smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

The large leaves have been converted
into dairy-farms by colored family
named Formica, otherwise known as
black ants. The race to which this
family belongs have for years been no.
torious as slave drivers and cruel task
masters. They are extremely warlike
and go into battle with regularly organ
lied battalions, making slaves of their
prisoners, who, yielding to the force of
circumstances, become faithful servants,
and procure all the food that is eaten by
their idle masters. The family living
under my veranda, although fierce and
determined in their nature, have ap-
parently devoted themselves exclusively
to dairy farming, having numerous herds
of cattle-cows and calves-that are
regularly MIXED by their owners, who
drink the milk for their food. One of
the larger leaves of the Virginia creeper
forms rich meadow, where from fifty
to seventy-five COWS and calves can pas
ture. These little domestic animals are
known as aphldes, and it is certainly an
extraordinary sight to see the black ant
to whom they seem to belong go through
the field and milk these little cows.
He carries with him long whip (anten-
n1), with which he strikes the little
docile animal on the back, when it inn
mediately deposits the milk that its mas
ter eagerly drinks. When the pasture
gives out, the ant carries his herd to
another leaf or field ; and when the little
calves are old enough to be MIXED, he
begins the education by biting them.


1t is curious to see the owner defend
his flock from an intruder. Let another
black ant come into the field-that is on
to the leaf-and he attacks him with
great fury, driving him from the prem
ises at once. All this and more too, my
lens shows me of my neighbours peculiar
habits. find that if venture too close
and arouse the suspicion Of the dairy.
man by placing my hand or finger near
his little farm, that / am warned by
a sharp bite to be more circumspect in
my movements, and not to become too
familiar on short acquaintance.


M. Fowel, who has given a very close
study to the ants of Switzerland, re-
lates some very remarkable instances of
an intelligence in these little creatures
which seems almost Incredible, and in
fact it is almost impossible for any one
to comprehend the absolute mental
capacity of these tiny, and for the most
part industrious dwellers on the earth,
unless he seeks through the medium Of
his own observation closer knowledge
Of their habits and.modes of life. -Egbert
Il. Vete, IN Harper'S Magazine.
Year: 1878

During the past month We have been
clearing our stock, Of old goods, aud are
now left with line of new and desirable
styles for the Spring trade Our store
which is tn most commodious In the city
or State, occupying three floors, and wish
enterprise back Of it, our intention is this
season to outdo all former efforts to make
the Boston One Price Clothing House the
place to buy Clothing and Gents Furnish


ing Goods. With the confidence Of th pub
lie that FIVE YEARS SQUARE DEAL
ING has not impaired, and our established


system of Cash and One Price to all, we
feel assumed tae present seasoo will prove
successful one. Visit eur ssore and look


at our immense stock Of Ready Aade
Clothing for Men, Youths, Boys aud Child
Year: 1878

Graham, the once famous qunck, wat
wont to exhibit himself plunged to the
chin in mud, mud bath taken regu.
larly being his specific for insuring a
century Of health, happiEess and honor.
Every physician at the time treated mud
bathing with ridicule, but in the present
day the celebrated mud baths at a certain
German watering place are among the
recognized means of ameliorating several
disorders. Graham was not wrong; he
only took a quackish way of announcing
his theories. There is apparently cur
ative power in earth. Not long ago, II
man employed at some works hear
Melksham managed to get himself fixed
in the narrow part of an iron tube, and
when he was extricated was to all ap-
pearance dead. His mates dug hole in
the ground, put the unconscious patient
into it, and filled in the earth, leaving only
a small hole for him to breathe through,
should he draw breath again. In very
short time he showed signs of returning
life, with his own hands cleared away the
earth, and dram of brandy set him once
more on his legs, little the worse for his
mishap.


Joaquin Miller's earth.cure experience
had a more ghastIy' ending. Travelling
with mining party in California, six
Of them were suddenly struck down with
scurvy, and there being none of the usual
remedies at hand, an old sailor suggested
the trial of one which had saved ships
crew in some land in the tropics. This
was simply to bury the men upright as
far as their chins, until the earth drew
the poison out of their bodies. Six pits
were quickly dug in the warm allavial
soil, and when the sun went down, the
men were placed in them, and the earth
shoveled in around them. 1t was u beau.
tiful moonlight night; and the operation
completed, the invalids chatted gaily to.
gether; their shaggy heads just bursting
through the earth in the ftfu moonlight,
made them look like men coming up to
judgment, their voices sounding weird
and ghostly, as of another world. After
awhile, one by one they fell asleep, and
all was STILL Their comrades then stole
away and sought their cabins. When
they rose in the morning, and went to see
how the buried men Jared, they found
that the wolves had come down in the
night, and eaten off every head level with
the ground.
Year: 1878

A Spitz dog came into this office yes
terday in company with very handsome
lady. The dog was undoubtedly hand.
some, too. The editors were all at their
desks. Upon sudden, each seemed pos.
sessed of the devil, or an impulse to get
better view Of the dog-a view rendered
more enchanting by distance. The chairs
were hastily abandoned. The night edi,
tor opened window contiguous to bis
desk and sat on the sill, the major part Of
his body ornamenting the facade, The
city editor and the reporters struck up as
if by agreement, "There's no place like
home"-tor dog, The other editors
locked their doors, barricaded them with
patent-ofiice reports and paste pots and
hunted for prophetic judgment on the
walls Of their little sanctums. Tho hand
some woman stated her business. She
understood that "one of the gentlemen Of
the Office wanted lapdog, and thought
| would bring 'Spok' up to see if he
would suit" A ghastly smile stole over
the features of the city editor, and, from
his lofty perch upon one of tho cross
beams to which he had scrambled With
more of alacrity than of dignity, he as
cured the good woman that it was per
haps mistake it must have been the
Union office, and that if she would call
again he would give her all the facts in
the case. He was thousand times
obliged to her for the trouble she had
taken, but really he didn't fancy dogs


Thercupon the handsome young lady
departed with sigh.


"Mighty handsome dog, wasn't itr
each observed, as he resumed his toilSome
labors.


Kind readers, have this little episode
in mind, and give US credit for consist
ency when we tell you to beware OF tic
Spitz.-RocheSter Democrat.
Year: 1878

EDrsoN's invention to make deaf
man hear is we'll enough as far as itgoes,
but what this country wants is something
tomake man believe that boil on his
leg Is q foGr-story blessing.
Year: 1878

As might be imagined from the character of the govern
ment woman plays no part in the history of Japan
though allowing for Oriental usases she is treated ON
the whole with toerahe leniency She occupies better
position in the family, from not entaing any charge at
her marriage bride receives dowry but on the
contrary is presented by her husband with handsome
donation which invariably appropriated by her father


In Japan therefore, it is considered more fortunate To
have daughters than sons the latter ultimately prove
very fortunate investment On the birth of n son the
event is commemorated by the planting of tree which


carefully tended to the day of his marriage when it
cut down. and furnishes material for chest designed ex
pressy TO hold the wardrobe of the newly welded coupe
The marriage as in China and Tartary is an affair be-
tween the parents and the wishes of the young people
themselves are never consulted The bride is usually in
her fifteenth year. but maturity being early DEVELOPED
wedoek may be contracted at still younger age and the
mother is OFTEN child herself Marriage is Il religious
ceremony, and is celebrated with great pomp and MANY
forms IN public temple, in presence of the priests ana
idols and the friends and kindred of both parties The
priest backens the peary teeth the bride using for this
purpose thr same indebe lacquer applied to eoascutes
and other similar lapaiwae; and this serves from that
time to her DEATH TO notify, like the wedagrine of En-
rope, that She has entered the marriage state
Year: 1878

Mr. kearney leader of the San Francisco workingens :
agitation headed deputation, fortnight ago to the
noman Catholic archbishop when, according the san
Francisco News Letter that prelate thus renied ,,b
placid urbanity TO an excited haIangue: Mr. Kearney


understand that yon wish to mind my own business
Very good Perhaps you know what my business is bet
ter than do But Mr. Keaney there is at present but
one gentleman who is authorized show me how to mind
my business, and that is the Pope of Rome PerhaIs
That power 90 you And now let tell you little story
Mr. keaIney have lived here great many years and


snow the temper OF the people OF California pretty well
and long time ago. before you had come to America
went TO bed one night leaving everything going ON in the
city as usual Well, Mr. Kearney after n comfortable
nights rest, arose and locked out of the window and
there IN the street poor fellow hanging by the neck
quite dead suspended from amp-post. He was poor
,%euow % VINO dld not know how to mind his business
Mr. Kearney, and that ALL You mind your business
well, Mr. kearney, and will mind mine" Good morn
ing" Exit deputation.
Year: 1878

We continue in this number the publication of an
alphabetical list of the Battles of the War of the
Rebellion from authentic sources, to be continued
hereafter 1t will be pleasant, hope, for the old
soldiers to again the names and dates of battles
in which they or their friends took part.
Year: 1878

SUCCESS. is glare about world
success which is very apt to dazzle mems
eyes. When we see Il man rising in the
world, thriving in business, successful in
his speculations, if he be man out of oul
own line who does not cone into competi-
tion with us so as to make US Jealous of
him, we are too apt to form foolish, high
opinion of his merits. We are apt to say
within ourselves. What wonderful
man this must be to rise so rapidly" " for
getting that dust and straw and feathers,
things with neither weight nor value in
them, rise the S onest and easiest. In
like manner it is not the truely great and
good man, generally speaking, who rises
the most rapidly into wealth and notice
A man may be sharp, active, quick dex-
trous, cunning; he may ever be on the
watch for opportunities to push his fortunes
A man OF This kind can hardly fail of get
ting on in the world, yet with all this he
may not have Il grain of real greatness
about him. He may be all | have des
cribed, and yet have no greatness ofmind.
no greatness of soul, He may be utterly
without sympathy and fellow feeling for
others; he may be utterly devoid of all
true wisdom he may he without piety and
without character; without love, that is,
either for God or man.-Hare.
Year: 1878

ASKING FAvoRs.-lf you wish to be
happy and Independent, avoid asking
fvors of others as fra possible. 1t is
more blessed to give than to receive; and
though we may receive with thankfulness
that which is freely offered yet anything
which approaches brggary or expectancy
is quite hkely to cause us sorrow. To be
refused favor is exceedingly unpleasant.
and perhaps more than half the persons
who ask favors, wien they have done so
are sorry for the act. Do what you can
Tor yourself, and when your own efforts do
otavail take your request toGod in prayer.
Your own crust is better than anOther'>
sumptuous meal; your dinner of herbs will
taste better in your own corner of the
housetop. than Il stalled OK eaten ut u table
where your welcome is not assured. Tue
world is full of coveting begging and COM
planning. and even those who desire to
give to the really needy, are porplexed


lest they do harm instead of good. God
never makes mistake. What He sends


to us surely we may accept with gladness,
and if we carry TO Him the story Of olr


needs there will be no mistake about their
supply. He knows our ways and our
wants. " BE- careful for nothing, but in
every thing by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your request be
made known unto God. Vile ChriStiun.
Year: 1878

1t is the essential nature OF all wines
and spirits to send an increased amount OF
blood to the brain. The first effect OF
taking a glass of wine or stronger form
of alcohol is to send the blood there faster
than common; hence the circulation that
gives the red face. 1t increases the activ-
ily of the brain, and it works faster, and
50 does the tongue. But rs the blood goes
to the brain faster than common, it re-
turns faster, and no special harm results.
But suppose man keeps on drinking, the
blood is sent to the brain SO fast and in
such large quantities that, in order to
make room for it. the arteries have TO en-
large themselves; they increase in size,
and in doing so they press against the
more yielding, tl,ccid veins which carry
the blood out Of the brain, and thus dimin-
ish their size, their pores, the result being
that blood is not only carried to the arte-
ries of the brain faster than is nh ural or
healthful, but is prevented from leaving it
as fast rs usual; hence double set of
causes of death are in operation. Hence
a man may drink enough of brandy or
other spirits in few hours, or even min
utes. to bring on fatal attack of apoplexy.
This is, literally, being dead drunk.-Dr.
Hall.
Year: 1878

KEEP Your TROUBLES SACRED A
worthy wife of forty years standing, and
whose life was not nude up of sunshine
and peace, give the following sensible and
impressive advice to married pair of her
acquaintances The advice is so good,
and SO well suited to all married people,
rs well us those who intend entering that
state, that we here publish it for their
benefit. Preserve sacredly the privacies
of your own house, your married state,
and your heart. Let no father or mother,
sister or brother, ever presume to come
between you two, Or to share the Joys and
sorrows that belong to you two alone.
Build your own quiet world, not allowing
your dearest earthly friend to be the con
tident of aught that concerns your domes.
tic peace. Let moments of alienation, if
they occur, be healed at once. Never, no,
never speak of it outside but to each other,
confess, and all will come out right. New.
er let the morrow sun stih find you Mt
variance. Review and renew your VOW
it will do you good and hereby your souls
will grow together, cemented in that love
which is strong,Y than death, and you will
become truly one "--Seiected.
Year: 1878

F! INSTINCT IN 'BIRDs.-No subject con-


nected with the history of birds furnishes


more interesting material for study than
that of instinct. Young birds of different
species show that they have different de-


grees of instructive knowledge. Some are


able 10 take the entire care of themselves,


and do not need mother to watch over


them; Others, on the contrary, are perfect


ly helpless, and need teaching before they


can do anything for themselves, except


breathe, end swallow what is put into


their mouths. The young chicken, short


time after it leaves the egg, knows how to
take care of itself nearly as well as does


the year-od bird. 1t can run after lis


mother, use its eyes, pick up food, and
answer the Call of the old hen; and it does


all this without instruction. How differ
ent 1t is in all these respects from the young


barn-swallowl This is blind and unable
to run. or even TO stand, knowing only
enough to open its mouth when it hears
tlle OLD bird return to the nest, and to
swallow the food placed in its open bill.
far from Knowing by instinct how TO use
lis wings, as the young chick does its legs,
1t does not learn this until it is well grown
and has had several lessons in flying, and
ever, lcn it flies badly, and improves only
after long practice After it has learned
to fly, it is still very helpless and baby
like, and very different from the active
brlght-eyed, independent little chick oflhe
-yhrd-and indeed, the young of all
the RdsoreS, or scratching birds, such as
the hen, the quail, the partridge, the
pheasant and tile turkey.


The scratching birds are not the only
ones which can take care of themselves ut
an early aye. This is true of the running
birds, such as the ostlich; and tie same is
The case with many OF the wadlng birds,
such as the woodcock; and among the
swimming birds, there are several kinds |
that take ful care of themselves soon after
leaving G shell.


Far from standing in any need of instr uc-
tion, young ducks tax to the water by
instinct, even when they have been brought |
up by hen; and they know they are
perfectly safe upon it. although the anxious
hen tries IN every way TO restrain them |
and to call them back.


There are many ways in which some of
our young birds show their leally wonder.
tul instincts, but there is nothing more
curious in this respect than the habits of
the Ii tie chickens, which most of US have
opportunities Of noticing.-if we choose to
take the trouble. These little creatures.
almosta rs soon AS they are born, under
stand what tn ir mother " clucks to
them; they know that they must hide
when II hawk is about; they often scratch
the ground for food before they see their
mother or any other chicken do So; they
are careful not to catch bees instead oil
flies; and they show their early smarlness
III many ways which are well worth watch
ing.


But, sometimes, brood OF these young
sters find something that puzzles them, as
when they meet with II hard shelled bee
tie, who looks too big 10 eat and yet too
small for IL playmate.--Prot. w. X.
Brooks, 81. M hotuS.
Year: 1878

FLYING -FIsH.-The mechanism of the
movements of the tiying-fish through the
air has been described with much de-
tail by Professor Moebius, of Kiel, who
concludes, from the observations of those
who have published on the subject and
his own, that the tlying.fi>h dart from the
water with great speed without reference
10 the course of the wind and waves.
They make no regular flying motions with
their pectorill and ventra fins, but spread
them out quietly, though very rapid vibra-
lions can be seen in the outslrelched pee
toral fins. The hinder part of the body.
while the fish moves in the air, hangs
somewhat lower than the forepart of the
body. They usually fly farther against
the wind than with il, or if their track
and the direction of the wind form IN
angle. Most flying fish which fly against
Or with the wind continue in their whole
course of flight in the same direction in
which they come out of the wafer. Winds
which blow from one side on to the origi-
nal track of the fin bend their course in-
ward All fish which are at distance
from the vessel hover in their whole course
in the air near the surface of the water.
ii III SlIOIlR Wiulo lileJ ny uSuiHst uuc
course of waves, then they fly a little
higher; sometimes they cut with the tail
into the est Of the same Only such fly
ing fish rise to IL considerable height (at
the highest, by chance, five metres above
the surface of the sea) whose course in the
air becomes obstrucLed by vessel. In
The daytime f,ing-tish seldom fall on the
deck of the ship, but mostly in the night;
never in calm. but only when the wind
blows. For the most part they fall on
ships which do not rise higher than two or
three yards above the water, when they
are sailing on the wind, or with half wind,
and are making good course. Flying
fish never come on board from the lee
side, but only on the windward side.
Before vess, Is which pass between their
swimming schools the fish fly into the air
rs before predaceous fish or cetaceans -
Harper's Maga&tne.
Year: 1878

ONLY ONE DAY AT A TINE "A certain
lady had met with very serious accident,
which necesstated painful surgical op-
eralion, ami many months confinement TO
her bed. When the physician had finished
his work, and was about taxing leave, the
p tient asked, " Doctor, how long shall |
have 10 lie here helpleesp"


Only one day at IL time," was the CHEEKY
answer, r,and the poor sufferer was not only
comforted for the moment. but many times
during the succeeding weary weeks did
the thought, Only one day at time,
colue back with its qnietng influence.


think it WAS Sydney Smith who recon-
mended taking sholt views rs good
Safeguard against needless worry; and
one far wiser than he has said, Take
therefore no thought for the morrow; for
the morrow shall take thought ior the
things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is
the evil thereof"


There are no troubles that wear upon
the temper, and sap the foundations of all
peace and comfort,as do borrowed troubles
because there is no provision made in the
divine economy for help to bear them
We have no promise given that strength
will be gwen to sustain us under the
weight of imaginary burdens, Real trials,
bravely and patiently borne, are moral
tonics, strengthening and purifying Ill
their influence, liftng the soul TO higher
levels and broader outlooks. But it is only
receiving them rs they come, "a one day
ut Il tnue," and taking no thought for
those Of the morrow, that they will yield
us the full measure of good with which
they are iraught.


We should probably be not a little as
tonished could we take in ut II glance all
the trials OF our past lives, both real and
apprehendcd, to lind how greatly the lat
Ter would out.number the former, and nj
SO how rarely the dreaded evil has be-
come Il reality. Again and again does
The dark cloud, which seems just ready 10
launch forth its ligh ming dart of scathing
affection, descend IN gentle and refreshing
showers of mercy. 1t is, however, some
times the case that the habit of foreboding
evil helps to work out its futillment. The
mother who passes nights If sleepless
anxiety concerning the future of the will
lu wayward child. thus renders herself
unfit for the exercise of that calm, firm
discipline, SO necessary to lis proper train
ing, and may make many fatal mistake
which would have been avoided had she
simply done her very best from day to
day, leaving the results with God. The
business men, who during II season OF
financial depression, broods constantly
over the prospect of impending ruin, loses
lnat cool. clear Judgment which would
go far toward averting the dreaded catas-
lrophe.


In all those hard places to which we SO
often come in the course of our earthly
when for days, weeks and
perhaps for months and years, we seem to
he rowing against the tide, making no
Roadway ,and sometimes apparently losing
ground, when flesh and spirit are alike
already to fail, it will be well TO remember
that it is only one day ut Il time" and
He who gives daily bread will also supply
the daily need of grace.-AdUocats and
Gnardian.