smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

Merchants, even at the risk of being called
''imps of darkness" ''Shylocks,'' and like
names by the Greenback papers, insist that
their business is better. Sales, they say, are
larger, collections are easier, and the de-
mand upon manufacturers sharp and extern
sive. In articles of necessity, like food and
clothing, the demand is Enthusiastically in
creasing. Articles of luxury are still slow to
SELL The country has not yet that surplus
above its debts which will justify lavish ex-
penditure.


From all over the land come reports of re-
turning prosperity. The crops promise
abundant returns, the retail trade is brisker
than it has been for years, and there is an
eager call for all the great staples. The up
ward movement is very apparent in Portland
and in nearly every branch of trade mer-
chants report increased sales. The wholesale
clothiers indeed say that they have consider
able difficulty in loading their counters. The
old mill stocks are used up and no goods can be
got until more are manufactured. In many
lines there is great scarcity. The shoe shops
all over the State are starting up. At the
great centres of the shoe trade, Lewiston
and Auburn, advertisements for workmen
are posted on the walls of the factories. The
farming interest is at least holding it's own,
and the crop prospects are excellent. There
is more call for labor than for a long time
past, and the indications are strong that ev-
erything, except speculation, is on the mend
ing hand. Business is certainly not ''boom-
ing'' as it did in the years during and follow
ng the war. 1t will not, until the Govern
ment comes into the market again as Gus
toner for material of war; but business is
on a sounder basis than it has been since
1860, and men can make contracts with the
assurance that the value of dollar will not
vary between the time the contract is made
and the time of it's fulfillment.


Everybody except those prophets of disas-
ter who thrive on the expectation of hard
times will rejoice at this favorable turn in
affairs. The Greenback papers will doubt
less strive to discredit it, but the great mass
of Greenbackers will be delighted at the
comingof more prosperous times even though
the revival of business prove their theories
wrong
Year: 1879

THE Shoe and Leather Reporter cautions
tanners against swindling firms who have 10
Gated in different cities, and sent orders to
country tam RS for leather. Their mode of
operating ha been substantially the same in
every instar can inquiry as to the kind of
goods manuf etured, i the cost, the ans
wer to be followed by an order, for which
cash returns would be promised. 1t is need
less to say that when the firm once got holu
OF the leather, the tanner saw the last of it,
and never got his pay
Year: 1879

We do not read anonymous letters and communi-
cations. The and address of the writer are in
all Indispensable not necessarily for publica
ton but as a guaranty Of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return or preserve COM
munications that are not used.
Year: 1879

EVERY regular attache of the PRESS is furnished
with Card certificate countersigned by Stanley T..
Pullen, Editor. All railway steamboat and hotel
managers will confer favor upon us by demanding
credentials of every person claiming to represent
iourna1
Year: 1879

TIE Sun thinks the Democratic party has
all it can do to elect President next time
If it keeps steadily on its good behavior. A
little seasoning of the contest with secession
sentiment OF unconstitutional taxes will de-
eide the election in favor of the Republicans
Year: 1879

GENERAL GRANT reaches Japan without
the aid of Government vessel and leaves
the country in Pacific mail steamer Still
the Democratic papers will go on talking
bout his ''junketing at the expense of the
United States Government" The facts will
not trouble them-for the facts will be ig-
nored.
Year: 1879

Returning and permanent prosperity
to the South seems assured. After
long years Of patient and almost hope
less toll, light breaks upon this sec
tion and we begin to feel strong and
self.reliant. From every part of the
South, except in portions of Texas,
where a drouth prevailed, we have
the most encouraging reports. The
cotton crop is unprecedented and
brings astonishing prices. To-day, as
we write, it has an upward tendency.
tits safe to say that the South will re-
alize $S0,0O0,0OO more on the cotton
crop of this year than last. The farm
ers are getting out of debt and having
q surplus. For the first time since the
war they begin to feel independent and
to look with confidence to the future.
A gratifying fact is generally reported
that, while the free dmen have gener-
ally worked well when not misled by
agents of an exodus scheme, the pro-
portion of cotton raised by white
labor is constantly on the increase and
is much larger than any former year in
our history. A hardy, industrious,
intelligent generation Of young men
have grown up since the war, whose
labor in the fields is beginning to be
felt. From out Of the ashes
of our poverty and mis-
fortune our people have arisen
and worked out great problem. Itwas
not done by great statesmen nor blat-
ant politicians, who pretend to take
such an interest in the dear people,
nor by conventions or legislation, but
by the people themselves. Their in
dOmitable energy has triumphed.
The fields are white and the ware
houses of the great marts groan with
the produce of their labor. Some Of
our merchants here are buying cotton
in Liverpool to-day over the wires,
Theprosperity we have, however, is not
confined to merchants and bankers il
is diffused among all classes, and
all share part of the general benefit.
This is the peace offering the SANDER
edSouth brings to the nation and to the
world. We are doing our full share
to restore prosperity to the whole
country, and feel that we can hold our
own in this effort with any other sec.
ton. We are slowly but surely work.
ing out our destiny, and will eventu
ally develop our resources, take ad
vantage OF superior climate and soil
and make this one of the most pros
porous and delightful quarters of The
globe.
Year: 1879

THE Chicago Times, one of the
thre newspapers that published Sher
mans report and the Presidents
message, before these documents were
read to con, ,gress, boasts of the achiev-
ment and calls it enterprise" Such
enterprise cannot be repeated next
year, for such documents will be sent
to congress in manuscript, and will
only get out in full two or three days
later. The press Of the whole coun-
try will be put to Inconvenience and
suffer injury by such questionable
enterprise What these three papers
gained this time, they will more than
lose hereafter, and the worst of it is,
that all the papers and their readers
will have to bear the penalty. Legit
innate enterprise is one thing, but
stealing a document or violating a
confidence is quite another
Year: 1879

GENERAL BUTLER gives new con-
struction to portion of the Presi
dents message. He says that that
part of it which relates to the retire
ment OF legal tenders was meant to in
timidate the Supreme Court of the
United States, which is soon to decide
the constitutionality ofthe legal tender
act upon a case which was brought be-
fore it by Butler and Congressman
Chittenden.
Year: 1879

The first tour OF guard duty at West
Point was PERFORMED by the late Major
General II. w. Sherman, on one of the
most terrible nights L ever witnessed.
A storm of wind and rain arose soon af-
ter nightfall and ragged during the
greater part of the night with undated
fury, while frequent flashes of light
ming disclosed the old forts and other
picturesque surroundings of the point
only TO render it more appalling. Add
to this frequent peals of thunder echo
ing among the surrounding peaks as if
the world was coming to an end, and
you can form some idea of the scene
that comes up so vividly to my MEM
ory after the lapse of nearly half a GEN.
tury. In the midst of this terrible war
of the elements it occurred TO three OF
our cadets-one of them, perhaps, the
corporal of the guard-thaC this would
be favorable time to test the metal OF
the young "pleb' from Newport.
| shall never forget Sherman's appear
ance as he entered our tent the next
morning, his gun cut and Scared in
various places, his clothes wet and
dripping and covered with mud.
Whlthorn (also from Newport) and
myself eagerly inquired for the cause
of his plight, and were informed that
there were three men or devils-he did
not know nor care which-had ap-
preached his post in the midst of the
storm, covered with "white Sheets"
and endeavored to pass without giving
the counterslgn- One of them, armed
with a musket and fixed bayonet, at
tempted to force his way; "but," said
he, l stood my ground, and would have
run HIM through, but for his superior
skill in using the weapon" AS soon as
the young trio found that young Sher-
man meant business, they disappeared
under the cover of the darkness, leay-
ing him master of the situation, and /
doubt not. have kept their defeat to
this day profound secret. The Incl
dent, however, is too good to be lost,
and l now put it on record because l
am probably the only living man, Whit
horn having died early, that knows
anything about it; and also because it
gave unmistakable promise of the
brilliant career now a part of our ma
tional history.
Year: 1879

True hospitality is thing that
touches the heart and never goes be-
yond the circle of generous impulses.
Entertainment with the truly hOsplta-
BILE man means more than the feeding
of the body; it means an interchange
of soul gifts. Still 1t should have it's
laws. as all things good must have laws
to govern them.


The obligation to be hOspitable Is a
sacred one, emphasized by every moral
code known to the world and a prac-
tical outcome of the second great COM
mandment.


There should never be guest in the
house whose presence requires any con-.
siderable change in the domestic econo-
my.


business or mutual interests may de-
mand in entertaining a stranger, he
should never be taken into the family
circle unless he Is known to be wholly
worthy place in that sanctum sane
forum of social life; but when once a
man is admitted to the home fireside he
should be treated as if the place had
been his always.


The fact of an invitation gives neith-
er host or guest right to be master of
the others time, and does not require
even a temporary sacrifice of ones en-
tire individuality or pursuits.


A man should never be so much him
self as when he entertains friend.


To stay at a friends house beyond
the period for which one is invited Is to
perpetrate social robbery.


To abide uninvited in a friends home
is as much a dismeanor as borrowing
his coat without his permission. 1t is
debasing the coin of friendship to mere
dross when a man attempts to make it
pay his hotel bills.


Thet SO of two men having the same
occuE"'ion and interests in life gives to
Mother social right to the others bed
and board. A travelling minister has no
more right to 60 uninvited to fellow
preachers house than travelling shop
keeper or shoemaker has to go uninvit-
ed to the house of his fellow craftsman.
Men are ordained to the ministry as
preachers, teachers and pastors, and
Lot as private hotel keepers.
Year: 1879

Swinging In hammock is the very
luxury of repose. II is restful, just to
think of it; and to pass by q clump OF
shade trees, or vine curtained veran-
da, and watch the lazy swing Of one Of
these aerial couches without envy Is an
example of virtue that Is not often
vouchsafed to one with gensrous clpac-
ity for resting. The general idea is
that hammocks are only for the wealthy,
the "stylish," or professional tune
well-to-do-farmer-every owner OF a
cOZy village hOme-every y member of
stay -at-hOme club who commands
spot big enough to swing one-shonld
have a hammock. A very good one
may be bought for $3.50 to 81, or as
much higher as you choose to 60. 1t
should be hung wnere there is a good
afternoon shade, and, If intended In
part for children's use, so low that
small children can get into 1t by
the aid of box or low stool, and over
soft ground, so that the numerous tum-
bles that are probable will be harmless.
Ii no other place Is available, 1t may be
hung between the pillars of shady
veranda, place we'll enough for the
Older people who use il. but undesira-
BILE for children, on account of the lack
of soft turf, as we'll as for the noise
which accompanies Us use by the
youngsters. When children only are
70 use the hammock the manner of
hanging is not important, but If pro-
vided for the use OF grown persons it
should then be so suspended that the
head will always be considerably higher
than the feet, and much of the comfort
of one who uses it depends upon a
proper observance Of the fact. Ii you
have no more suitable place, suspend it
from the columns or veranda. The
hook which supports the head end
should be six and a quarter feet from
the floor, and that for the foot end three
and three quarters feet, and these pre-
portions should be observed wherever
it may be hung, to secure the most de-
sirable curve for the ease of the occu-
pant. Another point TO be observed;
the head end should be fastened to the
hook by rope less than a foot long
just enough to properly attach it, while
at the foot is rope four and one-half
feet long. This gives the greatest free
dom for swinging the lower part of the
body. while the head hoves but little.
This is point which cannot be OBJ
served in hammock for children, who
think more oft as swing than as a
place for comfortables-4epsse. When
trees serve for supports, ample provIs-
ion should be made to prevent injury
to the bark, by means of stout canvas or
heavy bagging between the ropes TO
which 1t is suspended and the bark.
If the hanging be so arranged that the
hammock can be taken in during long
storms it will last much longer.
Year: 1879

A gentleman and his wife arrived at
Niagara Falls, on the 10Th of July. They
were on their way from New London,
Conn.,, to their home in Minnesota, and de-
waited little from their direct route in or
der to visit the great falls. Arriving so late
they concluded that they would not go to a
hotel, and waited in the Erie depot until
after o'clock, when they started down
town to see the sights. They strayed first
down to the bank of the river just below
Winners mill. Here the gentleman at
tempted to bathe his face, when he sudden
ly became dizzy and fell helplessly into the
boiling rapids. The screams of his wife
attracted the attention of William Dinan,
who was watering his horses near by. Dinan
tied his horses to tree and rushed after the
woman, who was running toward the Cata.
ract House. Dinan says that he could Just
distinguish the form of the man in the
rapids, and he told the terrified woman that
it was Of no use to attempt the rescue, that
he would certainly go over the falls. The
woman ran through the gate leading to the
little park between the Cataract House and
the old River Hotel, and hurried down the
bank to the raceway below. Dinan fol-
lowed moment later, and his astonish-
ment can hardly be imagined when he saw
the dripping stranger sitting on the steps in
the embrace of his weeping wife. After
falling into the water the gentleman said
that he hardly realized where he was for a
moment. He could not swim, but he
struggled as best he could to reach the
shore. AS good luck would have it the
drowning man was hurled against the bulk
head of the pier enclosing the raceway back
of the Cataract House, and was carried in
10 the quiet water, where he managed to
secure hold on the masonry, and climbed
out upon terra .frnaG. The mans escape
from death was little less than miraculous
He hardly realized at first the magnitude
of the danger he had escaped He had not
seen the falls, and he asked Mr.. Dinan
whether he would have been killed to a
certainty if he had been carried over the
cataract.
Year: 1879




These strange birds staiked at the
head of the procession of domestic ami
mails and appeared to be on most ex-
cellent terms with all of them. Occas-
ionally one would deviate to the right
or left of the track to peck a mouthful
of grass, but as soon as the drover
would leave the road and shout at it, it
would Immediately fall into its proper
place and march forward with the ut
most demure gravity, as if To be guilty
OF an Infringement of rules waSthe last
thing il would think Of Ostriches al
ways have an intensely stupid look, but
they are not nearly such fools as the
uninitiated would take them for; and
although the most timid creatures on
the earth when in state of nature, in
captivity or when domesticated, they
are bold and dangerous, more especially
the males. Horse or rider indiscrimi-
nately they will attack, walking up TO
the object of their Indignation With a
quiet, measured stride, never evincing
IVA - 1iiS SNlOCIlCO VI
hostility-in fact, looking such fools
that no one would imagine them capa-
BILE of inimical ideas-when, with a
quick movement, done with great
strength and velocity, they raise their
foot and strike forward, the edges of
the toes being so sharp that they will
cut your clothes the whole length of the
stroke. AS they are too valuable to be
knocked on the head, perhaps you turn
to run from them, but their speed is
such that an attempt thus to elude them
Is useless. The only plan then to be
pursued is to throw your self down and
lie still on your face or back. They
cannot kick you In these positions, but
they will jumpon you and Jrample all
over you. While this operation is going
on you may give vent to your feelings
and satisfy your self esteem by bestow-
ing upon them a few reminders that
two can play the same game.
Year: 1879

breath, and the tone of his voice by heart.


He was very happy with Lucy Swallow,
they say. haven't been. But it was bet
ter than marrying any one else, after ALL
A wasted life and wasted heart, but moth
NJ worse. Good night, lassie.
Year: 1879

The Five Fighting African Brethren Escape


Will, Very Moderate Punishment.


1t was the morning after the battle, at the
police court yesterday, and the American
citizen Of African descent loomed upon the
judicial horizon to such an extent, numeri-
cally, as to throw the Caucasian transgressor
completely into the shade. They came up
smiling, slightly disfgured, but still in the
ring, as likely looking quintette of shady
hued customers as ever practiced anatomical
carving with the aesthetic razor, or delighted
in the whizzing monotone of the bullet,
as it buzzed along on its death dealing mis-
sion of destruction.


AS before stated, they came; and SO did
their sisters and their cousins and their
aunts, in short, their whole families were
present, and the scene would have beggared
Sandwich Island picnic, SO picturesque and
becomingly shiftless was the lay out. All
the culprits were men of families, and the
play of emotional feeling would have afford
ed rich field for a certain class of students
who made the study of similar manifesto
tions profession.


When John Aliens name was called a
cran1ng forward of necks took place, and
the man who had fiourished six-shooter
with such braggadocio the night previous
stood in the august presence of the court as
meek as yeariing. The prisoner didn't
have much to say, but presented, by way of
extenuation, badly lacerated face and
head, and, considering that he had been
punished pretty severely, he was let off with
fourteen days in the cooler.


The name of Easton Burgess was next
called, and when the king bee stood up for
judgment moro craning of necks and ex-
panding of ears took place, while the defiant
front of the bruiser seemed to inspire GER
tain awe among his numerous constituents
IN attendance. Owing to his fondness for
spittoons tt g night previous, the prisoner s
hands were badly gashed, presenting the ap-
| pearance of section of slashed and par
boiled liver. He was Indifferent about the
matter, and received his thirty days. sentence
of Imprisonment without winlzing.


The principals being disposed of attention
was next turned to the seconds, the men who
| flourished razors and hankered for an op-
portunity to waste blood. AS called by the
clerk they answered to the names of Emanuel
Harris, Henry Miller and Edward Wright.
They were given fourteen days each for gen
eral cussedness, when the crowd scrambled
for the door and the matinee was over.
Year: 1879

HTIDWIFE-10l West Sixth street, acknowledged
lI by medical men, as well as the citizens of the
city, to be the most successful and experienced il
her occupation in the northwest 81.
Year: 1879

The BOABD OF Education on account
of the small number of members pres
ent last evening, adjourned their
meeting without the transaction OF
business until Wednesday evening,
when the geography book question will
be considered. By this time the MEM
bers have no doubt found that there Is
very decided sentiment amongst the
people against the change of primary
Biographies contemplated by the board.
1t would certainly be very unwise in
the board to make such an important
change now, just as more than the half
Of the members terms have expired ;
and probably not more than half OF
these retiring will be sent back again.
Every consideration Of fairness suggests
that such an important question should
not be acted upon by the old board.
Let tue new oue Wuicu Will pe eho''A
next Saturday, and which will organize
on Monday night next, take that re-
sponsibility, for as it continues in
lower at least a year, the responsibility
more properly belongs to them. The
change from Warren's to Harper's
Geography, will cost the Board OF Edu-
cation nearly $1,000, before it is thor
oughly effected, though year be al
lowed in which to make the change.
In these days of economy and reform
amongst people who honestly mean it,
this is too much money to be thrown
away for mere change of books which
| it is admitted will Lot make our schools
| particle better than they now are.
Between the two Biographies now in
question, opinion is divided as to their
merits, Warren's being admitted to
be fully as good if not better than
Harper's. Under these circumstances
the Board of Education would be wise
in letting the Geography question alone
at the present time, and if they are
really anxious for something to do,
there are other much needed reforms
upon which they might try their hands
to much better advantage TO the pub
lie schools than to be spending the
money of the city in changing text
books every year or two.
Year: 1879

must have, and they cannot get II
without ths polling Of 10000 fraudu-
lent votes in the city Of New York.
Here is TO be found the handspring Of
all their actions. The brigadiers are
not legislating for the South-they are
legislating for New York city. They
want the federal supervisors and
Deputy United States Marshals to be
kept away from the polls, that there
may be no restraint upon the casting
of those 80, 900 fraudulent votes. So
far as the nation at large is concerned,
there need be no election held at all
except in New York, and even there
there need be none held unless these
election laws are repealed. 1t is well
understood that the verdict Of the
people if honestly expressed will be for
a Republican President all over the
North, with the possible exception OF
Indiana, but by the repeal of the feder.
al election laws, New York is to be de-
tached from the Republican moorings
and attached to the Confederate idol
a solid South temporarily for the cleo
tion of a Democratic President. We
will see whether they will succeed or
not We are certain they will not if
President Hayes stands firm.


Should the Democrats succeed in
their schemes and get within their
grasp the executive power Of the gov
ernment, the step may be long one,
but it will be gradual and sure one to
repeal the Constitutional amendments,
and remove back into slavery again
the human beings once chattels, bat
now nominally, at least, freemen. The
whole purpose of the Democracy tends
in this direction. The consummation
of their object may be many years in
the future, but we may with safety
predict that the effort will be made as
soon as three fourths of the States by
the peculiar tactics of the Democracy
become so thoroughly impregnattd
with the modern spirit Of Democracy,
that they will vote for the repeal of the
Constitutional amendments passed by
the Republicans.