smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

About mile from the center of Baby
lon Village, Long Island, stands a house
which has for some time been unoccupied.
1t was some time ago fitted up for the
occupancy of newly-married couple,
but shortly after they moved into it the
young bride died, and the building was
again left vacant. Within few weeks
past, strange sounds and fitting lights
have been seen in the house; occasionally
a pale, wan face would appear at one of
the windows in the dead of night, and
piteous walls would issue apparently from
between the livid lips, and then the "per-
turbed spirit would wander from room
to room throughout the house, as if look
ing for something that could never be
found. Babylon enjoyed the sensation
of having a "haunted house" Some of
the young fellows in the neighborhood,
however, were not superstitious to the
extent OF being afraid to make an inves-
tigation, and one night last week two or
three of them concealed themselves in
the building to await the ghosts" ap-
pearance. About the hour when church.
yards yawn" one of the windows opened,
and his ghostship entered in a very un-
ghostly manner, and commenced his usual
performance, his form being just distiu-
guishable in the darkness. In the middle
of one of his most interesting acts the
concealed persons crept softly on all
fours to the spot, and suddenly grasped
him by the ankles, proceeding which
was followed by a series of terrific shrieks
very human in their tone, and indicating
an agony Of fear, and it was some time
before the bogus ghost was brought to
the point of believing that he had not
been seized by real one. The explana-
ton of his proceeding is found in the fact
that a certain person was desirous of
owning the house, but the proprietor re-
fused to part with it on the terms offered,
and this novel method was adopted by
the would-be purchaser to depreciate the
market value of the property. At pres
ent the laugh is against him.-NeaO York
Times.
Year: 1877

Under the shade of the sheltering vines,
They met at the close of day;
She fresh from the dairy, clean and sweet,
And he from the field Of hay.
She had brown eyes and gentle smile,
Brown eyes that were tender and true;
And he a manly and graceful form,


And eyes that were bold and blue.
They spoke Of the dairy, fresh and sweet,
They talked of the field Of hay;
But the maiden's heart beat quick and fast,
For she knew what he'd come to say.
The moon shone out, with a clear, soft light,
Blue eyes looked into the brown,
And the youth could read world of bliss
In the maiden's eyes, cast down.
Under the shade Of the sheltering vines,
His arm stole around her waist;
But the words that he spoke in her listening


ear,


Have never with pen been traced;
For the moon went under feecy cloud,
And veiled from her eyes the sight;
And only the stars, and the maiden's heart,
Could tell what he said that night.
Year: 1877

BURNING A FoRT.-Quite an original
method Of taking fort is described in
BEaekzOOod's Magazine. In 1896, large
Russian army besieged the Turkish fort
of Azof, which was situated on plain,
strongly fortified, and had small, but
well disciplined garrison. No common
approaches could be made to it, and the
Turkish cannon swept the level with iron
hail In this case the engineering skill
of the Russians was baffled, but General
Patrick Gordon, the right-haud man of
Peter the Great, and the only one for
whose death it is said be ever shed tear,
being determined to take the place at any
cost, proposed to bury it with earth by
gradual approaches. He had a large
army; the soil of the plain was light and
deep, and he set twelve thousand men to
work with spades, throwing up high
circumvallation of earth wall before them
in advance. The men were kept in gangs,
working day and night, the earth being
throwo from one to another like the steps
of stair, the top gang taking the lowest
place every half hour in succession. In
i've weeks the huge earth wall was car
ried forward nearly one mile, until it rose
to and above the highest ramparts and
the earth began to roll over them. This
caused the Turkish Governor TO hang out
the white flag, and give in. Had he not
done SO, General Gordon would have bur-
led the fortress.
Year: 1877

Consumption is the one upiyersal f..
of our civilization, and the higher ana
more refined our standard Of society, the
more closely and fatally it pursues us
We doubt whether it often smites en- Arah
of the desert.


The medical faculty of Great Britain
and many of the same in America. are
settling down on the following results.


l. No known medicine has apy nni.
form appreciable efficacy in consumption


2. A case cannot be cured without a
free exposure to outdoor air.


3. Sea voyages, milder climates. and
the maintenance of an equal artificial
temperature often hasten fatal termina-
ton of the case.


The disease is mainly due to a lack of
daily exercise in the open air. Such
exercise, keeping the appetite natural,
the digestion good, the circulation
vigorous, and the countless lunR-oells
supplied with pure air, almost certainly
prevents consumption, unless the system
IS weakened by other causes, and this
and this alone gives any hope of cure.


The above we gather in part from
Hats Journal Of HedIth but it has been
our view for nearly forty years. That
time ago a physician told us the follow
ing incident:


He was medical adviser in a family
where all the daughters but one had sue
cessively died of consumption on reach.
ing maturity. The last being taken, he
determined to change his entire treat
ment-to withhold all medicine, and to
prescribe daily outdoor exercise in all
weathers, and brisk friction of the skin
in warm room on returning home. The
young lady said she would rather die.
"You can do as you please" be replied.
"Follow my advice and you may live
many years; reject it and you will not
live the year out" The love of life at
length rallied. She followed his advice
to the letter, and was alive and compare
lively we'll when he told us of the case,
which was several years after.


But it should not be forgotten that
there is a stage of consumption before a
cough sets in and chest-pains are felt.
The first indications are deficiency of
breath, strength and flesh. These are in
dications that must not be neglected


Brisk walking is good exercise, but
horseback riding is better. Sunshine and
cheerful Accomplishments are great helps
Always stop short of exhaustion, and avoid
everything violent. Youths Companion.
Year: 1877

CoNvERsATIoN.-French people regard
conversation as an art which may be ac-
quired-not as an Unborn talent. A well
known professor in Paris advertises to
''give lessons in the art of conversation =
and if professors teach ladies, in youth,
how to walk gracefully, why not how to
talk In the same manner2 For, although
everybody walks and talks, not more
than one ia a hundred do either, without
instruction, in manner calculated to
earn an honest compliment. The art of
conversati IN is realized as such in a mo-
meBt by q person unaccustomed to So
ciety, if suddenly introduced to gather
ing of intellect. However fluent in
speech aud self possessed in manner
upon ordinary occasions, even the bolIest
feel dismayed upon entering a sphere
prevailed by an atmosphere of mental
culture. They cannot rise to the level
of their surroundings. They have Ian
gusge, and they may have assurance, but
they lack the bsoyancy inspired by a
familiarity with the art of conversation
just as the untsught founderer in deep
water sinks, because with hands and feet
like his neighbor, be lacks knowledge
of the art Of swimming.
Year: 1877

us, Colonel Tourtelotte, the gentleman
with the long fair beard He is the only


son of his mother and she is a widow,
and the tender friendship which exists


between them is beautiful to see. Of
course, he is immensely popular, every


belle he comes in contact with being
anxious to break lance on the armor of
indifference in which he sheaths himself.
Year: 1877

BE industrious, no matter in what
sphere you move, or what your calling.
1t does not require argument to prove its
utility. There is as much difference be-
tween industry and idleness as there is
between light and darkness, or between
honey and vinegar. Industry leads on to
labor and labor to wealth; whereas idle
ness glides into laziness, and it creates
want and misery. The sluRgard lies sbed
in the morning, whilst his industrious
neighbor is up by times plying his hands
and thoughts on something useful and
ornamental, and is constantly on the
lookout for some lucrative or honorable
object. He soon attracts the attention of
respectable persons, and should there be
anything TO be done, every one knows
the individual who could or would do it.
By his industry he has become easy in
bis circumstances and is growing rich,
and is always cheerful, pleasant and
obliging.
Year: 1877

BASEBALL is reaching the perfection
of high art. In game between the
HarVsrds and Msnchesters, last week,
there were twenty-four innings without
either side gaining run. At this rste
the game must soon become extinct. 1t
will reach the point which DR.. Johnson
wished might be attained by the fashion
able music of his time-it will become
so difficult as to be impossible.
Year: 1877

Coop MANAeEMENT.-If a man has a
capable and industrious wife, it is aston
ishing how well he can live on a small
income. Some men live better on fifteen
dollars a week than their neighbors do on
twenty-five. The man does his part we'll
enough in the latter case, but his wife is
good for nothing. She will even upbraid
her husband for not living in as good
style as her neighbor, while the fault is
entirely her own. His neighbor has q
neat, capable and industrious wife, and
that makes the difference. So look out,
young men, before you go into matri-
mony. 1t is lottery in which most men
can only buy one ticket, and if that turns
out a blank, there whole life had better
be q blank, too. Luckily, no one need
go into the wSdded state with his eyes
closed, as in the case of lotteries, and we
judge all who are sensible enough to use
their optics may blame themselves if
they do not draw prizes.
Year: 1877

The sting of reproach is the truth OF
il.


He who has lost his confidence can
lose nothing more.


we cannot do evil TO others with
ont experiencing it TO ourselves.


What we know here is very little,
but what we are ignorant of is in
mense.


When i'll news comes too late to be
serviceable to your neighber, keep 1t
to yourself.


If you take temptations into &C
count, who is to say that he better
than your neighbor?


They that stand high have many
blasts TO shake them, and if they fall
they dash themselves TO pieces.


When a man has no design but TO
speak the truth. he may say a great
deal in very narrow compass.


Reflection is a flower of the mind
giving out wholesome fragrance
bat reverie Is the same flower, when
rank, and running to seed,


Nothing contributes to tranquilize
the mind so much as steady purpose
"A point on which the soul may Tx
It's intellectual eye.


The nerve that never relaXes, the
eve that never blanches, the thought
that never wanders-these are the
masters of victory.
Year: 1877

A SICK MAN.-When a man is all
ing he ought 10 know two things:
what caused his ailment and what
will remove it, for it j. folly to expect
relief until the cause Is removed
Therefore when q man Is sick he
should at once go home, cover up
warm in bed, in cool, pure room, aud
wait for better times, eating nothing
mean while, unless be feels really hum
gry, if thirsty he can eat and swallow
all The ice possible. The most stupid
animal, when aIliDg, seeks, quiet, rest
and warmth, and cannot be induced
TO eat anything. The Philosophy Of
the course is that GOODNESS is death
hence even the pig, while aiIing, seeks
some sunny spot a. the side of a house
or fence, which is twice as warm as
ahy other place from the rebound of
the suns rays. Rest sought BY qale
tude, all sickness is debility, every
motion of a limb, the very crook OF
Inc hn5er, requires sIIehSIh, every
atom of which is needed 10 bring the
body from It's weakened condition, for
in default of strength for this purpose,
Typhoid comes on and all is over. The
animal does not eat; nature takes
away the appetite, because the body,
already cIogged with a load Of mat
tiers which are better out than in,
would bu; have the weight increased
by every mouthful swallowed. And
yet man, with his higher Intelligence,
eats when he has no appetite, fights
against nature, his best physician, who
i'll kindness and wisdom has taken the
appetite away, and 'eats TO keep up
his strength" This patient waiting
in warmth and quiet and abstinence
from food will cure a large majority
of all common ailments.
Year: 1877

THE remains OF balloon have rec
emily been found on the coast of Ice.
land. In the car were found human
bones-an incomplete skelelon-and a
leather travelling bag containing pa
pers so moldy as not to be decipheIpd.
1t is supposed that this vas the bal
Icon in which the aeronaut Price as
cended during the siege of Paris.
Year: 1877

THE RlTIEING PRESIDENT. - 4 fter
nearly sixteen years of continuous public
service, General Grant has now retired TO
private life. We believe he has looked
forward to tlis time, when he could lay
ide the duties Of public station with as
eager expectation as he ever looked for
ward to assuming them. Few men have
borne more prominent place in this
country's history than Grant. a com
paratvely unknown man when he frsi
uf red his sword to the cause of his
country, he, in few years worked his
way up IA the highest honors in her pow
or to bcstGw. Eight years in the militia.
~ service stamped him as a born COM
m nder, and il is not wonderful that the
natl IN, grateful to her soldiers, should
ca | him to preside over her destinies in
the hour of peace. AS civilian Grant
near being fatal to the party to which he
owel his elevation, but his integrity OF
purpose is unquestOned. 1t is the fault
q politics that one side can see no good
in the acts Of the other; that only the
evil should be sought out and held up to
public gaze. 50, We could not expect
Gr.nt's enemies to do him justice he,
like all his predecessors in Presidential
Chair, having been the subject of unceas =
inganimadversinn almost from the day his
a administration began. 1t will remain
FOR future generations TO look more calm.
~ upon the condition of the nation when
Grant was called to the Presidency, to
c mparo it with its present standing and
zee if all the complaints were just. Our
own cannot do it.
Year: 1877

THE SENAToReHIP.-No sooner do
we get through with the turmoil Incl
dent to one election, than the poiIti
clans begin to figure upon the prospec
tive results of another. The great Ques-
tion now looming Up is that which af-
fects the choice of Senator to succeed
Hon. A. a. Sargent, which will come
before the next Legislature. Where par
ties are so evenly balanced in the Unit.
ed States Senate as now, the election of
new Senator for the term of six years
becomes a matter of political importance.


The Republicans % this State will go
into the Senatorial fight with the odds
against them. In the unfortunate d.
vision Of the party between the straight
Republicans and Independents. the Dem
ocrats carried the Senators holding over
from sixteen of the twenty Senatorial
Districts, thus giving them twelve ma
jority of the old members. The State is
close and nothing except an exciting
canvass viii bring out anything near
like IA full Republican vote, wherein
the Democrats have another decided ad
vantage. 1t will be seen that unless the
Republicans play all their points they
will have up Hill work to secure ma
jority in the Legislature to be chosen
next fall.


We think it not only possible, but
probable that this can be done. Although
the vote last year was close, we think
California i, Republican by a greater ma
jority by several thousands than wa:
given for Hayes. Last year the spe
cious cry of Rcfoim captured many
vote whose natural afliliation is will
the republicans. But Mr.. Hayes is de
monstrating that true reform is to b(
fund in the Republican party, and We
think many who voted the other way
are more than satisfied with the out
look. And, if this supposition be the
correct one, we may look for the CO.
operation of this class of voters in the
future,


But We carnot afford to 60 into tho
Senatorial race weighed down with the
ambition of aspiring candidates. While
all men have their friends, they also
have their enemies, and enemies arc
moro potent for evil than friends arc
for good. The Republican Legislative
nominees should enter the canvass un.
pledged except to the selection Of the
one who will most creditaby represent
the interests of the State. II we sue
ceed in carrying the Legislature there
is no lack of Senatorial timber which
would do honor TO any commonwealth
Year: 1877

A SINGULAR suicide recently occurred
in Drowana, Australia. A Greek who
had become insane by reason of poverty
and misfortune, poured quantity OF
molten lead down his throat. lie died in
agonies, and after death a lump Of lead
nearly half Il pound in weight was taken
from his stomach.
Year: 1877

A vIRAGo spinster was recently led
out Of church by the ear by Wisconsin
priest. The privilege subsequently, cost
the reverend gentleman ten dollar bill
in Court still we don't know but it was
worth il.
Year: 1877

A STOCKTON thief borrowed a photo
grapher's watch and chain to adorn his
person while having his picture taken,
and when the operator took the plate into
the dark room, walked off with the jewel
Year: 1877

-Laboring men at Bangor have held a
public meeting and appointed committee
to wait upon the Mayor and ask his assist
ance in obtaining work, that they may
support themselves and families. without
calling upon the city for aid.
Year: 1877

Fieksburg Herald: The object OF the
visit of the ship of war Plymouth to
this port Is ascertained. The New Or.
leans Times states that the trip of the
vessel here Is made upon the suggestion
of various gentlemen who own large
tract Of heavily timbered land near
Nicksburg with the design ofeiiscoyer-
in. whether the location and tim ber
would guarantee the establishing Of a
nayyyard at this point While We have
not much faith IN this assertion, ae
will be glad to welcome the vessel to
oar wharf
Year: 1877

No more grateful order, so far o. the
South il concerned, could have been
made than the one assigning General
Hancock to the task Of removing the
troops from the Siatc,aous, at Columbia
south Carolina Ilaneock IS greatly
beloved in our section, and 40 man ever
held public confidence 10y better right
than he when the Wild passions OF
war were sureing over the laud, this
great man held high command in the
victorious army of the Mon, aad when
in command OF the department of New
Orleans. when native Texans applied
for military rather than civil law, he
refused and on every occasion, by every
possible mode of expression. he ha.
sought To make the military subseryieni
TO the civil power. The task assigned
him by the president, the other day
must have been very grateful one in
deed 10 the feelings Of the man
Year: 1877

The N. Y. Tribune says of Burbank that
his readings are not of the stereotyped kind,
such pieces, but that with a sympathetic
voice equal to drollery and pain, and an ex-
pressive face he gives thoroughly delight
full Entertainment.
Year: 1877

We hope the efforts to establish a ceme-
terry in this city. will meet with the proper
support. Something of the kind should
be done, as all the church cemeteries are
about full except the Presbyterian. A reg
ularly laid out cemetery, under the control
of a company of our citizens is what is
needed, and would no doubt be supported
Who will move in the organization of a
company
Year: 1877

Considerable comment has been made by
our citizens upon the prevalence of small
pox in our midst. In some instances, ex-
aggerated stories have been circulated. That
this disease does exist, is fact, but not to
such al extent as some would have people
believe. 1t is confined to two or three
families, and we believe but two deaths
have occurred as yet. By proper precau-
ton, what few cases there are, may be con
fined to their respective limits, and within
d very short time our city be entirely rid of
the pest. There is at present no just cause
for alarm.
Year: 1877

The committee appointed by Council to
make an investigation as to the best method
for subduing fires, the erection of water
works, &C.. should report soon, and report
some feasible plan. We want protection,
n d the sooner we have it the better.
Year: 1877

Our Public Schools report better aver
age attendance than for some times past.
Both teachers and scholars seem interested
in their work. The Board of Education
teachers in this CITY.
Year: 1877

Mr.. G. c. Grosscup, our enterprising mer-
chant, contemplates making extensive i'm
provements to his building on Commerce
street in the Spring. A few years ago, he
came to this place and opened a tailoring
establishment in a small way on the West
side of the river By industry and perse-
verance he advanced ster by step, until now
part of the State. At his establishment
you can get almost anything you wish in
the clothing, dry goods and carpet line.
Year: 1877

ur bright red is the only reliable Slate Paint ever
introduced that will eifectuay prevent dampness
frnm penetrating and discololing the plaster


These paints are also largely used on ont houses
and fences or as a Priming coat ON fine buildings


Our only colors are Chocolate, Red, Bright Red
and Orange.
Year: 1877

A roof may be covered with very cheap shingle.
and by application of this slate be made to Ia t
from 20 to 25 years. Old OofS can be patched and
coated, looking much better, and lasting longer
than new shingles without the slate, for
Year: 1877

Although the Republican element of
France lies at present PROSTATE in grief
,and anguish at the death of their great
leader, yet they may not mourn as those
without hope; the noble sentiments in
stilled into the minds of his almost wor-
shipping followers by his persistent ener-
gy, are not lost but may prove the good
seed which shall bring forth fruit worthy
of their author a hundred fold. The
grand old Frenchman still lives in the
mind and heart of Republican France,
and will. continue to WELD perhaps even


a greater influence than when in the
flesh. His name will be canonized by his
followers and the rallying cry for future


years of struggle against imperialism, if
his friends and admirers will only cling
strictly to his teachings and not permit
their innate French desire for excitement
to lead them to extremes. The death of
M Theirs may not prove so great a mis-
fortune as would first appear, but per


haps may be the means of closer bond
of fellowship between the patriotic lovers
of liberty in France.
Year: 1877

The following letter was sent by a
man to his son in college: "My dear
son, write to send you two pairs Of old
bTeeches that YOU may have new coat
made of them, also some new socks
which your mother has just knit by
cutting down some of mine. Your
mother sends you ten dollars without
my knowledge, and for fear you would
not spend it wisely | have kept half and
only send five. Your mother and are
we'll, except that your sister has got
the measles, which we think would
spread among the other girls if Tom
hadn't had them before, and he is the
only one left. I hope you wal, do hon
or to- my teachings; ifyou do mot you
are. an ass, and your mother and myself
are your acknowledgements"