smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

A mother one day lost one of her child
rem, child of two years, and after long
and anxious search found him in the Atch-
en- closet, in a huge iron pot, fast asleep.
He had been left in charge of servent,
who had fulfilled her duties by taking the
child to the kitchen and then going off to
gossip. A Mrs. D of Darlington, af-
ter similar experience, found her missing
child in bread-trough, sweetly sleeping on
the dough. The trough was a very large
one, used for mixing bread for the ship
yard men, and when tull of dough usually
stood on-a low settee near the fire, that the
bread might rise the quicker. The child
during the absence of his elders from the
kitchen, crept in and made himself COM
Portable. But more amusing than this was
the case of lady who lost her baby, and
after disturbing the whole community, and
crying herself nearly blind, found baby safe
in the cradle, with clothes heaped in so
disorderly manner as to have defied pre-
vinus search
Year: 1879

A local preacher had been preaching in
the afternoon in a village not far from
Newcastle, England, and having accom-
panied one Of the chapel members to his
house, was OF course introduced to his
wife, who appeared very glad to see him,
and warmly pressed him for full quarter
of an hour to stay to tea. He at last con-
sented. While all this pressing was going
on, the husband was quietly standing by,
preparing to wash his hands and face. The
good lady then went to get the tea ready,
and it was not long before both the tea and
her temper were brewing; for hearing, as
she thought, her dearly beloved washing,
she made for the little window which COM
municated between the kitchen and pantry
where she was, and taking advantage Of his
position, more quickly than one could say
"Jack Robinson" she administered two or
three hard raps on his bald pate, accompan-
led with the exclamation "rll learn we to
bring them hungry preachers here to tea
every time they come to preach !"


AS soon as the unfortunate individual
could get the soap-suds out of his eyes he
began to think what it all meant, but could
come to no other conclusion than that the
old lady had made a sad mistake which
she also found out, for upon returning to
the parlor, she saw her husband patiently
awaiting his turn to wash.


~)~-
Year: 1879

Many persons who cross the upper ferry,
on the Hudson, may have noticed rows of
small wooden boxes, about the size of an
ordinary soap box, placed few yards
apart These boxes have covers on top,
and wire screens on the bottom to admit
fresh water. These contain small eels
which, at this season of the year, are
caught by thousands near the State dam in
the following manner: The agent of the
fish commissioner proceeds to some small
outlet or .mill-tail at ebb tide or Slack water
and with small screen, similar to those
used for sitting flour, which he dips into
the eddies, sometimes gathering as many as
a thousand at dip. 1t is nothing unusual
to gather half million at one fishing
When caught they are placed in these boxes
in running water, until enough are accum-
ulated to make shipment. They are then
placed in ordinary milk cans, which con-
tain about two inches of soft sewer mud
with packing swail of marsh grass, newly
cut, upon which the eels are placed to work
their way gradually to the bottom. Then
another layer of grass is placed on this.
The whole is covered with small piece OF
ice to regulate the temperature, and then
they are ready for transportation. AT the
present time they are being shipped to
Michigan under the supervision of Grin nj.
Chase, who for the past SIX years has been
connected with the State Fish Commission
er, Seth Green, and has had entire control
of the catching and shipping of these I'M
mense numbers of small eels Yet there
seems to be no decrease as each season
brings its millions to our water. Eels are
said to deposit their spawn in the same
manner as other fish and, according to the
best authorities, who have of late years
carefully investigated the matter, theil
spawn is deposited in the mud in the
winter and incubated by the warn temper


ature of the water in June.
Year: 1879

A little while ago we were reminded
of our Indebtedness to heather women
for the fashionable wrist ornaments
known as "bangles." Let US return
thanks this time to the Sek-hoan woman
China for the peculiar style of ar
ranging in so called bangs" with which
so many of our young ladies are pleased
to cover up their broad, fair foreheads.
And to these young friends ye commend
the addition of the "blue cloth" to pro-
duce that unity of effect which in these
days is thought SO desirable. Mrs.
Richie writes in the Messenger and
Missionary Record Iondon:) 1.-THE
women at the three Posla stations part
their hair across from ear to ear, comb
ing it down over the foreheads to the
eyes. The back hair is twisted up in
knot on the top of the head. Then they
put on piece of blue cloth, longer than
wide, fold bit of it back like broad
hem. let the two front corners hang
loose. and tie the two back ores togeth-
er, tucking them in. It looks just like
sun bonnet, and gives them. with their
peculiar dressing of the hair. a very
wild weird appearance. They retain



much more of the savage look than the
men.-Heathen Wonaan's Friend.
Year: 1879

There were but 10 Democrats who
voted on Monday with the minority in
the House in favor of declaring that mo
legislation changing the law in regard
to the currency or tariff should be un-
dertaken at the present session of Con-
gress." Nevertheless. but for the repre-
hensible habit which representatives of
the great commercial constituencies have
of absenting themselves from Monday
sessions. majority would probably have
been obtained for the resolution. While
such vote would have fallen short of
the two-thirds required for its passage,
the fact that the resolution lacked but
ten votes of a majority is regarded as
an indication that none of the wild f.
nancial projects for whose introduction
the Greenbackers and their allies are
struggling with zeal worthy of a bet
ter cause, has any chance of adoption
during the present session.
Year: 1879

Haste, hoary Winter Loose thy weary chain
From the dull heavens and the deadened earth,
That the soft bloom of flowers. the gladsome birth
OF bloss'my Spring may visit us again.
No feathery leaflets futter en- the line;
No flower-buds bursting, gem the sward beneath;
No song birds warble with melodious breath,
As IN the joyous flush of Summertime.
Thy touch hath chilled the greenness from the bough
Robbed the still forest of its pleasing shade;
Thy wild breath swept the flowers from the glade,
And birds have fed to balmier regions now.
Then haste thee, in thy ice-wheeled car, away
To the ice-carven deserts of the Nolth
That the Queen-maden Spring may venture forth,
And gladden. hill and meadow with her sway
In her soft hands beaker brimmed with buds
On her soft lips burst of youthful song;
The sunshine in her shadeess eyes among
The sleeping boughs shall quicken all the woods.
Then shall the joyous merle mid SPRAYS
or pink-hushed hawthorn join the robins glee,
And the glad thrush sing softly from the tree,
Filling the clear air with his loveful lays.
Then shall the stream make gentle murmurng,
In amber light between new blossomed trees,
And all the butterflies and golden bees
Winnow the warm air in the wake of pring.
Along the green bank on the velvet sod
All bright with flowers, my daily walk shall be;
And these shall turn my thankful heart to Thee
Their painter and their maker who art God


-Chdmber's Journal
Year: 1879

nave always hepe IdHlly expense
book, and on various occasions have
habit, like most people who keep accounts
and weather statistics and diaries, of
referring to 1t any time when | want
confirmation or condemnation of any
theory relating to the subject. l took
the nine months just past, and found
the whole cost of uncooked provisions
for each member of my family, sligo per
week, or "a cents per day. The only
rules that had governed the family mar
keting were: What we wanted, and
prudence-which should always govern
the family expenditures whatever the
income may be. Had there been stern
er necessity for economy, the expense
might have been considerably reduced.
and yet left plenty to live upon comfort
ably and healthfully, and to entertain
friends occasionally at our table.


Now, somebody will sneeringly ask
how can anybody live decently for SLIGO
per week for food for each person? So
I am going to tell you how it is done in
this family:


First. we can pay for everything we
buy, and in that way we can buy when
ever the price and article suits us best.
Then we are not tempted to buy more
than we need or can properly afford, as
we should be if payment was matter of
the vague future. Again, we always
take the advice of the publishers of the
great dictionary. and ''Get the best" for
the best has the least amount of waste
or shrinkage in cooking. And, lastly,
we have many ways of gathering up the
fragments, SO literally that nothing
is lost"


AS to what we do have to eat, l can
give you bill of fare for the year round,
varied in minor particulars by the sea-
son: For breakfast, always a dish of
hominy or cracked wheat, two kinds of
bread and butter, usually cold, and al
ways the fruit or berries of the season.
Part of the family have tea or coffee,
and part drink water, from choice; but
water-drinking is no economy, for more
food is required than if tea or coffee is
taken. For dinner, there is always some
appetizing soup. of which the variety is
nearly endless then course of substan-
tial roast beef, or mutton or lamb, or
poultry. with one or two vegetables of
the season; and lastly, dessert of fruit
or berries, either fresh or cooked. For
supper we have the many varieties of
bread, except hot bread. which is both
unhealthful and fearfully extravagant;
fruit again, usually stewed, and some
kind of plain cake for those who have
not yet entirely outgrown their New
England bringing up. Of course there
is always butter and the "cup that
cheers


This list only names the unvarying
substantials, but my expense book has
numerous other items, such as fish, eggs,
rice and edible grains of all kinds. We
are Jews after the strictest sect in the
matter of pork. never suffering it on our
table, whether by the name of pork, ham,
sausage or lard. Many housekeeper
will exclaim, "What do you do without
lard % but we should be puzzled to
know what to do with it. Good, sweet
butter serves for the little pastry we
have, and for everything else roast beef
drippings and suet are much better than
lard. Sometimes we indulge in unhealthy
but beloved since our childhood
baked beans, and we find suet much
better for cooking with them than pork.
Golden Rule.
Year: 1879

Almost every pleasant afternoon a
gray haired, placid looking old man can
be seen on the western piazza of the
farmhouse, with grandchild on each
knee. 1t is Mr.. Wilson, who often
thanks God that one of his daughters
married "only farmer"
Year: 1879

TApIocA CREAM.-Three tablespoon
fuls of tapioca, one quart of milk, three
eggs, one cupful of sugar. Flavor with
lemon or vanilla. Soak the tapioca in
little water over night. After rinsing
put it in milk and let it cook soft. Add
sugar and yolks of eggs. Whip the
whites stiff and pour on the tapioca. as
you remove it from the fire. 1t should
be cooked in tin pail, set in kettle
of boiling water to prevent the milk
from scorching. Eat cold.
Year: 1879




That is pathetic little tale which
the Cleveland Herald tells of little
girl between two and three years of age
evidently lost and weeping bitterly. A
lady took the baby's hand and asked
where she was going.


"Down to find my papa," was the
sobbing reply.


"What is your papa's name?" asked
the lady.


"His name is papa"


"But what is his other name? What
does your mamma call him p"


"She calls him papa" persisted the
little creature.
The lady then tried to lead her along
saying;


"You had better come with me. I
guess you came this way?"


"Yes, but don't want to 60 back,
l want to find my papa" replied the
little girl, crying as if her heart would
break.


"What do you want of your papa ?"
asked the lady.


81 want to kiss him"


Just at that time sister of the child
who had been searching for her came
along and took possession of the little
runaway. From inquiry it appeared
that the little ones papa. whom she
was earnestly seeking, had recently died
and she. tired of waiting for him to
come home. had gone out to find him.
Year: 1879

Negro Exodus and Chinese Labor


Washington, April PA democrat
ic politician from Mississippi, who
owns plantation, said the negro exo-
dus to the western states would put a
new phase on the question of Chinese
immigration. He believed that several
thousand Chinese would be employed
in the south this summer to take the
places of the negro laborers who are re-
moving to the west.


Sixty of the negroes employed by the
gentleman had emigrated westward,
and he should, if possible, employ Chi
namen to succeed them.


The southern congressman will hard
ly oppose Chinese immigration if the
planters are compelled to seek the SER
vices Of the Celestials.


Appropriation Bills and Military Affairs.


Washington, April 21.-The agree
ment of the republican caucus, Friday
night, to abstain from dilatory motions
during the Monday sessions of the
house Of representatives having re
moved all distractions to the introduce
ton Of bills under call of the states, an
avalanche Of new measures may be ex-
pected to-day and all the house COM
mittees will undoubtedly proceed to
bring forward general legislation.
The senate committee do not as yet
manifest any inclination to transact
any general business, but the pressure
to enter upon it if the house sets the
example by any considerable number
of bills, will probably prove too strong
to be long resisted. 1t is the present
intention of the democratic majority to
press the army appropriation bill to a
vote in the senate, if possible, before
the close of this week, in order to send
it to the president in advance of the
reception of the legislative, executive
and judicial appropriation bill from the
house. The general debate on the lat
ter measure will close in the house next
Friday, but discussion of the amend
ments under the five minute rule is ex-
pected to consume several days subse-
qunntly. Speculation is rife among
the army officers concerning the proba-
BILE outcome of the recent hesitating
action of the senate military affairs
committee on the subject of army pro-
motions. The question whether the
prohibitory clause of last years law is
still in force, has, at the instance Of this
committee been referred to the
senate committee on judiciary by whom
a report will probably be presented in
the senate, in the executive session,
during the next few days. The best
informed opinion seems to be that should
the report be favorable to the pending
nominations they will be promptly
confirmed by the senate. The Thir-
teenth and Twenty-fourth infantry
regiments have been notified that they
will change stations this year.
Year: 1879

tions to the use and occupancy of
the Grand canon of Arkansas for rail-
road purposes. The DEGREES of the
circuit court are reversed, with direc-
tions to set aside not only the order
granting the injunction against the
Denver 6 Rio Grande railway COM
pany, but the order dissolving the in
junction granted in its favor, and dis
missing its bill. BY proper orders en-
tered in each suit the court below will
recognize the prior right Of that COM
pany to use and occupy Grand cafion
for the purpose of the construction of
its road therein, and will enjoin the
Canon City & San Juan company from
interfering with that company in such
use, occupancy and construction. JUS
tice Harlan delivered the opinion, Chief
Justice Waite dissenting.


Although the prior right of the Den
yer company is recognized, the court
holds, as those portions of Grand cafion
which are too narrow to admit of the
construction and operation Of more
than one road bed and track, the right
of the Canon city company to use such
road bed and track in common with
the Denver company should be secured
by proper orders and upon such terms
as may be equitable, having regard to
cost Of construction and maintenance
Of the track in good order.


Converted to Hard Money Doctrine.


Washington, April 21.-De LaMatyr
has become converted to sound money
principles, and that bill which he intro
duced yesterday, directing the issue of
81, 900, 100000 of greenbacks was
neither more nor less than sly stab at
what he now sees to be the folly of his
late brethren of the greenback per-
suasion.
Year: 1879

DR.. Walter Bailey, of New Orleans,
has in his possession what he believes
to be real yellow fever germ. Look
ing at the particles through microscope
it appears to be q cloudy or colored sub
stance divided in all directions by lines
or fibers taking the form of grapevine,
which are somewhat darker in color
than the main body of the substance.
Scattered about these lines irregularly
are several specks or spores of a dark
brown with minute light speck in the
center. The germ, which has formed
upon the inner surface of the lower
glass in the eye piece of the microscope,
is Invisible to the naked eye; but when
a certain focus of less power than that
under which the above description is
made is obtained, the particles resemble
dust mixed with linen fibers.


AS to the origin of the substance, DIR.
Bailey states that it so happened that he
took out his microscope and cleaned it
about the first of September last, when
the yellow fever was raging in an cpl
demic form in New Orleans, and care
fully rubbing and drying the glasses
with chamois skin the instrument was
closed up and laid away in dry place
in the wardrobe, where it remained
until five weeks later, when. upon tax
ing it out to examine some deposit in p
case of Bright's disease, nothing could
be seen but the peculiar half transparent
substance which appeared upon one
the glasses. After examining The glasses
carefully the doctor came to the conclu-
sion that the object on the glass was n


ort Of vegetable of the fungus order
which had grown upon the inside of the
microscope after it was closed up and
put away. He is certain that the glass
was perfectly clean when he put the in
strument in the wardrobe, because he
remembers distinctly that he looked
through carefully to see that it was all
right, it being his sole purpose to have
1t ready for use.
Year: 1879

Several articles and letters have been
printed in the German papers of late
lauding the efficacy of the sting of the
common bee rs cure for gout. Here is
one of the latest of these communica-
tions, which appeared in the Augsburg
Erening Gazette: | was lying in bed,
says thu writer, suffering from Il heavy
attack Of gout, accompanied with violent
pains in my left foot, when CHANGED to
read in a newspaper in article describ-
ing how gout may be cured by the sting
of bees. [ ut once determined to try the
remedy, and soon contrived a small box
by means of which captured bee could
be applied to the afflicted part. I then
let my foot be stung by three bees in
succession, each bee leaving his sting
behind in my flesh. After few minutes,
these stings were extracted; and when
the pain caused by them had subsidized, I
found that the equity pain had also left
me. On the same day I left my bed, and
on the morrow was able to walk about.
For some little time my foot was slight
ly infamed, and I experienced some
burning sensation, but in four or five
days this left me, and Twas completely
recovered.
Year: 1879

friends and went to New York. To all
appearances he was in the possession o


everything that would conduce to the
comfort and enjoyment of man. His


profitable legal practice may be in part
ascribed to the fact that he was brother
of William S. Groesbeck, who was one
of the great legal lights of the Ohio BAR
and who had been occasionly mentioned
rs an available candidate for high politi-
cal positions. The Cincinnati CONNER
cial tells the sad story of John Groes-
beck's fall. His dead body was dis
covered floating near one of the North
river piers, and his identity was fixed
by a ring inside of which his name was
inscribed. The cause of the dependency
which led to his death was the loss of
his estate in stock speculations. Hewas
very cautious in his ventures for a long
time, and esteemed one of the most con-
servative operators on the street, but he
was gradually tempted further in and
damaged, and the crowning blow was
the loss. of over 100000 on Western
Union Telegraph stock, which rose
rapidly when he had sold for a decline.
Year: 1879

A Seaford (Del.) correspondent of the
Wilmington EUery Saturday lately saw
an old man named Giles Kitchens, who,
twenty-five years ago, was the principal
actor in tragedy similar to that en-
story was that during the night he had
heard the voice of God which COM
manded him to kill his little son and
offer his blood rs sacrifice. In the
morning he went to the woods and was
again commanded. US he said, to make
the offering. He did not dare to,disobey
and went back to the house where the
babe was sleeping and its mother watch.
ing over him. Not wishing to alarm
his wife he waited until she went out
and then took the child in his arms ant
carried it to the potato-patch. having in
the mean time prepared a keen knife.
Then he waited, like Abraham, hoping
that the Lord would speak to him again
and command some other offering. but
he received no sign. Then he became
alarmed, lest his wife might he watch
ing, and crossing the field went into the
woods, where he laid the child upon
some fallen leaves and again prayed.
During the prayer little dog run up to
him and shifted about his feet. SuppOS-
ing that. like Abraham's ram, this dog
had been sent by the Lord in place OF
the child. he waited to hear voice
commanding him to kill the dog. but no
voice said "Stay thy hand" and he held
the struggling infant while he cut its
throat and offered up its blood to the
Lord. Then takin,; the body in lliS
arms he bore it to the house, the blood
dripping rs he walked, and laid it upon
the bed. His wife, rushing from the
house, frantically told the neighbors and
they arrested him.


The trial occurred the following
April and the prosecution was vigorous.
George p. Fisher was attorney general.
and Chancellor Salisbury, then prom
ising young lawyer, defended lIitchrnS.
After the State had closed its case Mr.
Salisbury rose to make 4 defence. hui
was so overcome with emotion at the
sadness of the circumstances that he was
unable to continue and broke completely
down. The court and jury were also at
fected, and the latter, without leaving
the box, returned n verdict of "not
guilty." upon the plea OF insanity.
Kitchens was taken to the county aims
house. where he remained for some
time, but was finally discharged and re-
turned to his home.
Year: 1879

The Charleston (S.C.) Mews thinks that
on the large farms in the South work
would 60 on more Systematically ifmaps
were made of the whole property {:
Every farmer should have a complete
map of his farm, with each field, pasture
and wood lot,. together with all the
fences, roads and bitches, plainly drawn
and numbered or named, so they can be
readily designated. Few farmers can
appreciate the real value of one until
they have tried the experiment; for, with
q map of the farm before you, you can
direct your worKmen to any part of it
without the possibility of their making
q mistake. You can plan your improve
ments and estimate their cost at your
leisure, instead of spending half a day
Of valuable time surveying the land itself.
1t should be about twelve feet square, or
larger if desired, and drawn on thick
card board, to prevent its being torn
or defaced. Let our farmers try the eX-
pertinent; they will soon learn its value.
All necessary surveys may be made when
other farm work is not pressing, and the
map may be drawn and the lots num-
bcred in the winter evenings" II may
be a question whether in the smaller
Northern farms the same practice would
not be often profitable.