smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

A PARAGRAPH constantly appears in
Chdse's Chronicle TO the effect that at the
close of business yesterday and at the close
of business on every other day for the last
fifteen years the greenback dollar was worth
a hundred cents for the payment of all
debts and taxes, except customs and in
terest on the public debt. Very well; but
how about its purchasing power? What
would it do fifteen years ago, or ten years
ago, or one year ago, for the man who wanted
to buy something? Has not its purchasing
power steadily increased while its debt-pay-
ing power has remained the same? Will it
not now purchase more food and clothing
as well as discharge as many dollars Of debt?
Is it not putting the laborer on an equality
with the bondholder inasmuch as the laborer
can buy as much with his dollar as the bond
holder with his? Fifteen years ago it could
discharge hundred cents of debt in this
country. To-day it eau discharge within
fraction of a cent a hundred cents of debt
the world over, for it will command that In
gold. And has not resumption effected these
desirable objects2
Year: 1878

Thu soundest political economists have
predicted that an irredeemable and inflated
currency will promote speculation and ex-
travagance, and discourage legitimate bus-
ness, honest labor, and economy; that over
trading and fast living will go with 1t; that it
will stimulate desire to incur debt; that it
will cause high rates Of interest; that it will
increase importations from abroad; that it
will breed panics; that every period of inha-
ton will be followed by loss of confidence, a
shrinkage of values, depression of business,
lack of employment, and widespread disaster
and distress. That has been our history
since the war. But the prediction was made
before the war could be foreseen; indeed
before we had national existence. Was it
only lucky guessing on the part of the econo-
mlsts, or did they reason from knowledge and
the recorded experience of nations?
Year: 1878

The Shoe and Leather Reporter says:
There seems TO be good deal of hurrying on
the part Of debtors to avail themselves of the
relief of the bankrupt law, before the 1st of
September, when its repeal goes into effect.
There are some failures announced Though
for the moment we do not think of any such
in our trade-for which it is difficult to ac-
count on any other hypothesis than that the
parties are tempted to resort to this method
of liquidation by the readiness which credit
ors manifest to settle on any terms that may
be offered them. 1t has grown to be so CON-
mon thing to fail that the shame of it is not
as great as it used to be. If there was dan
ger OF the rigid scrutiny Of vigilant assignee,
and a thorough sitting of the assets, it would
be different matter. But the process of
compounding is so simple and smooth. there
is so little objection to it from any quarter,
and the victims of it acquiesce with such a
remarkable degree of patience and even
cheerfulness, as if grateful to get anything,
that the inducements are great to tradesmen
whose moral sense is not Of the keenest to
settle up and start anew with increased capi-
tai and clean bill book.
Year: 1878

THERE is an apprehension cherished by
Chase's Chronicle, that resumption of specie
payments in this country and boarding of
gold in the national treasury is producing a
stringency in the money-market of the world,
and particularly contraction Of the Bank of
England notes. Perhaps the Chronicle would
not mind telling its readers how much con-
traction there has been in Bank of England
notes for the last year, say, or for the last ten
years. A few figures would not be unwel-
aona
Year: 1878

THE Canucks can now swim in sea Of de-


light. They are to have a real live Princess
for first lady in the Dominion. That will
full condesce nsion of the Queen in sending
over her daughter to live upon them will Sc
cure the 10y atty of the CANADIANS for at least
Year: 1878

The Republicans Of the several cities and towns of
the First Congressional District of Maine and all 9TH
er persons who opposed to the Democrats obtain
ing control OF the next House of Representatives are
invited to send delegates to District Convention to
be held In
Year: 1878

The State Convention to-day promises to
be an unusually interesting assembly, despite
the lack OF contest for a gubernatorial
nomination which would draw large attend
ance and awaken special political interest.
It is good thing for the Republicans OF
Maine to gather themselves together at this
time to reaffirm and emphasize their adher-
ence to some principles about which great
deal of confusion is being made just now.
And first in immediate interest is the cur
rency question, upon which the Republicans
Of Maine have always been sound and sensi-
BILE and upon which there will be no wayer-
ing nor shadow of change. While the Gree u
backers, ,-some dishonest and others honestly
mistaken-are pushing their foolish and dam
gerous theories before the people, and the
Democrats are vacillating and inconsistent,
trimming their sails to catch every sort of
popular breeze, it is good time for the Re-
publicans to declare with emphasis the doc
trine of honest money in its purity. We can
well afford to make the issue distinctly and
to appeal to the good sense and judgment of
the voters of Maine; we cannot afford, nor
would any real Republican desire, to leave
any uncertainty or doubt as to our position
on this question.


We ought also to make clear our protest
against the aggressive tendencies of the South
erners whose purpose is manifest to use all
the disorderly and discontented elements in
the North to further their designs upon the
national treasury and to establish their con-
troll Of the nation they failed to destroy. 1t is
now clear to nearly all Republicans that the
controlling classes of the South have failed TO
respond in good faith to the conciatory
measures of President Hayes, as is conspicu-
ously evidenced by their outrageous attempt
to invalidate his title to the Presidency. The
convention will undoubtedly express its full
confidence in the validity of his title.


As to the nomination of a candidate for
governor there seems to be substantial una
nimity of sentiment. Gen. Connor's admin
istration for the past three years has been so
characterized by practical and intelligent at
tention to the affairs of the Office and by un-
tiring devotion to the development OF all
wholesome interests of the State, as to render
his denomination an eminently proper and
useful thing for the party and the State. 1t
is specially suitable, too, to bestow this
marked and unusual honor upon one who has
done and suffered so much for his country,
who is so brave and so modest, who is
thoroughbred gentleman, an elegant scholar,
discreet and sensible man of affairs, who is
wise, sincere, Independent, and conscientious
in all that he says and does. As Chief Magis-
trate he does honor to the state which honors
him with its confidence and esteem. With
him as our standard bearer we can go into
the fight with full assurance that no strength
will be lost by any fault in our leader.
Year: 1878

1t stole on its pinions of snow to
the bed Of disease; and the sufferers
frown became a smile-emblem OF
peace and endurance. 1t went to the
house OF mourning-and from the
lips OF sorrow there came sweet and
cheerful songs. 1t laid its head on
the arm of the poor, which was
stretched forth at the command Of
unnoly impulses, and saved him from
disgrace and ruin. 1t dwelt like q
living thing in the bosom OF the
mother, whose son tarried long after
the promised time for his coming. and
saved her desolation and the "care
that killeth.' 1t hovered about the
head of the youth who had become
the Ishmael OF society, and led him
onward TO works which even his ene-
mics praised. 1t snatched maiden
from the jaws OF death; and went with
and old man to heaven. No hope
my good brother? Have it. Reckon
1t on your side. Wrestle with it that
it may not depart; it may repay your
pains. Life is hard enough at best
but hope shall lead thee over its
mountains. and sustain thee amid its
pillows. Part with all beside, but
keep thy hope.
Year: 1878

1t is lamentably true that far too
little Importance is s'attached to the
quality OF seed used by the majority
Of farmers. Comparatively few, in
fact, seem TO understand how much
depends in the outcome OF the crop,
upon the excellence OF the seed.


Nothing is more certain than that
all OF our products deteriorate by
continued cultivation, unless more
than ordinary efforts are employed to
keep them up to the maximum point
OF excellence. The reasons for this
deterioration are various. We need
not enlarge upon them now. Let it
suffice that want Of Judgment and
care in selecting seed, ungenial soil,
an untoward season, improper or
slovenly cultivation or no cultivation
at all, poor management in treatment
OF the seed-these, and other things,
contribute to the. degeneration OF
crops of all kinds, and to what is
sometimes called running out" OF
varieties. Thus 1t has been, and thus
it will be until we adopt better
method, and adhere to 1t scrupulous-
ly of carefully picking out by hand,
il need be, the very best specimens OF
seed, preserving them with care,
treating them by the most approved
methods calculated to preserve their
vitality unimpaired, sowing and
planting them In congenial soil, cult.
vating diligently with a view OF OBJ
tanning the best results, and adher-
ing, through all the routine OF cult.
walton and management from seed
time to seed time again, to thai
course which shall not only preserve
the excellence OF the finest specimen.
OF the product, but IL possible be al
Improvement upon them.


Allof our cultivated products, both
in the Vegetable and animal kingdoms
are improvements upon nature b,
selection and culture. 1t is, in on
sense, the survival OF the fittest
but IL man neglects to employ tn
means necessary to have the fittes
Year: 1878




Lake Michigan has its Grace Oar
ling. and her father and brothers are
as brave and heroic as she Is herself.
Sanford W. Morgan is keeper Of the
saving station at Grand Point au 6a-
BILE. Michigan, and after close Of nav
igation he allows the crew to 60
away for the winter, but remains on
the ground with his daughter and
sons. At daylight on March 23d,
during one Of the most violent gales
Of the season, with the sea so boist-
erous that it was covered with foam,
fishing boat was discovered about
three miles off shore, In distress, by
Miss Edith. Quickly giving the
alarm to her father and two broth
ers she urged them to 60, volunteer
ing to take an oar herself to assist
the crew. 1t seemed as though a boat
could not possibly live In the mighty
waves, but one was launched, and
after a pull Of two hours, with seas
breaking over the email boat. and
threatening its destruction, and the
loss Of those on board, they succee-
ded in reaching the wreck, to find
that one Of the crew who had been
clinging to the side Of the vessel had
become exhausted. and letting 90
his hold had been drowned. Anoth-
er sailor, however, was rescued as he
was about to give up. and was taken
ashore. Nor was this the first time
that the brave young girl had ven-
] tured out on an errand to save.
Year: 1878

| n
! ner.


Lafayette Hughes, a temperanc ,


worker, now holding meetings at
Lafayette, and who says he was first
drunk when he was six years OF age,
and at thirteen was a confirmed to-


per, gives this description Of tremens.
"My whole system was burning up
and crying out for stimulants. My
tongue scorched in my mouth, my
brain was on fire, my eyes seemed


bursting from their sockets, my flesh
seemed to be pierced by a thousand
daggers, and the very marrow OF my
bones was boiling and oozing from
thousand vents. The whisky tre-
mems were upon me. My friends
could not control me. The room was
full of horrid, grinning skeletons;
their long, bony fingers were grasp
ing ct my throat. The air seemed
full of bowling demons from the re-
gions Of he'll. I fell to the floor and
begged and prayed for mercy, but the
devils answered me with a demoniac
hal ha! as their faces lighted up with
fiendish triumph. Then one OF them
brought bundle OF sticks into the
room and threw them upon the floor
Each stick turned to Kissing snake
with which the devils lashed my head
and body. Then they brought red
hot irons and pushed them through
my brains. They tore out my eyes
and dashed them against the wall.
They cut out my heart, sucked my
blood, and with maniac howls gritted
their teeth over my agony. They
brought boiling oil and saturated my
clothing with it. rushed into the
street to escape their fury. but the
pavement sunk beneath my feet as
though it were mirey clay. I strug
gled, and screamed, and tore my hair;
but my struggles only sunk me lower,
until 1 was powerless to move. Sud-
denly there was a crash, as IL the
earth had burst asunder, and was
precipitated into a lake OF burning
lava. My flesh was melting from my
bones. The devils came with red-hot
tongs and carried me to high build
ing, where they dashed out my brains
on the pavement below. Then they
took my brains and soaked them in
gall and compelled me to eat them.
They cut great gashes in my flesh
and then sewed up the wounds with
poisoned wire. They crushed my
bones and put live Goals upon the
marrow. They suspended me by the
thumbs and poured boiling whisky
down my throat. At last they all dis
appeared but one fiendish hag who
seemed to be thirsting for my blood.
Her head was split from the top to
the middle OF her face. She howled
at me and cursed me and swore that
l was the cause OF all her misery.
She built fire and declared she
would roast me alive. As soon as she
loosed my bonds I sprang at her
throat and tore the head from her
body. Snakes OF every kind and size
crawled from her neck and entwined
themselves about me. And thus all
night long fought with snakes and
demons OF every form. At times /
thought the room was full OF cats, all
screaming and squalling and scratch
ing at my eyes At other time. the
floor would be covered with bees and
ants and reaches and insects OF every
kind. They would crawl all over my
body and sting and bite my face. Oh,
who can imagine my suffering, my
terrible agony. 1t was worse than
death. He'll itself could pot have
been more terrible.
Year: 1878

/ think there are some quiet souls
which drink in the light, and mirror
1t, as the still sea drinks In the SUM-
shine-men like Hawthorn, who, for
doing things, as we understand the
term, take so poor place that they
are like to starve. Hawthorn had a
brain. they say, as large as Webster's;
but because he had still soul and
kept it still, there were times when
he could hardly get bread for his
wife and children.-Robert Collyer.
Year: 1878

A stranger sat in a corner Of the
car hence to New York, in easy atti-
tude, his feet upon a large black
trunk. The gentlemanly conductor,
going his rounds; at the first station
politely informed the stranger that
the trunk must be put in the bag
gage car. To which the stranger
nothing replied. At the second sta
tiOn the displeased conductor, more
decidedly, told the stranger that he
must put the trunk in the baggage
car or it would be put of the train.
To which the stranger nothing re-
piled. AT the third station the yex-
ed conductor more imperatively told
the stranger that he must put the
trunk in the baggage car or it would
be put Of the train. To which the
stranger nothing. replied. AT the
fourth station the irrate conductor
had the trunk put off and left. AT
the fiflh station the modified con-
ductor, addressing :ho stranger beg
gcd him to remember that he but
done it after repeated warnings, and
that it was solely the strangers fault.
To which the stranger lacouicaly re-
piled: "Don't care; 'taint my trunk"
Year: 1878

We used to know man who with
out a tremor would drink a half pint
Of New England rum or face an in
fnriatcd bull, and yet could not have
been hired to sleep in graveyard
on the ploasantost night Of the year
for fear Of ghosts. Another instance
of this odd terror at an imaginary
or tritling danger on the part Of a
person who will rcCklessly seek out
real porils to necdlossly face, was
brought to our notice by friend on
Monday evening. During the little
thunder shower of Monday afternoon
u lady Of this city took refuge on a
feather bed placed on the floor, and
stuck there till all danger" of be-
ing struck by lightning was over;
then she arose, and, finding that the
fire had got very low, proceeded to
onliyon IL by pouring kerosene out
of a gallon can intot stove, We
are ready to insure that lady against
being killed By lightning.
Year: 1878

top. lhe


LABOR QUESTION,


or the Chnaman in the " wood pile"
have been affording a certain class,
who are anxious for notoriety, or
who love to live on the sensational
rather than by honest toll, some de-
light and employment, during the
dull season of the winter. Poor
John hasn't much peace, though
generally much more orderly than
many oil his prosecutors, who princi-
pally belong to that class who don't
like to work themselves and get big
pay for doing very little. 1t is the
same old spirit that has ever perse-
cuted The poor colored man, because
Of his tenacity OF life and Of his com
petiting disposition and pride to be
the peer Of his white brother both
physicall ysand intellectually. John
works, wants to work, and work he
will. This he does rather than beg,
though he gets but small pay for it.
This he does though he has to live on
smaller rations and go less to thea
tres and drink less whiskey, and wear
more common clothing. We have,
by somewhat careful observation,
noticed that those OF the industrious
Americans, but seldom are idle. AS
an illustration, right near where we
live, there settled last Summer an
old gentleman with several sons an d
three sons in law and their families,
Those men have grubbed, sawed
wood, spaded gardens, moved grass,
gathered fruit, cleared land and
teamed, in word they worked, and
have never been idle for the want of
it. The result is, they have not only
made a living, but cleared money
enough to buy and pay for respect
able property and have each good
teams and are well to do. We think
John had better never have come
here, and wish his circumstances
were different, but as our government
has had something to do in his com
ing among us, ustce and humanity
demand his well treatment. But
must stop. PORTLAND.
Year: 1878

A beautiful person is the natural form of a
beautiful soul. The mind builds its own
house. The soul takes precedence of the body
and shapes the body to its own likeness. A
vacant mind takes all the meaning out of the
fairest face. A sensual disposition deforms
the handsomest features. A cold, selfish
heart shriVels and distorts the best looks A
mean, groveling spirit takes all the dignity
out Of the figure, and all the character out of
the couGtenance. A cherished hatred trans
forms the most beautiful lineaments into an
image of ugliness. 1t is as impossible to
preserve good looks with brood of bad
passions feeding on the blood, set of low
loves tramping through the heart, and a self
ish, disdainful spirit enthroned in the will, as
to preserve the beauty of an elegant mansion
with litter of swine in the basement, tribe
of gypsies in the parlor, and owls and vultures
in the upper part.
Year: 1878

with them and tell their story. The
condition of the Treasury, so favorable
for resumption, is the result of wise


management, and of the handsome
showing on our side of the balance OF
trade. The resumption of specie pay
ments IS almost an accomplished facG.
Its entire consummation means an
honest dollar for all classes-for en-
ployee and capitalist, for bondholder
and workingman; it means the vitali.
zation of all the currents OF business
and industry, and it means also the
discontinue of the shriekers for unIim-
tied and deprecated paper money, and
1t wards of the disasters that would
follow in the train of the experiments
they are so anxious to have tried
Bait. American.
Year: 1878

! Mr.. Thurman's speech at Athens-his Sec
ond in the canvass-is an ingenious and
plausible argument for a currency composed
exclusively of greenbacks, but it lodges two
questions of paramount importance: Shall
the greenbacks be redeemable in coin on de-
mand? and How shall that volume be regula-
ted by the wants of trade? The Senator more


man once speaks of greenbacks and coin
circulating together, and even refers to the
possibility of the Government maintaining
specie payments as early as the banks could
do so, but he carefully avoids saying that the
Government ought to keep its promise and
resum on the first day of January next. Nor
does he anywhere in his speech assert the
principle that paper currency, whether issued
by the banks or by the Treasury, to be honest
and sound should be convertible into gold or
silver. The important question of tlexibility
Mr. Thurman is not able to meet, and dis
misses it with joke and an unfair allusion to
the unsoundness of the old bank system, as if
it were the power to expand and contract the
currency to meet the greater or less require
ments of business that caused that unsound-
ness Mr.. Thurman knows that the trouble
with the old State banks was that their circu-
lation was not fully secured, and that they
were not under strict Government supervisors
and he knows, too, that the safeguards thrown
around the National banks make the holders
OF their notes absolutely safe against loss.
The element of lexibility in currency is too
important to be passed over in such way by
man protesting some knowledge of financial
matters. Under a sound banking system the
volume of the circulating medium is largely
regulated by the activity of business, as
shown in the demand for loans. MIR. Thur
mans scheme of an exclusively Government
currency lacks this feature of elasticity, as all
such schemes must, and he gains nothing by
saying that a coin currency is not flexible.
That is merely dodging the issue. The fact
that coin currency lacks this element has
led the whole civilized world to use paper.
Furthermore, the fact that no system has
been devised whereby paper currency put
out directly by the Government can be made
self-regulating in volume, has caused all CIV
iEzed nations to refrain from issuing such a
currency except as a forced loan in time of
war-CEeUeLand Herald.
Year: 1878

The best fodder corn is that grown thickly
in hills-so thickly that no ears are developed.
Let the ground be rich; let the cultivation be
thorough; cut up when the tassels are drop
ping their pollen; let it wilt on the ground,
tie in small bundles and set up in small shocks,
binding firmly at the top and also half way
down. Then let it stand as late as possible
before carrying to the barn. If the crop is
planted early, it may be cut up so early as to
get perfectly dry if it has no ears. Then we
have no mouldy fodder, and our opinion of
sowed corn improves until at least we may
say that it is worth as much as the best hay.
Rural NeU Yorker.
Year: 1878

The boy who feels "sort of lonesome.
like in the world" lives in Dallas,
Texas. As general thing boy of
eighteen has about all he can do to take
care of himself, and most of the time
he doesn't do that. In fact, he rather
prefers that other people should do it
for him. The Dallas boy is different.
Quinine, snake bites and whisky have
changed the order of things down that
way, and from the time he gets out of
the cradle he isn't happy unless he has
somebody or other to look out for.
This is just what has been troubling
Joseph Carey for some time past. He
has been all alone in the world and he
didn't like it. He has had no one to
care for, no one to love, until he could
stand it no longer. The other day he
put an end to this sort of thing by sp,
pearing before a justice and the knot
was tied. He is eighteen, she over
forty. Now he Is happy. He is no
longer haunted by loneliness, but has
plenty to care for-nearly two hundred
pounds of it. Texas is big State. IT
it is filed with just such people as the
Dallas boy, 1t must be a nice place for
ladies OF unquestiOnable age
to emigrate to.