smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

HuMM1NG BIRDS NEsT.-Burroughs, in
his charming little book, entitled Awake
Robin" says it is an event in ones life to find
a humming birds nest. The event happened
to me without any effort on my part Look
ing up from seat in the grove, saw the
ruby. throat drop down on its nest, like shin
ing emerald from the clouds it did not pause
upon the edge of the nest, but dropped imme-
diately upon it, The nest was situated upon
an oak twig, and was about the size of
black walnut, and where sat it looked more
like an excrescence than nest. 1t was stu
ated in the fork of two twigs; it is firmly at
tached at the base to the lower, but is not
fastened to the upper twig.


waited for the tiny occupant to leave the
nest, and then with the aid of step-ladder
had no difficulty in looking into it. I found
i.contained two eggs about as large as medi.
um sized peas. Sometimes the male would
drop upon the nest when the female left.
never disturbed them while they were sitting
upon it; but often before could get away,
when thought them out of sight the male
would suddenly appear, and greater demon.
stration of anger never saw manifested by
bird. He would ruAle up bis tiny feathers,
and seem nearly twice as large, and dash al.
most into my face, making a squeaking noise
scolding and threatening until he had driven
me quite distance. He soon learned that I
was very much afraid of him, so he turned
tyrant, and often drove me from my seat in
the grove when had not been near bis DWELL
ing. I always submitted to the tyrant, for
what business had I to be prying into his do
mestic affairs? When the young were hatch
ed they were not larger than humble bees, but
in week they had flown. I cut the twig of,
and found the nest was composed Of the same
soft downy substance which I had noticed in
the wood pewes's nest, but it is matted so
closely together that it is almost as firm as the
softer kinds of felt. It is a marvel of skill
and beauty, and is completely covered exter-
nally with lichens.
Year: 1877

FREE PArERs.-There is hardly q mail
but we receive applications from some library,
hospital, young mems Christian association,
reading-room, or sewing society, request to
send the Sun to their institution free, to be
kept on file for every body to read. A few
years ago We used to take such application as
a compliment, and fastened to send our pa
per free, because We thought it was mighty
mean man that couldn't give away q paper.
But when our friends got US out of'the poor
house the last time, they made US promise
that We would quit that sort Of busiuess.-La
Crosse Sun,
Year: 1877

hoof, and adjusts the shoe so as to protect it:
The frog in the hoof of the horse is placed
there for particular purpose, and should not
be cut by the shoer. If this is allowed, con.
fractions and lameness will follow. The shape
and weight of the shoe should be accommoda-
ted to the purposes for which they are designed:
The track horse requires a shoe lighter and
without corks, while the draught horse must
have heavy, broad shoe, with corks, to ena.
bic him to obtain footing and travel with the
least possible strain.
Year: 1877

On an average, horses require shoeing once
a month. The length of time shoe will
wear depends much on the kind of service a
horse is doing and on the kind of road he
is daily travelling. A team horse in heavy
draught does not wear out as many shoes as
one used in hack; quick motion grinds shoes
down more rapidly than slow use. Some
pavement is harder on shoes than an ordinary
road. while the friction of gravelly road
wears them away rapidly. Wooden pave
ment is but little saving to the wear and
tear of shoes, for the grit and dust which be-
come impacted in the interstices Of the wooden
block, grind away shoes like the friction of an
emery wheel. The hind shoes wear out first,
and there is more strain and friction on them
than On the forward shoes. 1t is impossible
and improper for horse to wear shoes more
than six weeks, for the growth of foot short
ems the shoe, as we'll as changes the shape 9th
erwise. The neglect will cause the shoe to
encroach upon the soft textures of the foot
and produce lameuess.


There are but few practical mechanics who
have sufficiently studied the foot of the horse,
It is not enough to know the anatomy of the
foot, and where to insert nail, not to cause
pain, but the foot should be studied in the
state of nature, before the mechanism of man
has, by artificial appliances, distorted 1t. The
shape of the hoof of the wild horse, of one
which has never been shod, should be taken
as model. The foot Is then properly bal
anced, neither too long nor too broad, but it
has adjusted itself to nature, and the muscle
and tendons are not strained by travel. Con.
fnement and unskillful shoeing change the
anatomical relations of the foot, and the best
Judgment of the mechanic is often taxed to
correct the growing deformity unskill-
full shoeing. When reasoning, skillful me.
chanic is found, the horse is safe in his hands,
for he only preserves the normal ahape Of tho
Year: 1877

FLOW ON, SWEET STREAM.


BY WHO.
Flow on, sweet stream, forever flow,


Through shady groves and fragrant vaies;
like to list to the songs so low,


You murmur to the evening gales.
It grew quite familiar to mine ear
While wandering oft with a dear friend here!
Flow on, dear stream, and never tire;
Aye! glide on, rejoicing every day,
Till the fountains at your head expire,
Or all have passed from earth away.
Thus sped the life of my hearts best friend,
Who found heaven at her journeys end.
Flow on, loyed stream, make no delay,
But ever singing, forward move .,.
In gentle sweetness by night and day,


Dispensing new life where'r you rove.
So passed through earth and away from care,
The one 1 loved above all others dear.
Flow on. bright stream, forever flow;


Your sad, sweet song delights mine ear,
As fastening on through time you 60,


Unburdened by one thought OF care.
Nor is there ajoy more dear to me
Than to muse and wander along with thee.
Flow on, lone stream, your evening star
Shall light the pathway that you roam,
And when you've crossed the earth's last bar,
Then smile you to your ocean home.
But must mourn, by your waters blue,
The loss Of her who to my own heart grew
Flow on, flow on, brave stream, in pride;
There is no power in thy waves u
That can bear off on thy glimmering tide,
The spell that memory's hand engraves.
The record of one so pure and true
Shall ever last while run thy waters blue.
Yes, flow gently to thy ocean grave,
And whisper to the yearning sea,
While echo chants it from each wave,


No JOY on earth from sin more free,
Than that, here, two loving hearts once knew,
When plighted first by thy waters blue!
Flow on, then, constant stream, flow on,
That I, in your bright waves, may see
Reflected back the graceful form


Other I loved so tenderly-
Glowing with life in every part
As fond nlem'ry keeps her in my heart!
Flow with my blessings on thy breast;
The hand that guides thee to the main
Shall lead me to land of rest


Where hearts shall meet with hearts again
My home, whence shadowy forms view,
Now reflected in thy waters blue.
Yes, glide onward, forever flow,


Bright emblem of the joys above,
Where hopes to full fruition grow


And ever exposed in purest love
By life's sweet stream that's ever new
And purer than thy waters blue!
Year: 1877

THE ADVANTAGES OF INFLUENCE.-Perhaps we
do not endorse everything that Hayes does, as
enthusiastically rs some folks do; but this IS
one misfortune we have in common with thou
sands of other Republicans, who dislike to see
the party given away, even if the weakness by
which it is done is called honesty and eoncilia-
ton. However, this might be all right, IL we
were o person of commanding influence, Ike
some we have heard of. Your man of powerful


influence can do he pleases, and it is all rignt.
He has only to hint his desire either to the Re-
publican or Democratic party, and they Will
dance obedience. Communities exist only to ca
ter to his individual interest; and the man who
fails to jump at the first whistle, may as well
speak for his shroud. If we were man OF pow
erful influence we might daily tip the wink to
leading Democrats, telling them not to be hasty
in getting up ticket, for eve will be with you."
You see, if we owned the great body OF the he
publican party, we could just hand them over IN
bulk, as our intererest suggested. If we pos
sessed commanding presence and powerful influ-
ence, We might get elected to Office by the Demo-
Gratis one year, and because they would not give
us fresh teat the next year, while we still had
the other in our mouth, we might Kick them
"right behind their backs" and tell them we were
a Republican, and didn't thank them for their
support; but in spite of this, they would do just
rs we commanded them, the very next time we
felt like commanding. Or, we might pursue
man with the charge of thief, one year, to accom-
plish his defeat for an office which we wanted
ourself, and the next year could soft soap him,
and make him all right on the goose, by saying
he deserved to be elected to Office by the people.
Or, we could ncontinently tear our shirt all to
pieces, because o man We were down on was run
ming for an Office that we failed to get nominated
for Legislature and could pretend to vote for his
Democratic opponent, in order to "fool' that
Democrat another year; and the next year, by
simply smiling upon the man We opposed SO bit
terly, we could get him to walk into our parlor,
and help divide the party for our benefit. If We
were man of powerful influence, although we
had failed in everything We ever undertook, (and
had undertaken everything except hard work,)
we could just step into any profession we chose,
and everybody would drop everything else to
give us q boost; or, if they didn't, We could
threaten to preach their funerals. In short, we
could kick every man who had ever befriended
us, Just as soon as he was no longer OF pres
ent use to us; but when our interest demanded,
we could give him gracious smile, and he would
hasten to dance to our fiddle. 1t is a terrible
disadvantage to lack commanding presence, pow
erfnl magnetism, and towering influence.
Year: 1877

n correspondent wants to know the mean
ing of General Grant being rendered the free
dom of the city of London. He is mistaken in
supposing that it means the same as the New
York and the Paris merchant rendering the free
dom of their houses to each other. 1t means
that Grant has right to get drunk and yoop-ee
on the streets, without being liable to arrest by
the police; and that he has the privilege of get
ting what he wants at the lager-beer saloons,
lunch houses, and peanut stands, without pay
for
Year: 1877

A queer genius lives at East Burke
a man who probably has not spoken to
another man directly for the past 20
years. He will talk with a woman or a
minor, but never with man; even his
own sons, as they arrive at 81 years Of
age, are talked to no longer. When he
can do no better he will talk to the stove,
or horse, or whatever else happens to
be near, and say: cold horse, you tell
Mr.. Smith / want to buy his farm Mr..
Smith can speak for himself, but will
only get an answer as he hears it ad-
dressed to the sold horse" This eccen-
trio individual will allow no man to sit
on his right hand; he will sooner stand
up or leave, and has often stood up
through church services when he could
ind no seat without a man at his right
hand. He speaks in meetings, and is
quite an earnest, interesting speaker
B@rstngt0n (W) Free Press,
Year: 1877

oiflur Of New York named Helmer.
This coiflurc, which is appropriately
called the multiform, from the variety
Of STYLES in which it can be arranged,
consists Of long welt Of short curly
hair. which is inserted in a lengthwise
slit in the top Of metal cylinder that Is
kept in place by being screwed to a
table: the hair is then brushed around
the tube, thus forming puff or curl
about three-quarters Of yard IN
length, which retains its shape on being
Withdrawn from the cylinder. With
two Of these light, long puils, weighing
only two ounces, almost any coiIture
can be made French twist, chatelainc,
pulled or curled chignon, pulls and
braids, etc-while by picking out the
hair with pin fringe is made for the
forehead. A cOiilure of this kind, with
the instrument for keeping it in order,
costs from so to Sl5, according to the
color of the hair. Brown hair is the
cheapest in market; black is the next in
price: the various shades of chestnut
and blonde are higher; red and auburn
are still more expensive, and gray and
white hair are the dearest of all. For
two thick brads of white hair, twenty
seven inches in length, the modest sum
of $4,000 was asked not long since.
The more peculiar the shade Of hair,
the greater difficulty will be found in
matching it, and the higher will be the
price.


We must say word about hair-dyes.
Nothing can be more dangerous than
the use of preparations containing lead,
which often cause softening Of the brain,
paralysis and imbecility. There is, in
fact, no excuse for employing dyes Of
any kind, now that it is the fashion for
ladies to wear their own gray hair and
that men are 50 anxious to gain the pres
tige of experience conveyed by blanched
locks that member Of the French acad-
envy predicted sure fortune to any one
who would invent u lotion that would
bleach the hair of two juvenile profess
sors. But those who will use such dyes
should be told that the Onl y safe ones
are based on logwood or some other
harmless ingredient. For instance; a
pint of alcohol, a pint of roSewater,
four ounces of the fluid extract Of log
wood, four ounces Of the tincture Of
iron, and four ounces of spirits of am
monia make a harmless and etfectual
dye for those who think they can not
dispense with it.


1t is a disputed question whether
children's hair should be kept cropped.
There is no doubt that its hneness and
softness are lessened by cutting. The
Greeks, those apostles Of beauty, never
permitted the razor to touch the boards
of their men, or the scissors the hair OF
their women; and some physicians AT
firm that men become bald oftener than
women because their hair is stimulated
to waste its vitality by more frequent
cutting. On the other hand, girls hair
doubtless gains in thickness and strength
by being cut occasionally, even when
not kept shorn. When doctors differ,
who shall decide?
Year: 1877

The Rev. Alonzo NJ. May was an
Episcopal minister of Iowa who turned
Methodist and was admitted into the
Methodist ministry. On the strength of
the change which he made the Episco-
pal Bishop OF Iowa publicly deposed
him from the ministry Of the Church
Of Cod" stating as the reason that Mr..
May had renounced the ministry and
entered upon secular purSuits.n Mr..
May thinks this is rather a rough way
ofputting it, as he considers the branch
of the church in which he is now work
ing fully as much "the Church of Godn
as ever the Episcopal was, and he is
unable to see that engaging in the work
OF the Methodist ministry he has cen
tered upon secular pursuits" He has
Issued newspaper statement on the
subject
Year: 1877

In these piping hard times, when one half of our laboring class are idle, when the streets of our great cities are full of men who would work If they could; when one fourth ofevery newspaper in the country is filled with Sheriff and Master sales, and families are daily turned into the streets without shelter to cover their heads; when necessaries of fife are as high as any tune during the war, and labor when had, is as low as twenty years ago, it naturally causes us to think, and sec what can be done to assist and help our suffering fellow men.

 The proprietor of this paper, in view of this fact, has sent reporter into the great Southwest to see and report on the condition of that sec tion, comprising Northern Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas, and by the first of September will commence the pub lication of series of letters on the crops, climate, soil and social condi- ton of those States, as well as the railroad facilities offered to emi- grants, who desire to make their home in that section of the Union. At present we will say that the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis railroad will make a satisfactory arrangement with any parties who desire to explore these States, and find homes In section of the country that will vie with It. ally Tn the variety of her natural pro ducts, and excels her in genial eli mate. Cleveland Times.

 The Cleveland Times, from which the above extract was taken, cannot do a work of greater humanity than to point its thousand of men who would work if they could find em. ploymcnt, to Arkansas, What q
Year: 1877

contrast between the picture drawL by the Times, and the happy scene that. meets our view here at home. Here peace and plenty fills the land. Never before were such bountlful crops made. Never be- fore have we had more cheering prospect. No need here for any one who will labor with the hands which God has given linn with which to la Dor, to suffer with the bangs of hun- ger. No need here for any one to go about the streets idle. No need here for tic industrious man to watch the newspapers in expectancy of seeing his property or hls house hold goods offered for sale under the Sheritf's or the Masters hammer. No need here for heavy expense for six months out of the year for fu- el No; here you may find homo where these things are all strangers. Here you may fiud labor for which you can get remuneratiye prices. Here you may find opportunities to secure homes and farms of your own at prices, and on terms which will make you able to have little domi cil of your own where you will be lord of all that you survey. Read our short a,ticle headed: "A Golden Harvest and then read the Times picture of times in Ohio and all over the North, and then say if Arkansas is not the place for the immigrant to seek.

 Let the Times reporter come to Arkansas. Let him come up the Ft. Smith road. He will see God fav- ored country, where labor will. bring its sure reward. He will see thous- ands upon thousands of acres ofland waiting for improvement. He will see broad fields of white cotton where thousands of laborers may find ready employment, and where boys and girls as well as strong men may earn their fifteen or twenty dol lars per month. No need for idle ness and hunger here. Send on your Times reporter, and your vii ling sinew and muscle, too. An
Year: 1877

This is the alleged excuse of many of our farmers for not subscribing to their county paper-they say they are not able. Now let us look at this excuse and see how fimsy must be such a pretext for banishing the newspaper from the household. Men dccieve themselves about this mat ter, and by acting the deceit they really believe that they are not able to pay the pitiful sum of one dollar and fifty cents per year for a news paper. Look at it and see if it is not shame and diseredit to any man in a county like ours to put up such plea as this. If we were so- liciting subscribers among people who were impoverished by famine, and blight of crops, and the devasta, tion of war and strife, and where la bor met with no demand, and re ceived no recompense when bestow ed; or if our people were sickly, pu- ny or unable to exert the manual la Dor necessary to bring the rich treas ure out of our productive soil, we would not be surprised to hear the plea mot able" But in a country like this, where men are robust and healthy, where the soil yields it's rich reward to all who will work, where labor is in demand always, where man can make a living by working only about half his time as mauy of our people do;-where every man who will may always get dollar or two by bringing few po- tatoes, peaches, apples, &c., to town, it is astonishing to hear robust, heal thy men allege that they are "not able" to subscribe for a newspaper, and it is disgraceful too to hear them admit that no newspaper makes it's regular weekly visits to their home. A land like this and hundreds of families who do not see newspaper for year at time. Verify what manner of men must they be? Think of it, gentlemen, and remember that it is reproach to our county, a sad reflection upon our intelligence, and a gross injustice to the spirit of en- terprise of those who are struggling to sustain newspaper presses in your midst.
Year: 1877

WHAT we Tn Arkansas desire to do is to come to an amicable agree ment with our creditors, make Q settlement that will be just to the State aud our creditors, get in all the old evidences of indebtedness that are against us, issue new bonds that will go on the market without a laint of dishonor, and thus preserve untarnished tLe credit of the State. Gazette.

 All very good; but who are our creditors? Is anybody who may rake mp claim against us without regard to the honesty or validity of the claim, creditor? Is man en- titled to any consideration as cred itor who holds your forged notef What kind of amicable settlement do you want with that kind of creditors And what justice to the State, and to our honest creditors is there in entertaining propositions from such creditors to surrender such evidences of indebtedness? You cannot serve the bondholders and the people at the same time.
Year: 1877

Summer is almost past and gone. The cool nights and mornings, and the pleasant days, admonish us that the fall weather draws near at hand.

 The labor on the farm so far as making the crop is concerned, is done, and crops have been "laid by" Wheat, oats, rye and barley, have been harvested and corn will soon be ready to gather The season has
Year: 1877

here. ChilIs and fever are the most common disorders. Away from the river bottom this complaint is hard ly ever any trouble.

 OUR WATER

 is good, better than is found any where in the State, excepting North of the Boston Mountain range. Wells are from 15 to B feet deep. The water is mostly freestone. There are some very fine springs in this country, but water IS obtalned generally from wells.

 WE HAVE TIMBER

 of almost all kinds, oak, pine, cy- press and walnut predominating. In this county is to be found some of the finest pineries in the Stata. The timber of Arkansas alone will yield a world of wealth if properly utilized. There are a number of saw mills, perhaps 1esr l2 in this county and they are all making money. You cen, no doubt, do better with your machinery here than where you are. Lumber-pine --sells here at $l0 per thousand at the mills. You will find the railroad lines approaching our state liberal toward new corners, and our advice is to come and see for yourself.

 FOR STOCK RAISING,

 our county is very favorable local ity. There is not much prairie land, but you would be surprised to see sheep and cattle here, which look clean and in fair condition after having gone through whole winter with little or no feeding. Nobody here feeds over I2 or l6 weeks ip the year. The remainder of the time stock takes care of itself. Our county is excellently well watered. LANDS

 are worth from to 5 dollars for wild unimproved uplands, Improv- ed upland farms that will make 20 to 35 bushels corn and to 15 bush- els wheat per acre can be bought at $8 to $l0 per acre. River bottom lands are worth double these prices. There is no government prairie lands in this county. The dairy buiness here ought to be very remunerative.

 There is, in my mind, no doubt but that there will be rapid i'm provement in our country during the next few years, and some of you Michigan men of energy and pluck would do we'll to come and start in now. You will meet warm wei come from our people, for we all wish our country settled up with good, industrious men.