smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

FIRK LIGHTING IN OLDEN TIME
How many now living can remem Der
when the preservation of the hearth IRE
was q duty as exacting and necessary as
that Of the Vigins, in the time of Roman
greatness, who were intrusted with the
care Of the alter raised to Vesta There
may be some but not mary. Some OF us
we'll remem Der when the last care Of the
housewife, after securing the door and
fastening every window, which duty she
repeated as often as night came, was
careful to rake together the 1--we Goals,
place the brands against the back log,
and cover all with ashes how she carried
her tinder box, steel and flint into her
room, always sure that there was enough
Of punk" or charred linen rags, called
"tinder" to enable her to obtain light at
any time when needed how on a cold
winter morning some families have gone
TO the neighbors to borrow fire, as they
termed it.


In every house was finder box, a
round lin cup rising some inch at the
sides in which was a quantity of tinder.
On that was a plain dish as a cover, and
over all lid, which had upon its upper
surface socket for candle. Then there
was common gun flint, much more COM
men than now and an old Gle. This was
the fire raising apparatus. The flint in
one hand and the steel in the other, its
point raised above and pointing to the
finder. To make that spark a generating
blaze, a slip of dry pine wood, its end
dipped in preparation of melted birthstone
was sufficient.


These splinters Of sulphur tipped shaw
ings were the originals of the present luci-
fer mstches, and in our boyhood days we
have spent many an hour in shaving
then from the blocks, labor which as a
pastime would have been pleasant, but as
a task was irksome. Afterwards came
the PHOSPHORUS matches, which when
dipped in a vial ignited on exposure to the
atmosphere. These were costly and never
came into general use, being shown as cur
iosities rather than employed as conven-
fences. Then came the present matches
variously named as locofoco, lucifer and
friction matches. When these friction
matches first came into use, they were SUBJ
jeeted to great opposition by the press on
account of facilities they afford inc0ndiar-
les to prosecute their nefarous work and
for many years hundreds refused to use
them. But their undoubted convenience
and utility triumphed over all prejudices
and the friction match is now considered
a necessity. There is no single article
more extensively used, there being manu-
factured in this country alone, one hun
dred million daily.
Year: 1879

This little sentence should be writ
ten on every heart, and stamped on
every memory. 1t should be the
golden rule practiced not ONLY in
every househoulj, but throughout the
world By helping one another we
not only remove thorns from the
pathway, AMI anxiety from the mind,
but we feel a sense OF pleasure in our
own he irts. knowing we are doing q
duty to a fell w-creature. A helping
hand, or an encouraging word, is no
loss to US, yet it Is benefit to Others
Who has not felt the power of this
little sentence? Who has not needed
the encouragement and aid OF kind
friend? How soothing, when per-
picked with some task that is mystic
rious and burdensome, to feel a gentle
hand ON the shoulder, and to feel a
kind voice Whispering: "D, not feel
discouraged; l see your trouble, let
me help you What strength is in
spired, what hope created, what
sweet gratitude is felt, and the great
difficulty is dissolved as dew beneath
the sunshine. Yes, let US help one
another, by endeavoripg to strength
en- and encourage the weak, and lift
ing the burden OF care from the wea-
ny and oppressed, that life may glide
smoothly on, and the fount Of bitter


ness yield sweet waters; and He,


whose willing haul is ever ready to
aid US. will reward our humble en-.
deavors, aEd every good deed will be
as "bread cast upon the waters, to re.


turn after many days" if not to US, tc


those We love.
Year: 1879

No one denies that it Is wise to
make provision for old age, but we
are not all agreed as to the kind Of
provision it is best to lay in. Ger
tainly We shall want little money,
for a destitute old man is indeed a
sorry sight; yes. save money by all
means. But an old man needs just
that particular kind OF strength which
young men are most apt to waste
Many a foolish young fellow will
throw away on a holiday a certain
amount OF nervous energy which he
will never feel the want OF until be is
seventy. and then how much he will
want it! 1t is curious, but true, that
"a bottle Of champagne at twenty will
intensity the rheumatism at three
score. Il is fact, that everlasting
the eyes occurs at forty instead OF
sixty. We advise our young readers
to be saving of health for their old
age, for the maxim holds good in re-
gard to health as to money-"Waste
not, want not" 1t is the greatest
mis- AXE to suppose that violation ol
the laws OF health can escape its pen
ty. Nature forgives no sin, no error
she let's off the offender for fifty years
sometimes, but she catches him al
last. and inflicts the punishment just
where, and just how he feels it most
Save np for old age, but save knogl-
edge; save the recollection OF good
and noble needs, innocent pleasures
aud pure thoughts; save friends; save
love. Save rich stores OF that kind
OF wealth which time cannot diminish
nor death take away.
Year: 1879

horrors that can find no reproduction
in words.


The snow had again suddenly slip
ped from the lantern, and the red
light flashed out as the eyes OF fiends,
clearly giving in view the dangers
ahead, and the kneeling, praying
woman and innocent child. Above
the roar and Kissing of steam, the jar
and rafting OF wheels, the wailing OF
wind and rattering OF sleet they
fancied they could hear her frantic
shrieks for safety and mercy, and
with bated breath, clen ched teeth and
closed eyes they stood while the
monster engine rushed upon the hu-
man prey and carried them 10 their
own doom. Sum up all life, bring
every terror and agony of three
score years into the shortest ticking
of the clock, aud they could never
have known more of utter despair
and misery than in that brief uncer-
tainty.


Their blood refused to stir, their
hearts ro act, their limbs to move; and
then, with a turn OF swift and unex
pected as to throw them from their
feet. engineer and fireman lay piled
together upon the plow OF the cab,
and the Monarch rushed down a
short switch, leaped in its headlong
speed the obstacles at the end,
and cooled lis heart of fire in the
surging waters!


Savedl Woman and child. engi-
neer and fireman, savedl But all
their forms were alike limp and nerv-
less when carried into the watch
house by the bridge, and. long before
their tongues could utter the words,
their hearts breathed blessings upon
him whose forethought had rescued
their lives when all hope was gone
and they were sinking tU the lowest
/ depths OF black despair.


A few days later the Monarch rolled
into the home-station, and loud were
the praises showered upon Dick ELL
lott aud the fireman. But they were
voiceless. They had TO nearly clasp
hands with death, and stood beneath
the shadow of eternity To care for
human'applause, and days PASSED be-
fore even the superintendent learned
the history OF that fearful midnight
ride, aud the lie and death that hung
upon the clear flashing Of a REQ
signal.
Year: 1879

The district that the latc Gustave
Schielcher represented in Congress
was the largest in the country. 1t
took in the whole southwestern part
OF Texas, from the Mexican frontier
balf way beyond San Ant nio. Della
ware, Rhode Island and New jersey
could have been packed away in 1t
without covering all the ground. To
hold a convention in that district was
When the convention was called In
1874 there were two candidates in the
field whose strength was about equal.
The convention was called TO meet at
Brownsville and there were 125 dele
gates. The party from San Antonio
expected a siege and made prepara-
tions. They hired good cook, laid
10 two or three wagon-loads OF sup
plies, the principle items being a ton
of ice and two barrels OF whisky, and
started. 1t was almost two weeks
journey, and they took it leisurely.
On arriving at Brownsville they pitch
ed their tent, unlimbered the barrels
of whisky and then they were ready
for fight. Day after day the ballot
ing went on always with the same re-
suit, and the end apparently as far off
as ever. Finally the ice began to
grow beautifully less and even the
whisky was low in the barrel. With
the dissipation OF the ice and the fail
ure Of the whisky it was evident that
something must be done. The thir-
tieth day Of the convention was ap-
preaching, when an old siagedriver
got up and, after eulogizing the two
candidates, said that he wanted to
make a suggestion. There was one
man who knew the whole state OF
Texas. 1t was big state and there
was only one man who had tramped
all over it, That man was Gus
Schleicher. He knew every foot OF it
as surveyor. Besides that he was
an honest man end one whom all the
boys could trust. he did not want to
say anything. but on the next ballot
he should give mis- vote for Schleicher.
No one had thought OF it, but the ef-
feet was electrical. The voting had
hardly begun when the end was plain
and one of the candidates withdrew
his name. Schleicher was nominated
and the nomination made unanimous.
No one was more surprised than he.
He was speechless, and when they
called upon him he could not say a
word. He had never thought OF the
office as one he could aspire TO, for
the competition was bitter and be.
tween two popular lawyers. He at
tempted to say something, but burst
out into tears and sat down. The
boys gave him another round OF
cheers, and from that day to this not
man in the convention regretted
the vote that he gave.
Year: 1879

The cattle men of the United States
are up in arms against Canada and


the British Government. They deny
positively that there exists among
American cattle anything in the
shape of a contagious disease, and
claim that the whole trouble has been
brought about by the Canadians, who
desire to bull the market, as it were.
Year: 1879

most to the exclusion of such Democrats as
had worn the blue instead of the gray dur
ing the war of rebellion We can name on e
Democrat, from Pennsylvania, who fought
bravely during the war on the Union side,
and rose to the command of a division, so
good and so able q man and soldier was he,
who has been made football between the
two Houses of Congress since the Democrats
came into power, and has for q brief period
been permitted to drive mail wagon and
deliver their mail to Senators and Represent
atives in Congress, who he had met and
vanquished ON the battlefield. Thus he
has been appreciated and humiliated for the
simple reason that he fought on the wrong
side during the rebellion. After enduring
this rebuff and modification, we infer from
% remark he has made that he has had
about enough Of that sort of thing, and is
seriously contemplating party emancipa-
ton.


The Democrats have taught the Republic
cans lesson which they should profit by
in shaping their course relating to patron
age, and through every department down
to the District government tickets of leave
should be promptly rendered TO every
Democrat now holding position under Re-
publican rule, until that source of COM
plant on the part of Southern Republicans
or any other man shall be fully removed.
Year: 1879

THE New York Herald has more trouble
with politics and politicians than au incom-
petent mother has with q large family of
small children. Something goes wrong all
the time. 1t is now greatly distressed be-
cause some one has intimated that if Cen
eral GRANT shall determine to come into
New York before the State election trans
pires, monster meeting will be organized
to honor the ex-President Such an intima-
ton is little too much for the nerves OF
the Herald, and it hysterically exclaims:


No greater indignity could be put upon the
lllustrious traveller than to lead him about the
political circus for the benefit of lot of office
seekers.


If the Herald will be calm and composed
and await the coming of General GRANT to
New York, il will witness a monster meet
ing of more than million of people who
will delight to do him honor This futile
"dalliance" of the Herald with the inevita-
BILE betrays n weakness on its part that
betokens sad disappointment for it, when
the people shall move in this matter of
honoring General GRANT, and of providing
through him for the future peace and well
fare of the common country.
Year: 1879

the nomination, and he also knows that
such talk as this will not seriously inter-
fere with his denomination so long MS
his bar'l is open or so long as the Southern
Home Rulers understand that what he says
before the election and what he will do af-
ter it, in the event of his success, will not
necessarily be consistent. A sly old fox is
SAMMY.
Year: 1879

IT is reported from Washington that anti
Administration Republicans are trying to
dissuade Senator BLAINE from taking part
in the Ohio campaign. Their argument is
that it will be best for his Presidential pros
poets if FOSTER shall be defeated that such
result will slap HAYES and dispose of SHER-
MAN at the same time. All that is needful to
be said of such counsel, if indeed it may be
true, is that the authors of such drivel aIe
too contemptiblc to exercise the right of citi-
zenship.-SyrdcaSe Journal,


We trust that our respected cotemporary
has been misinformed, but if it should turn
out that there is any truth in the report
referred to, and there are any Republicans
who desire the defeat Of FOSTER, we most
heartily join in the anathema pronounced
upon them by it in fitting terms, They
belong with GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS, the
Nation, the IVestiche Post, and other sore
heads in the Republican party, who are
plotting for the election of ROBINSON over
CORNELL in New York. We are against
all such Republicans, be they whom and
where they may.
Year: 1879

TIE TuDEN interview printed in our
news columns yesterday wherein the Cipher
Ogre was permitted to give vent to his


views regarding the Southern question was
the result, undoubtedly, of a characteristic


endeavor on his part to create public opinion


in his favor or in favor of his denomination.


1t is Of a piece with his anti-Southern claims


letter written just before his nomination


at st. Louis in 1876. That letter was u
direct slap at the Southern wing of the
Democratic party and rebuke Of the most
emphatic kind of the particular and pecu-
liar policy of the Southern Brigadies. But
il was no more of a rebuke to them than is
to be found in the reputation and denun-
ciation of their bogus Home Rule, which
forms the significant part of the interview
in question. The truth is, this interview,
like that letter, is a bid from TILDEN loI
popularity among the people of the North
and the conservative element of the
Democracy in general lie knows that il
he is renominated the South will be
compelled to support him, aud that the
enunciation of such views just now may
serve to add strength to his candidacy s't'r
Year: 1879

UNCLE SoLoN CHASE, of Maine, COM
plains Of Secretary SHERMAN for putting
"too much hog into the dollar" using a
figure Of speech which took nightly in
Maine, tits said, and the invention of which
caused SoLON to be regarded as n genius of
the first water. BY substituting the word
hog for value he was able to reach the aver
age intellect of the down Casters and make
some converts to his theory. But if Uncle
SOLoE doesn't like dollar with much hog
in it, he should sell q yoke Of them stcersp
for Confederate dollars There's no hog in
them-not bristle-not a kmk of q suck
ing pigs tail-and by taking that kind Of
money he would realize an immense profit
on his steers, and at the same time pay u
practical tribute TO that kind of fnancier-
ing which has most successfully eliminated
the hog from the dollar.
Year: 1879

THE CHALMERS plan of electing Presi-
dental Electors in the Southern States by
the legislatures instead of the people is be-
ing matured down South, and will be car
ried out in due course of time. 1t is the
plan of the aristocacy, of the political no.
bility, as it were, and of the self-constituted
governing classes Of that section But it is a
plan against which the masses of the people
will rebel when it is put IN operation, and
one which is not calculated in the long run
to add to the popularity Of its promoters
Year: 1879

THE enthusiasm manifested by the school
children of San Francisco for General
GRANT yesterday shows in a striking man.
ner the hold which this illustrious indi-
vidual has upon the unbiased affections of
the American people. These children, too
young TO be imbued with party jealousies
and hatred, reflect the sentiment of the
great non-political element of the country,
and indicate the position which General
GRANT will hold in the estimation of pos
terity.
Year: 1879

THERE is nothing more narrowing TO the sympa-
thetic mind than to hear crying baby. DR.. Bulls
Baby Syrup will give instant relief to the little
sufferer. For sale III all drug stores
Year: 1879

1t is given out that while Thurman
and Bayard are being discussed and
urged for the Democratic Presidential
nomination, Tilden is hard at work
quietly making his arrangements for
capturing the convention Just as he did
last time. The Democratic party does
not want him in 1850; but then it did
not want him in 1876. lie was nomi-
mated because he wanted it. The ci-
pher dispatches place Tilden at a dis
advantage before the country, but the
notion that Tilden would be offensive
to his party because of the immortality
of his conduct or his want of principle
is simply amusing.
Year: 1879

If we knew the cares and crosses


Crowded around our neighbor's way
If we knew the little losses


Sorely grievious day by day,
Would we then so often chide him


For his lack OF thrift aud gain
Leaving on his hearth a shadow,


Leaving on our lines q stain?
lf we knew the clouds above us


Held 10y gentle blessings there,
Would we turn away all trembling


In our blind and weak despair?
Would we shrink from little shadows


Lying in the dewy grass,
W hilst 'tis only birds OF Eden


Just in mercy, flying past?
II we knew the silent story


Quivering through the heart Of pain
Would our womanhood dare doom then


Back to haunis of guilt again?
Life has many tangled crossing;


Joy hath many break of woe.
And the cheeks, tear washed. are whites


This the blessed angels know.
Let us reach within our bosoms


For the key to other lives,
And with love toward erring nature,


Cherish good that still survives;
So that when our dissolved spirits


Soar to realms Of light again.
We may say, dear Father. judge us,


AS we judge our fellsw>men.
Year: 1879

From Tempiars' Guide.)


Of all the agencies at work under
Divine Providence, for the improve
ment and refinement of the human
race, / regard woman's influence as
the most potent. Her influence, though
noiseless and quiet, is almost infinite
in its extent and power.


To woman, belongs the potent
charm, to curb the violence of man
and restrain him in his recklessness.
Take away her influence, and society
would at once fall into state OF chaos
and commotion. How important,
then. that she should exert the inAu-
ence at her command in the great re-
formation of the day, Of which none is
more important than the Temperance
reformation There is certainly no
work in which she is more interested,
as there is certainly no evil from which
she suffers more. Poor woman! how
Year: 1879

GREENvILLE, KY, April 4.
Editor Herald:


1 have been asked by several OF
your subscribers, why my last letter
did not appear in the Herald. have
told them the reason is for want OF
space, crowded out by local items.


Your paper is growing in interest
in this county. have been told there
is more news from this county in its
columns than from any other source.
l hope to have your subscription list
increased from this county.


WoodsOn, of the Echo, will next
week, issue an enlarged Echo; has q
new press, new type, and you may
look out for the Echo in an entire new
dress, he hopes to make the paper a
medium of news, unsurpassed by any
paper in this section of the State, but
l am inclined to think he will have to
labor industriously to come up with
the Herald. however w. is an ener.
getic industrious youth, spicy writer
and all these are essential to success,
he will come booming.


You are mistaken, when you say
Burrel Bilbro, rhymist of some ce.
lebrity in this county, is dead. Bur.
rel is alive, and kicking away, in
Year: 1879

'Tis the voice of the drunkard, I've heard
him repine,
"You have stopped me too soon. give mt
little more vine,
A little more brandy or a little more gin
To quench this burning fever that is rag


ing within.
And when he gets up. see how feeble and
pale,


As he walks to the bar room for little


more ale;
And there of the bar-keeper he will beg


and he will crave
For little more drink to put him in his


grave.
o! went to lis house, and the sight


that saw,
As he lay IN the corner on a bundle Of


straw,
A nd ths clothes that were on him were


hanging in rags;
Thus he drinks all his money till he


starves and he begs.
Says to myself, here is lesson for me,
That man is picture of what might be
But God bless the Good Templars for


what they have done;
They have taught me all times strong


liquor to shun.
And sisters and biothers.i .if any you know
Upon this dark drunksrd's road 10 like


for to go,
o! pass not them by with sneer and


grudge,
But talk to them kindly, and bring them


into the lodge.
And when they come IN and see us all


there,
And with firm step, they will walk to


the Worthy Chiefs chair.
Ills there we shall encircle them in a
neat little band,
Aud each sister and brother will give him
their hand.
We ne'er shall upbraid them for what
they have done.
But advise them all times the strong Ii
quor TO shun.
We will talk To them kindly to keep on
the right road
AndItry to make them once more IN the
image of God.-[Templars' Guide.
Year: 1879

Oh, woman, dearest boon to man


That God unto our lot has given,
To carry on his perfect plan,


And bring the outcast nearer Heaven,
Your face inspires the willing hand,


Your children his, he works for well
And ye, the mothers Of the land,


Shall make for him heaven or hell.
Your love the guiding star to lead,


When torn the thread and rent the sail
And yours the deathless faith TO plead,
When death sweeps msdly on the gale
Above the storm he hears your cry


Above the oceans angry roar;
The hour OF peril shall pass by


Aud safely land HIM on the shore.
And ever when his skies are dark,


Midnight and tempest on the sea.
From of his trail and storm tossed barque
His thoughts shall turn to home and


thee,


For thou art still his own to lead,


His arm to nerve, his steps to guide,
His safe guard in the hour of need.


His friend. his y eetheart and his bride
Year: 1879

length cried Justify, calling the wolves
to renewed pursuit. In vain the poor
mother tried to soothc her infant, but
another fish was followed by Il fresh
Hight and precious delay of the pack.


Again and again the action was re-
peated, until at length the barking of
tw" huge dogs alarmed the wolves,
while the almost exhaust cd mother ran
past the friendly brulcs to the door of
the farmhouse, thrown open to receive
her.


The great dogs are trained to their
duty, and no sooner was the fugitive in
the house than they also retired in good
order to the same safe stronghold, leav-
ing the foi)ed wolves to rage outside.
and fall before the guns that were
speedily brought to bear upon them.


The weary mother found safety and
rest, but whether she saved any of her
fish tradition does not relate.