smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

English etiquette demands the oh.
servance of two rules n connection
with dinners which it is the worst pos
sible taste to violate in any country,
many delinquepts to the contrary not
withstanding. They are that all dln-
ner invitations shall be answered at
once-no waiting to see if a pleasanter
enjoyment presents itself, and that the
guest shall be punctual to the hour
specified. That the success of the
party depends largely upon these is
self-evident.


The next important matter lies with
the host or hostess, to settle before
hand the correct precedence and II
there is none, to consider which couples
best suit each other. There are sew
eral methods of arranging the order in
which the guests are to go down; one
is for the host, before dinner is an
nounced, to introduce each gentleman
to the lady, whom he is to take to din
ner but this has its Inconvenience,
and the wiser plan is thought to be for
the hostess to despatch the guests her
self when the host has given his arm
to the lady he takes down. Once ar
rived in the dining-room, the host
should tell each couple as they appear
where they are to sit. An experienced
hostess always takes special care not to
seat husbands and wives opposite each
other. "a.


One thing should never be forgotten.
Every gentleman must place the lady
he escortson his right hand. He should
always, when desired to take her to
dinner, offer his right arm. Ladies
and gentlemen enter the room singly,
not arm -in-arm, and the ladies retain
their gloves until they are seated, put
ting them on again before leaving the
dining room, ...,,. ~ ...-.g d.
Year: 1877

The great importance OF the Eastern


question rests entirely upon the fear
that Constantinople may fall into the
hands Of Russia. No other great power
covets its possession with Russia the
desire to obtain this great key to the
East is traditionary. Both to England
and to Austria the occupation of the
Bosphorus and Dardanelles by Russia


would be of paramount interest. Nor
is it possible to suppose that either of
IT, Jse nations would consent to such an
occupation except as the result of a
long and unsuccessful war. 1t is for
this reason that they wish for the i'm
provement of Turkey rather than for


her destruction, whilst Russian inter
ests induce that country to hasten in
every way the decadence of the Otto
man Empire. Constantinople and its
approaches being the great prize which
is much coveted, it naturally follows
that if this important position could be
made so secure that Russian occupa-
tion were impossible, great political
as well as military problem would have
been solved. The superiority o; the
Turkish fleet and the works of defence
erected in the Bosphorus and Darda-
nelles have prevented the possibility of
q Muscovite capture of Constantinople
by Q sea attack. 1t, therefore, only be-
comes necessary to strengthen the land
approaches to make Constantinople
practically impregnable. And this could
easily be accomplished. The Bospho-
rus can only be approached from the
north by narrow strip of land, in
some places only % miles wide. II
line of works were erected across this
strip, with its right resting on the
Black Sea, and its left on the Sea of
Marmora, Constantinople would be Sc
cure. An admirable position exists
which is so aided by natural obstacles
as to reduce the front to be defended
to between II and Is miles. But can
Constantinople be reached by Rus
sian army acting from the Caucasus
and marching through Asia Minor ?
From the Caucasus IT, Constantinople
by road is upwards OF nine hundred
miles. There are no roads for srtil-
lery, and the country offers every diff
Guilty relative to the maintenance of
supplies. The flank and rear of an
army so advancing would be exposed
to attack by any power il command of
the Black Sea. Finally the approach
to Constantinople is also by a narrow
neck of land only 26 miles In width and
there would be ample time to erect
line of works extending from the Gulf
of Ismidt to the Black Sea, and so
blocking an advance from Asia Minor.
Thus the line of works proposed by
making the position of Constantinople
practically impregnable to a Russian
attack, would settle In a good degree
that Eastern questions which now Of
fers such serious difficulties and dan
gers. -LeUdnt Herald.
Year: 1877

The police in London are smart, but
Notwithstanding their smartness, the
problems, What has become of the
Countess Of Dudley's jewels, and Who
took the missing Galnsborough? are
still unsOlved. In the case of the jew
els, they were stolen out of the maid s
arms as she held them in box at a
railway depot. The theory now is, that
whoever snstched them hurriedly push
ed the box into an empty railway ear
and then returned and took them away
leisurely an hour or two afterward when
the excitement, searching, &c, were
over. The Gainsborough picture
was cut from its frame on the ,ery day
of its sale for 1000 guineas. It was
locked up in a strong building in that
locality. Bond street, before which po-
liceman were patrolling all night.
Another audacious robbery took place
the other day in broad daylight at a
railway station. A certain member of
Parliament-an earl-arrived at pro-
vincial railway station and found he
had half an hour to wait He strolled
about the depot leisurely, but spoke to
no one, and no one came near him, so
far as he knows. As he was about to
enter the train, gentleman sitting in
side said to him, "Have you not broken
your watch-chain? 1 see it hanging"
The chain had been cut, the watch
stolen,


A lawyer told me that on one Occa-
sion when he had thief for client, he
asked him to show him, TO satisfy his Gu
riosity, how he had done this very same
thing, which was then creating great
discussion in the community. But be-
fore he had finished speaking, the thief
smilingly showed his learned counsel
his watch which he had abstraeted as
desired; and when the lawyer express
ed astonishment at such marvellous
dexterity and laid his hand ON his vest
pocket in surprise, he found his watch
was back again, safe and sound. The
redoubtabie Maskelyne himself would
not be ashamed of such neat bit of
sieight of hand as this. Speaking of
that celebrated conjurer, let me mention
that this week he has offered some i'm
provements in the already wonderful
cabinet trick invented by the Daven-
port brothers. Maskelyne now causes
Cooke (his partner) to be tied up alone
in the cabinet, thus exploding the the
ory that the two help each other to un-
tie the fisherman's net, which is sewn
up and then examined by vigilance
committee from the audience; also IL
whipcord used for lashingthe wrists and
ankles, as being more difficult to unite
than rope; and still, in spite of this, the
Year: 1877




The custom of wearing long finger
nails obtains among the aristocracy Ot
parts of China and Siam. The dishg


urement is supposed to add TO the i'm
portanee of the individual, as it is evi-
dent that the wearer can not do any
work, and must. therefore, be person
of elegant leisure, backed by a fortune
corresponding to the length of his nails.
The hand of an Annamite dandy has
nails four or five inches in length: The
thumb-nail has characteristic shape.
and that of the first finger is cut short
to enable the person to pick up small
objects. Without this slight alteration
the hands would be nearly useless.
Nails of still greater enormity may be
seen. They are said to have attained
the extraordinary length of thirteen
inches, and in this instance the nail OF
the first finger is not entirely cut of.
Year: 1877

W0man's charms are certainly many
and powerful. The expanding rose
just bursting into beauty has an irre-
sistible bewitchness; the blooming
bride led triumphantly TO the by meneal
altar awakens admiration and interest,
and the blush of her cheek fills with de-
light; but the charm of maternity is
more sublime than all these.


Heaven has imprinted in the mothers
face something beyond this world,
something which claims kindred with
the skies,-the angelic smile, the tender
look, the waking watchful eye, which
keeps its fond vigil over her slumber-
ing babe.


These are objects which neither the
pen nor the chisel can touch, which
poetry fails to exalt, ~isiios the most
eloquent tongue in vain would eulogize,
and on whicn all description becomes
Ineffective. In the heart of man lies this
lovely picture; 1t lives in his sympa-
thies; it reigns in his affections; his
eye looks round in vain for such an
other object on earth.


Maternity, estate sound; 80 twined
round our hearts, that they must cease
TO thrOb ere we forget, 'Tis our first
love; its part of our religion. Nature
has set the mother upon such pin
nacle, that our infant eyes and arms
are first uplifted to it; we cling to it in
manhood; we almost worship it in old
age.


He who can enter an apartment, and
behold the tender babe feeding on its
mothers beauty - nourished by the
tide of life which flows through her gem
erous veins, without painting bosom
and a grateful eye, is no man, but a
monster. He who can approach the era
die OF sleeping innocence without think
ing that''of such is the Kingdom of hea-
venl' or see the fond parent hang over
its beauties, and half retain her breath
lest she should break its slumbers, with
out veneration beyond all common
feeling, is TO be avoided in every inter-
course of life, and is tit only for the
shadow of darkness and the solitude of
the dersert.
Year: 1877

Bats live their active lives in the
night: when sunlight comes they fly
away TO their holes. there 10 sleep until
twilight comes again, when they re-
sumo the occupation of insect killing.
The female bat has rather a hard time
of il, as she j. the nest and the food of


her young until they are themselves
able TO fiy Often have | seen q female
bat, with her young ones clinging to
her breast, flying about i'll search of


food; and the young ones were not so
small either. How else could they get
along? The old ones make no nest; it
they wanted to ever so much they
could not. and the chances are that,


from their wandering habits, they


spend the day in one. place, and the
next in another two or three miles dis
tant, just as they happen to be when
day overtakes them, and if they left
their young behind them, their exact
locality might be forgotten. When the
Young ones are able TO shift for them
selves the mothers life is easier, and
until winter comes to kill their insect
food, she lives luXuriously. Then,
when all nature is prepared to put on
the livery of winter, bats, instead oi
leaving the scenes where they had
passed the summer, repair to their
haunts i'm the caves and walls, and
hanging by their hind feet in little
groups of i've or six together, pass the
dreary season in one unbroken sleep
Year: 1877

each drawing therefrom one Of the
rolls. When all have drawn, they pro-
ceed to the chairwoman, who cuts the
ribbon which secures each roll, and bids
the candidate unfold the various papers.
There is no need to ask them which of
them has gained the prize-the spark
ling eyes of the fortunate "hundred
pound girl" reveal the secret more
quickly than it could be spoken by the
lips. The portion drawn in May is
given after wedding on the fifth Of
November, the November portion being
given in like mannor on May day.
Year: 1877

j don't think ever wrote about Miss
Grundy in the News and l want 70 do
so now. She is q medium-siZed COM
pact lady, much given to emphatic
colors in dress and punning witticisms
in letters. As a correspondent ! be-
heve she holds her own better than
any of the other ladies. She is not
spasmodic and never ridicules. She
don't care much about fine writing,
but in the description Of society events
she is clearly the most entertaining,
and seldom makes a mistake. She
works like a woman of intense praatica-
bility, and don't think would scream
at mouse. / rather think she'd sit
down on it. She writes very rapidly,
and so accurately that a revision is
seldom worth while. Her writing is
exceedingly English, devoid of ''hor-
rid" adjectives and seldom as weak as
the subjects which perforce she is
driven to take up. She has the entree
to the upper circles and is very much
liked by all. Occasionally she goes for
some with whip, swapping with sting.
ing facts and language not easily pooh
poohed. Her wit is not Of the blue
stocking order, bearing traces OF para
phrasing, nor does it smack OF old
medical almanacs circulated before You
and were born, and hence out OF our
memories. Shes an honest writer,
not argumentative but assertive, free
and unimpeded by half-evolved lack of
understanding. She lives very quietly
with her mother in modest rooms sur
rounded by books of decided worth
and comfort, all the more enjoyed be-
cause well earned. Her mOtehr is a
lady of great refinement. Her letters
over the signature of ''Fay," in the
Louisville Commercial, show rare cul-
ture and purity of taste quite out Of
the daily press. She is devoted to her
daughter, sad by mutual assistance
each performs much of the best work
that leaves this city by correspondence.
Miss Grundy's name is Austine Snead,
and she comes of a fine Kentucky
family.
Year: 1877

WHERE THE Sun NEVER SETs.-The
following graphic passage is from
tho description Of a scene witnessed
by a Mr.. Campbell and his party, in
tho north Of Norway, from cliff
one thousand feet above tho sea :.
The scene stretched away in silent
vastness at our feet the sound Of
its waves scarcely reached our airy
look. ont away in tho north the
huge old sun hung low along the
horizon, like the slow beat OF the
pendulum in the tall clock OF our
grandfathor's parlor corner We all
stood silent, looking at our watches
When both hands came together at
twelve, midnight, tho full round orb
hung triumphantly above the waves
q bridge of gold running duo north
spanned tho water between us and
him. There ho shonoin silent majesty
which knows no setting. We invol.
untary took Off our hats No word
was said. Combine, if you can, tho
most brilliant sunrise and sun.
set you ever saw, and its beauties
will pale before the gorgeous color.
ing which now lit up the ocean, hoa-
Won, and mountain. In half an hour
the sun had swung up prceptibly on
it's beat. Tho colors changed to
those of morning fresh breeze
ripplod over the flood. Ono song
stor aftor another pipod up in tho
grove behind US. We had slid into
another day.
Year: 1877

4


DEsTRuorrvESRss oE SiN.-M en-


think little OF sin but does God


What turned Adam and Eve out oi


Paradise ? Sin. What destroyed
Gods own city and scattered her
chosen people as vagrants over the
faco OF the earth Sin. w Ii a
brought disease, accident, toll, care,
war, pestilsnce and famine in the
world Sin. What has converted
the world into one great burying
place of its inhabitants I Sin. What
lighted the flames of hell : Sin.
What crucifed the Lord of life and
glory : Sin. What, then, must sin
be Who but God, aud what but
his infinite mind. can conceive OF its
evil nature 7 Did you ever consider
that il WAS only ono sin that
brougth 'cstl and all our woes into
tho W. "A Do you not tremble
at the thought that this evil is in
you Some will attempt to persuade
you that sin is tritle that God
does not take much account OF it I;
That you mood not give yourself
much concern about it. But what
says God himself in his word, in his
providence in tho torments OF the
damned, in the cruciixion of his
Son You have not only sin enough
in yourself to deserve tho bottom
less pit and to sink you to it, unless
it DO pardoncd but sin enough, if
it could bo divided and distributed
TO others, to doom multitudes to
pcrdition.
Year: 1877

One dollar and half is . very low yearly subscription rate for newspa- per. It is only twelve and half cents per month. But we are anxious to get all the masses more in the habit of reading. We know that if they will read their county paper they will keep better posted and be more prosperous

 they will think more and be more prac- tical and provident and better times will be brought about. Urged on by this desire we now make this offer, to-wit: to everybody who will remit us one dollar and fifty cents we will send the DEMOCRAT from now until the lst day of January 1879. Is not this as liberal as you could ask, and cannot every man in Pope County who is any man at all afford to take his county paper at this low figure. Send us your money at once and have your names enrolled on our subscription books, and you will never, never, never regret it.
Year: 1877

Two painters were employed to fresco
the walls of a magnificent cathedral ;
both stood on a rude scafolding con-
strueted for the purpose, some eighty
feet from the floor. One Of them was
SO intent upon his work that he became
absorbed, and in admiration stood of
from the picture, gazing at it with de-
light Forgetting where he was, he
moved backward slowly, surveying
critically the work of his pencil, until
he had neared the end of the plank up
on which he stood. At this critical
moment bis companion turned suddenly,
and, almost frozen with horror, beheld
his imminent peril another instant and
the enthusiast would be precipitatsd
upon the pavement beneath; if he spoke
to him it was certain death-if he held
his peace death was equally sure. Sud-
denly he regained his presence of mind,
and seizing a wet brush, threw it
against the wall, splattering the beau
tiful picture with unsightly blotches Of
eoloring The painter few forward,
and turned upon his friend with fierce
imprecations but startled at his CHASTITY
face, he listened to the recital Of dan
ger, looked suddenly over the dread
space below, and with tears of graft
tude blessed the hand that saved him.
So we sometimes get absorbed in look
ing upon the pictures of this world,
and, in contemplating them, step back
ward, unconscious Of our peril, when
the Almighty dashes out the beautiful
images, and we spring forward to lament
their destruction-into the outstretched
arms of mercy, and are saved.
Year: 1877

The fathers of two houses concerned
meet and settle the matter together,
exchanging presents which sometimes
amounts to considerable. This, by q
sort of purchase is as useful a member
of household as a grown-up maiden,
surrendered by one to another. The
brother of the bride delivers her to the
solemn procession, which comes to con-
duct her to her new abode and there
she is received by the Sestee, sister-in-
law of the bridegroom. She dresses a
child, touches with a distaf the walls,
which are SO often to see her occupied
with this implement, and carries bread +,
wine, aud water up to the table, which
it will become her daily toll to prepare.
With these symbolic ceremonies she
enters into the new community. Her
mouth is sealed by piece of sugar, to
denote that she should utter little, and
only what is good As yet she is only
a stranger, and for a whole year she is
termed the "betrothed. By an as
sumption of continued bashfulness, pre-
scribed by custom, she keeps apart even
from her husband In the presence Of
others she scarcely converses with him,
much less would a playmate phrase be
permitted from her lips. It is only
when years have passed, and she has
become the mother of groWn-up' child
ren, that she, in reality, finds herself
on an equality with the other members
of the household.
Year: 1877

SETTING HENS. Never allow hens to
set among other fowls. They are al
most certain to have their eggs added
by the disturbance of laying hens, or
to be Wearied of the monotony of set
ting BY the hustle Of the coop, and
leave their nests before Matching. Make
the nest for your setter in some quiet
place, and after she has proved her de-
termination to set by keeping to her
nest for two days, remove her quietly
to the new nest, and cover her up close
ly for two days. She will not suffer for
food in the meantime. On the second
day leave the nest open in front, but
have it covered above, SO as to be quite
dark. Feed her on the nest, leaving
her free to get off and on as she will.
Once in a while hen will require to be
shut up again after feeding, but rarely.
Very few, even of the widest hens, will
try to leave a nest after being compelled
to keep it for two days and nights. In
removing the hen, handle very gently
and keep her wings down. A setting
hen will very rarely make any outcry,
or be much disturbed by removal, if she
is handled quietly. If hen gets her
wings up and struggles for liberty, or
is carried by the feet, or otherwise irri-
tated, she will rarely take to the new
nest, however quiet and secluded it
may be.
Year: 1877

CLOVER HAY.-Many farmers take
the position that clover hay is injurious
to stock, especially horses, and that the
prevalence of heaves is attributed to this
kind of hay. Glover is, however, too
valuable plant to be condemned on
fimsy evidence, at least without full
investigation. But the great source Of
objection to clover hay is the manner
in which it is made; and it must be ad-
mitted that clover is very difficult to
make, particularly when the stand is
heavy To save the blossoms and
leaves from falling of in handling, it is
often stored away with the largest stems
partially filled with moisture. and of
course in the sweating process. Fer
mentation will take place to some ex-
tent and the hay will be slightly musty
and very dusty, and if fed to stock
without being moistened will undoubt-
edly affect injuriously the respiratory
organs Of the animals. Still, in case Of
such misfortune, it will be no great
trouble to have watering can and a
cask filled with weak brine in the stable
entry to sprinkle over the hay as it is fed
to the horses, and which will answer
double purpose settling the dust and
give healthy relish to the food.


Glover hay can be cured without
much loss in the blossoms and leaves,
if cooked in the field when partially dry,
and secured from rain by muslin caps,
and allowed 70 wilt and sweat few
days, when the cocks can be turned
over and thrown about carefully to dry
and be stored away. Glover is too
often imperfectly cured, and that is the
only reason why it is Objectionable to
feed to stock -Germanto,0n Telegraph.
Year: 1877

NEAT FARMING The neat farmer
keeps everything around him neat and
clean, and gives bis fields clean cul-
ture; stumps, bushes and rocks are
taken out and removed where they will
do the most good his door-yards are
kept clean and smooth, fences always
in repair, gates and bars already to open
and shut, all old logs, bushes and other
refuse taken from the sides Of the road
in front Of his buildings, his barn and
out buildings are kept in repair and
painted or whitewashed, doors and
windows whole. and always provided
with hinges and fasteners for instant
use, his tools sharp and always in their
places when wanted, "a place for every
thing and everything in its place. His
farm wagons, ploWs, harroWs and all
other tools carefully housed when not in
use, his house is model Of neatness
outside and in he let's nothing 90 to
waste that will make manure, bis stock
is well taken care of and fed, and al
ways kept in a healthy condition, barn
and stable floors kept clean and tidy
he has more or less nice stock to sell
every year, and generally has a little
script in his pocket for a rainy day to
pay his bills, always rides with a good
team and is generally out of debt; be
oWnes more or less bank stock, and Of
course is happy and contented. and en-
joys the blessing of Dirigo Rural