lover, listens believes
and falls. IF angels weep when mortal falls,
surely tears of blood might well be shed above
fate like this; she is hurried from the pin
nacle of purity, and dashed among the swine
of society; others accelerate her fall, and her
own weeping eyes are turned to the memory OF
her innocent days. Tears of repentance are
pure from any eyes; but let her meet one with
whom she associated in those early days. Lo
she 'spasses by on the other side, and only
looks to see if the shame brand that touched
her character is not blazoned on her brow. Her
gaudy robes are the winding-sheet of dishonor,
and their price is her souls sacrifice Alas,
poor, wounded doe in the great forest of the
WOfid so Mahy cIuei Auhaeio urlVe Inee out
from the green pastures of repentance; and
even shouldst thou there lie down, who will
bind up the bruised heart that unkindness hath
well nigh broken!


I do not say that fallen woman should be
restored to her former place in society; but can
we not pity even while we condemn? When a
shadow darkens above the fair fame of anoth-
er, listen long and weigh we'll the matter, ere
condemnation leave thy tongue. With many,
honor is their all that gone, life is worthless,
for what is more CALLING to a proud woman
than suspicion, for it is associated with life
alone? When we pass through the dark val
ley, and the great day of reckoning comes, He
who sits in judgement there is an impartial
Judge, and seeth not as man and many who
wear the mantle of chastity and the cloak Of
religion. will be weighed in the balance and
found wanting
Year: 1868

Z N The circulation of the ssSpEcrAToRn
is about as great as the combined circula-
tion of both the other papers published in
this place, and has as many subscribers in


this county alone as are contained in the


whole list of either of the other papers. y
Year: 1868

WoMAN.-An exquisite writer beautifully
says AS dove will clasp its wings to its sides,
and cover and conceal the arrow preying upon
its vitals, so it is the nature of woman to hide
from the world the pangs of wounded affec-
ton. With her the desire of her heart has fail
ed. The great charm of existence is at an end
She neglects all the, cheerful exercise that glad
dens the spirit, quickens the pulse, and sends
the tide of life in cheerful currents through the
veins. Her rest is broken, the sweet refresh-
ments of sleep are poisoned by melancholy
dreams, dry sorrow drinks her blood, until her
feeble frame sinks under the least external as
sailant. Look for her after a little and you will
find friendship weeping over her untimely grave,
and wondering that one who SO lately glowed
with all the radiance of health and beauty,
should now be brought to darkness and the
worm You will be told of some wintry chilli
some slight indisposition that laid her low, but
no one knows the mental malady that had pre-
viously sapped her strength, and made her so
easy prey to the spoiler.
Year: 1868

they have their proper place in every household.
If they furnish to the young imaginary play
fellows, if they help older people to forget the
cares of the present and soften the austerities
of this hard world life; if, above all, they can
be made morally significant, let US not contemn
them as unworthy of our regard. Frolicsome
kittens, sweet-singing birds, brave old dogs
and shall we not add merry-hearted children
have frightened and gladdened and sweetened
this world to many
Year: 1868

There are fierce times ahead-or a Democratic
victory. One or the other seems to be certain !;
for if the southern State vote for Seymour, his
election is rendered unavoidable; while if the
Radicals impeach johnson, turn him out of of
fee, and compel those States to vote for Grant,
there must surely be trouble in the North un-
less the people there are fit only to be slaves. =
We of course are powerless, and have nothing
to do but look on.


Virginia must act with extreme caution and
circumspection in these troublous times. She
should furnish the Radicals with no plausible
pretext for ''reconstructing' her by force and
counting her vote for Grant.
Year: 1868

KIssING-We are in favor of certain a.
mount of shyness when kiss is proposed. but
it should not be too long, and when the tair
one gives it, it should be administered with
warmth and energy, and her whole soul should
be in it. If she closes her eyes and sighs i'm
mediately after it, the effect is much greater.
livered. We have the memory of one received
long years ago, 1--WE will not tell how many
which fingers by us yet, and we are certain will
be one of the last things we shall think of when
life's tide is ebbing fast, and the glorious beau
ties of this neither world are about forever tc
fade from our dimming vision.
Year: 1868

A STORM oFTHoUGHT. First great thought
comes into the bosom, that God is good-good
to me and mine then, the thought comes that
he is purity itself-has head like the spotless
wool, and the driven snow; then, that he is
mindful of all mankind, and pours blessings
even into the lap OF the unmindful then that
his judgements and apparent seventies are the
greatest possible mercies, and will so appear
when the vail of earth is rent asunder then,
that great and good Being is like an immense
fountain located in the center of the moral and
mutual world, over whose broad surface no hu
man eye, aided by the inventions of art, has
power to travel-a gushing spring rolling sea
of glass and waves esofcrystal-throb of after throb
to the remotest bounds the uniyerse-gush-
ing out in music and rolling away like the cloudy
and foaming cataracts beyond the storm melt
ed mountains. Thicker and thicker shoots into
my soul grand and illimitable thoughts of God
My bosom swells with immortals afflatus, and
[ wish | was spirit in Heaven. r.


THE CHARITY THAT CovERETH. Dear
moss !" said the old thatch, II am so worn, so
patched, so ragged really, | am quite insight
ly | wish you would come and cheer ME a lit
tie you will hide all my infrmities and defects
and, through your loving sympathy, no finger
of contempt or dislike will be pointed at me-.


Il come u said the moss; and it crept up
and around, and in and out, till every flaw was
hidden and all was smooth and fair. Presently
the sun shone out, and the old thatch looked
gloriously in the golden rays.


''How beautiful the thatch looks!' cried
one. 5,e


"How beautiful the thatch ooksI' cried
another.


''Ah !" cried the old thatch, rather let them
say how beautiful is the loving MOSS that spends
itself covering all my faults, keeping the knowl-
edge of them all to herself, and by her own
grace making my age and poverty wear the garb
of youth and luxuriance.
Year: 1868

A wealthy man was one day so much amused
by the wit of his foolish attendant, that he gave
him his cane, but told him that whenever he
should meet greater fool than he to re-
turn the cane In process of time, the rich man
neared his DEATH Sending for this fool, he
bade him farewell.


where are you going?" asked the fool.


''To another world.


when will you return p


"Oh, never"


,''Have you made preparation for this jour
ney?" sn =.


''Alas have not ~


''Then master, take back your cane never
could there be a folly so great as that. u


IF you love, love more. If you hate, hate
less. Life is too short to spend In hating any
one. Why war against mortal who is going
the same road with you? Why not expand the
flower of life and happiness by learning to love?
Your hands may be hard, but your heart need
not be- Your form may be bent or ugly, but
do you not know that the most beautiful flowers
often grow in the most rugged, unsheltered
places? The palace may be palace of care,
the cottage the home of love. Not that there
is no love in the mansion, but somehow, if we
are not very careful business will crowd all there
is Of beauty out of the heart. This is why God
has given us Sabbaths and Saturday nights,
that we may leave business in the office and
have heart-cleaning.
Year: 1868

under the home roof, there was hurry
and hustle in preparation for the final
rites. Friends arc sent for, neighbors
are present, the funeral arrangements
are discussed, the mourning procured,
the hospitalities of the house provided
for; all is excitement; the loss is not
yet perceived in all it's greatness. But
'tafter the funeral''--after the hustle
has subsidized and things begin to move
on as usual, then it is we begin to know
what has befallen us. The house seems
still and sepulchral, though in the heart
of the city; and though its thre shold be
trodden by friendly feet, it is as il emp
ty. The apartments; how deserted
especially the room where he surren-
dered in the last conflict. There are
his clothes. there are his books, there
his hat and cane, there his ever vacant
seat at the family board. During his
sickness, we had not so much noticed
these things, for we hoped ever that he
might use or occupy them again. But





ceive the dreadful vacuity everywhere.
Oh how dark and cherries the night
shadows come down after the funeral
No moon or stars ever shown so dimly;
no darkness ever seemed so dark. The
ticklings of the clock reseund like bell
strokes all over the house. No foot
step now on the stairs or overhead in
the sick chamber; no nurse or watchers
to come and say, she is not so well,"
and ask for you. No indeed, you may
"'sleep on now and take your rest if
you can. Ah, poor hearts 1t will be
long before the sweet rest you once
know will revisit your couch. Slumber
will bring again the scenes through
which you have just passed, and you
will start from it but to find them all
too real. God pity the mourner latter
the funeral"
Year: 1868

We have never read any thing more
beautiful than the following from the
pen of Mr.. Geo. d. Prentice


"There is but a breath of air and a
beat of the heart betwixt this world and
the next. And in the brief interval of
painful and awful suspense, while we
feel that death is present with us, that
We are powerless, and he all-powerful
and the faint putsations here is but the
prelude OF endless life hereafter, we
feeiin the midst of the stunning calami-
ty about to befall us, that the earth has
no compensating good totmitigate the
severity of our loss. But there is no
grief without some beniiicent provision
to soften its intenseness. When the
good and lovely die the memory of their
good deeds, like the moon beams on
the stormy sea, light up our darkened
hearts and lends to the surrounding
gloom beauty so sad, so sweet, that
we would not, five could, dispel the
darkness that environs it"
Year: 1868

There is point in the following an
ecdotc: A person was making call
upon an old lady, who made it an habi-
tual rule never to speak i'll of another,
and had observed it so closely that she
always justified those whom she heard
evil spoken of. Before the old lady
made her appearance in the parlor, her
several children were speaking OF this
popularity of their mother. and one of
them playfully said: Mother has such
a habit of speaking well of everybody,
that do believe if Satan himself were
the subject of conversation, mother
would find out some virtue or good
quality even in him." OF course this
remark elected some smiling and mer-
riment at the originality of the idea, in
the midst of which the old lady entered
the room, and on being told what had
just been said, she Immediately and
involuntarily replied "Well, my chill
dren, wish we all had Satan's indus
try and perseverance," ..
Year: 1868

Elevated portions of meadows and
pastures, knobs especially, are usually
less productive than the low ground,
ana frequently the soil there is very
thin and in n poor state of fertility
While a growing forest occupied the.
ground, large proportion of the leaves
of the trees have been blown by the
wind or carried down on the lower
ground by streams of water, SO that
many of the knobs of our cultivated
fields have very thin and sometimes
barren soil. For the purpose of reno
waiting such parts of cultivated fields,
stacks of hay or other fodder are built
there and fed of domestic animals, with
view Of improving the fertility of the
soil by the liquid as well as solid pro-
portions of the manure which the stock
would drop, thus avoiding the labor
and expense of hauling manure from
the yard and spreading it on such
places.


The theory on tI.is subject is correct,
while the practice is decidedly errone-
Gus, except under certain circumstan-
ces. When the ground is covered with
snow and ice around a stack, on such
an elevated part ola meadow, large
proportion ofthe liquid manure which
leached from the solid droppings of the
animals, as we'll as most of pure liquid,
will be diffused through the snow, and
either washed away or evaporated, be-
fore it reaches the ground. If the sur
face of the ground be frozen, a much
larger proportion will be lost. If the
ground is bare, and not frozen, the IL
quid manure will Immediately be absor-
bed by the soil and but little of its efii-
cacy lost. s.. ... ...
Year: 1868




The farm preserves the family in
its integrity. The home has in that
charming word, and that still more
charming thing, the fireside-around
which parents and children gather, and
where the bright and cheerful blaze
upon the hearth is but true type OF
the flame of love that glows in every
heart. The parents have been drawn
together, not by the sordid motives of
wealth, or by the ambitious desire Of So
cial display, but for the personal quail
ties seen in each other. The glory of that
tireside to the husband is that his wife
is there, and to the wife that he is there
Here they gather at morning, and t
evening and at noon. There board is
almost always surrounded with the
same circle. Here they spend the long
winter evenings together, enlivened by
schoolbooks of children, the newspaper
and journals and works of history and
science. A constant horhoge neous in
fluence goes forth from his circle to the
young hearts that are molding there
Paternal vigilance guards the young
against wicked companions. Ifthe re-
ligeous influence is right in that home,
they will all grow up to be good citi-
zens, to be the pillars of society, where
ever they may be cast. The sons fol-
low the business of their father as soon
as their laboFs are available. They arc
with him in the field and by the way
and at home. They form industrious
habits, and are prepared for the res
possibilities of Life.
Year: 1868

iFThe father of the great Calico was
the first to invent solo singing, or ar
rangement of music for single voice.
Before his time, good music was only
cultivated for the church, and sung in
chorus. The experiment of solo sing
iLg was first tried in the house of rich
amateur in Florence, and at once be-
come popular, paving the way for ora
toUio and opera.
Year: 1868

iP A lady who was suffering under
slight indisposition, told her husband
that it was with the greatest difficulty
she could breathe, and the effort dis
tressed her exceedingly. II wouldn't
try, my DEAR soothingly responded
the husband.
Year: 1868

iTe We cannot remember night so
dark as to have hindered the approach
of coming day, nor storm so furious
or dreadful as to prevent the return Of
a warm"sunshine or q cloudless sky.
Year: 1868

During a late circus and menagerie
exhibition in Flemingsburg, KY, there
suddenly came up a violent storm Of
wind and rain which threatened to
interfere with the performance. At
first there was but little excitement
among the spectators; but finally the
stakes of the outer canvas gave way;
then the immence center-pOle Of the
large one commenced to sway and
grOan, and the sides to flop and give
wqy; the lions commenced to grOwI
and roar, the elephant to swing his
huge prObOscis around, and the horses
to neigh and stamp, the women shri-
eked; the confusion was indescribale,
and the excitement the widest ever
seen in Flemingsburg. Everybody
rushed pellmell for the entrance, gem
tlman and ladies in confused mass cal
ling alternately for help and friends
OF course, on the top seats some jump
ed TO the bottom, some fell through
some were caught and suspended while
falling, and great many cut their
way through the canvas At this
juncture the elephant broke out a
mOng the peOble and created q perfect
panic of terror. The rain was falling
in torrents, the lightning flashed and
the thunder crashed. Men In their
fright ran against the ticket-wagon
over ladies, wildly to and fro. Many
Of the ladies tainted and fell but fOrtu-
nately none were killed or scared to
death. After the storm had abated
the great canvas was explored, but no
one was found to be seriously injured.