smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

Few are aware of the physical strength
of Mr.. Lincoln. In muscular power he was
one in a thousand. One morning while
sitting on a vessels deck, he saw an
axe in socket on the bulwarks, and taking


it up held it at arms length at the extrem-
ity Of the helve with his thumb and fore
finger and continuing to hold it there for a
number of minutes. The most powerful
sailors on board tried in vain to initiate
him. Mr.. Lincoln said he could do this
when he was eighteen years Of age, and had
never seen day since that time when he
could not. s8


It occurred to me when reading the de-
tails Of the plot that terminated in the death
of the President, that his abduction which
was at one time proposed by the conspir
ators, would have resulted very disastrously
to those who should have the temerity to
undertake it. The plan proposed was to
waylay the President at night during one of
his frequent visits to the War Department,
where he was in the habit of going to read
the telegraphic dispatches during the time
ofimportant military movements, and where
he would remain until very late hour, re-
turning alone through the grounds of the
White House. A half dozen men were to
seize and carry him off; but had they at
tempted it, they would probably have found
that they had met their match. He had
the strength of giant


Judge SWEET, of Chicago, who was an in
innate friend of him, says that he had seen
him dash into a crowd where two powerful
men were fighting, and taking each by the
collar, hold them ont at arms length in the
most helpless and ridiculous position. Lin
coins familiar campaign sobriquet of Grail
splitter" was undoubtedly well earned. In
his athletic occupation he probably had no
rivals. The necessities of his early life i'm
bued him with that self-reliance that became
a part of his very nature and exhibited itself
on all occasions. He never liked to be
waited upon, OF to ask any one to do any
thing for him that he could possibly do
hiinself.-Scrs6ner'
Year: 1879

| There is an interesting hermit namee


Austin Sheldon in the wilds of Pike County,


Pa. He is 73 years old, totally deaf, and
| lives in a cave, which he has rudely fitted


up for habitation. His only companion
is tame rat. His personal appearance is
startling. He is about five feet in height,
and his hair and beard are as white as
snow. His clothes are worn and patched,


and he wears waistband made of a hickory


withe to support his garments. For his de-


fence against wild beasts he carries long


knife, as sharp as razor, which he manu-


factured by grinding down an old file. he


says that his parents were Connecticut


farmers. In early manhood he fell in love


with an accomplished girl and they were
engaged to be married. Her parents broke


off the match by secretly sending her away
to boarding school. This SO preyed upon


Austin's mind that he gave up business and
started out to find her. He travelled from
State to State, but in vain, and finally,


when his money was nearly spent, he re-
solved to settle down in Pennsylvania. He
fell into the hands of some spectators, who
soon got what cash he had, and decided him
the barren tract of land upon which he now
lives. His astonishment when he saw the
ssfarm' that had been decided him may be
imagined. He found nothing but forest


and as storm came up he was obliged to
take refuge in cave in ledge of rocks.
This cave he has ever since inhabited. For
nearly twenty years he subsisted upon wild
fruit and nuts, and i'll the Winter he trapped
game and fish. For three years the hermit
never saw human being. Previous to be-
ginning life as hermit he was proud of his
personal appearance, but he grew negligent,
and thick, shaggy beard covered his face,
and his hair grew long, far down below his
shoulders From the time he began his
hermit life he has never drawn razor
across his face. But he has grown tired of
that kind of life, and lately told Phila-
delphia Times correspondent that he intend
ed to return to civilization to die. n
Year: 1879

To cure scab in sheep, rub it with plaiI


petroleum with a sponge three times week


Dogs can be cured Of mango in the same


way.


Land laid down with clover is better thar
money in bank, drawing more interest than
any bank can pay and compounding the in
terest oftener.


The manure of cows and pigs resist de-
composition for longer time than that OF
the sheep and horse, both the latter being
dryer than the former, and decomposing
more readily in the soil.


One of the plainest indications of unsuc-
cessful farming is to see manure going to
waste or unemployed. When this is seen
there is no need looking beyond the stables
and yards to find out the condition of the
farm or to judge of the success of it's owner.


For a kicking horse fill an old sack with
hay and suspend it from the loft by means
of rope, in such manner that the horse
will be able to kick it every time it swings
against him. Let him kick until he stops
of his own accord, and you will have no
more trouble with him in that way.


In order to keep their butter over the Pc
riod of low prices and hot weather, Califor-
MIA dairymen seal up their products in tin
cans, sinking them in the bottom of cold
streams. Butter made in April comes out
in October in good order and continues to
keep fresh in the cool weather of winter.
Forty-pound cans are commonly used. Isn't
this worth trial here?


A writer we'll acquainted in dairy matters
says that during the summer, in order to
obtain the best results from them, mich
cows ought to be fed on meal and bran
They should stand in darkened stable, be-
tween eleven and five o'clock, during fly
time, and within these hours they may be
fed. This is far better than to let them
grass during the entire day, and they will
prove it by results and when you see a cow
scratching against a tree be sure that she
needs currying. She will stand the opera
ton as kitten will stand stroking. A cow
needs as much currying and cleaning as
horse.
Year: 1879

1t is possible that if the abstract question
whether Cornelia Chisholm, daughter of
Judge Chisholm, was shot at all was sub
mitted to Kemper county (Mississippi)
jury, there might be verdict that she was
shot, but if such finding involved the pun
isbment of any of the gang of murderers
who did the shooting, it is not improbable
that the jury would fail to agree upon that
abstract question. But she was shot most
brutally while endeavoring to save her faith
er from being murdered. She was shot by
a leader in the mob that attacked her father
while in the hands Of the Sheriff in jail
Henry Gully, the prisoner on trial, was a
leader in the mob; all the circumstances
show him to have been at the head of the
murderous conspiracy, and there was clear
positive evidence that he, with his gun, shot
Cornelia Chisholm-yet it took that Kemper
county jury bat half an hour to find a ver-
dict of not guilty!


Kemper and Yazoo are making up fatal
record for Mississippi too, fol those
who attempt to excuse or explain the muir
ders away. Atrocities and barbarities, such
as their names are now ineffaceably identi-
fed with live in and move the current OF
public feeling all over the United States
There have been failures of justice in the
North-mahy Of them-as we'll as in the
South; but the records of our Courts would
be searched in vain for a parallel to this
series Of cruel and barbarous murders and
the perversion of justice in the effort to
punish the murderers. Ledger.
Year: 1879

The Wdtchmdn, a religious journal of Boston, is alarmed at the freedom of movement allowed young women in the United States, seeing in it great danger to the morals and manners of our maid ems. IL contrasts the seclusion and watchful care of the French girls especi- ally with the liberty enjoyed here, and gives the French system the preference as the one the experience of an older civilization has proved to be the safest and the happiest in it's results. The French girl, is as we all know, is trained apart from the male sex, with whom she has no social contact unless in the pres ence of her mother or chaperson. She is educated in convent away from men, and she leaves 1t at the dawning of womanhood, to remain constantly under the eye of her mother until sh e is married, Public opinion, the tradi- tions of the society in which she moves, her hopes of mating, all forbid her to have any intercourse with men, except the most formal, and that, too, in the presence of her older female guardians. She cannot with safety free herself for moment from the apron strings, until she has become wife and the mistress of household.

 Some such particular supervision of young women, our Boston cotemporary contends, is now demanded by the con dition of our society. In neglecting to exercise it, American parents, we are told, imperil the moral welfare of their daughters, by exposing them to danger ous temptations, which may, at least, blunt the fine edge of maiden modesty.

 We have heard such talk as this be- fore, and very often of late years. There has been disposition in fashionable so- ciety to bring the services of the chaperon into greater use. This, of course, has been caused as much by desire to ape foreign customs as by any feeling of the important need of more closely watching the girls. But young ladies with us are rarely more than nominally
Year: 1879

The towers of the East river bridge between New York and Brooklyn rest on sunken caissons, which were substi- tuted for the solid foundation which the engineers were unable to obtain. It was expected that when the weight of the towers came upon the structure they would sink some. One of the engineers says:

 The New York tower rests upon p feet of timber, and is IS feet under wa ter. In making the timber foundation there was a gain of two and a half inches, by reason of the pieces not com ing close together. This we allowed to stand, expecting that the tower, when finished would sink more than that. But now, when the tower is all complet- ed, and over four-fifths of all the weight that is expected to bear upon it, we find that it has sunk about an inch and a half, or but little more than half of the unintentional increase in its height. Thatis not near so much as we expected. At certain altitude we had iron spikes driven into the angle to it on all sides, and we took the level from another spike, driven as bench mark into the sill of window in South street. By taking the difference in the level of those spikes to-day. we get the distance the tower has sunk. Another peculiar thing is that it has sunk evenly all around. The Brooklyn tower has not sunk so much, not over an inch, think.
Year: 1879

There was an interesting test made yesterday afternoon of the audiphone in Mir. McGregor's room of deaf mute scholars in the Franklin street school. The test was directed by Mir. J. w. Graydon, of the Pulvermacher Galvanie Company, in the presence of several members of the press. The audiphone consists of flat substance, which is placed between the teeth of the deal person, and trumpet or mouth-piece, which is very little larger than an old fashioned silver watch, can be carried in the vest pocket. and is more convienent and also more effective than the car trumpet, as substitute for which it will be principally used. The two pieces are connected by string or sound conductor of some kind.

 The sound enters through the mouth piece on the principle of the microphone thence through the teeth to the auditory nerve. It was MT, Graydon's purpose to test the instrument and see whether a sound could by its means be conducted to deaf mute whose auditory nerve was paralyzed and dead. Three or four or the totally deaf mute children were tTlSu, DuJ ntaru HO bOullu dl ill. g>tNefdl were then tried who were mutes but could hear very little, showing that the nerve was not paralyzed. These all heard to a greater or less degree, accord ing to the nature of their deafness In the case of one little girl who could not distinguish words unless shonted into her ear, the audiphone was used with success. The string connecting the mouth-piece with the teeth-piece was about thirty feet long, and at that dist ance MT. Graydon by its uses succeeded in making the girl hear and report by signs short words spoken in an ordinary tone of voice. A colored girl who was almost entirely deaf, but who was not mute, heard distinctly words spoken in an ordinary tone and repeated them. A boy was next tried who lost his hearing suddenly without pain, and, as was sup posed, by paralysis. With him not the remotest particle of sound could be conveyed. The audiphone inventors claim that with it's use deaf people whose auditory nerve has not been paralyzed will be able to hear conversation within short distance with much more ease than with the ear-tumpet.
Year: 1879

Petersburg (Na,) Appeal Letter,

 think our Southern girls are too of ten undeservedly taken to task for their incidence and wand of ingenuity in de- vising means of securing a livelihood when the old folks are no longer able to assist them, and a husband does not come forward to rescue the unhappy girl from old maidenhood. I have just heard of an exception to this rule, at any rate. The spunky girl in question is from one of the upper counties of this state. At an early age she was left penniless orphan. She managed, how. ever, by dint of economy and the assist ance, probably, of some of her distant relatives, to obtain an education, hoping when she had completed her studies to secure school and earn her bread in that way. But, like many another,w her school days were ended this young girl found that the avocation she had marked out for herself was also the choice of thousands of others, who, like herself were striving to win their bread in that way. After vainly endeayoring for several months to obtain a school

 the young lady gave up the idea in utter disgust and determined to find other employment. Her attention was next turned to that precarious and often ar duous life of a saleswoman. But being without experience, she again found it difficult, in fact, impossible, to secure a position. It was then that some triifng occurrence decided her to adopt her present, it may be considered unwo- manly trade-which is that of shoe maker. The girl came here, sought and found house where she was taught the trade. She served an apprentice ship of four years, and it is said can now turn out as good shoe as any man in the business who has not had more ex- perience. She now has means of earn ing living without being dependent upon the whims of eXacting parents and spoilt children. The lady is now think ing of going into the shoe man. ufacturing business on her own account, and, if she could find suitable one, she might be induced to accept suitable male partner, provided he would agree not to make love to her and offer to dissolve the mercantile partnership and go into domestic one. In which case, if the home life did not go on smoothly, and the husband was troublesome, she might make lasting impression on him. The brave girl is now probably about p years old, and from her tender physique one would hardly guess that she would have chosen the arduous mode of making living that she has. There was, however, but little choice in the matter-she had to earn q support for herself, and probably others dependant on her efforts, and she has fitted herself for the task, and she deserves the praise of all good people.
Year: 1879

Tepid water is produced by combining two-third cold and one-third boiling wa ter.

 Never put a pudding that is to be steamed into anything else than a dry mould.

 Old potatoes may be freshened up by plunging them into cold water before cooking them.

 In making a crust of any kind do not melt the lard in the flour. Melting will injure the crust.

 The yolk of eggs binds the crust much better than the whites. Apply it to the edges with a brush.

 The water used in mixing bread must be tepid hot. If it is too hot the loaf will be full of great holes.

 To boil potatoes successfully: When the skin breaks, pour of the water and let them finish cooking in their own steam.

 Never wash raisins that are to be used in sweet dishes. It will make the pud- tng heavy. To clean them, wipe with a dry towel.

 In boiling dumplings of any kind put them in the water one at time. If they are put together they will mix with each other.

 To make macaroni tender put it in cold water and bring it to boil. It will then be much more tender than if put in hot water or stewed in milk.

 Outlets and steak may be fried as well as broiled, but they must be in hot but ter or lard. The grease will be quite hot enough when it throws blueish smoke.

 To brown sugar for sauce, or for pud- dings, put the sugar in a perfectly dry saucepan. If the pan is the least bit wet, the sugar will burn and you will spoil yOllr Saucepan
Year: 1879

A juryman in the criminal court of the district of Columbia was necessarily ex- cused from further service, the other day, for the simple reason that he had been convicted of stealing pair of shoes, and so his presence was peremptorily required in the jail. There was another disappointment, for the same charming character had been announced to deliver an address before the Pioneer Sunday School Association on the question of "What the Bible Teaches Man"
Year: 1879

The efficiency of local sanitation in stamping out yellow fever has been clearly demonstrated in New Orleans this season. The disease started up four or five times, and each time was stran- gled promptly by this means, We are glad too see the Galveston NeUs of yes terday advocating intercourse with her by way of the mouth of the Mississippi, which, we now believe, can be had with safety.
Year: 1879

The law of Tennessee prohibiting
he sale of coal oil, standing a lower
test than 1902, is good one, but it is
being most shamelessly broken in
many places in East Tennessee, par
ticularly along the line of railroad and
neighbOTing towns. Dealers for the
sake Of a few cents additional profit
on a gallon, violate the law, and place
in jeopardy toe lives and property of
unsuspecting customers. Much of the
oil now sold, particularly that which
comes from the Eastern market, is
absolutely dangerous. That which
comes from the West has to pass q
rigid inspection at Knoxville, and is
therefore of better quality. The law
governing the sale of oil should be
rigidly enforced, no matter who it af-
iects, and the attention of prosecuting
Attorneys is called 10 the matter, to
The end that lives and property be not
fecklessly exposed to such ealamities as
VIII follow if the present disregard of
law is persevered in.
Year: 1879

A large part Of our space to-day is
given up 10 the message of Governor
Marks, and by far the greater part of
that document is devoted to the con-
sideration of the State debt. OF the
ability with which this great question
is discussed our readers must judge !;
but it is evident that while favOring
the reputation of much the greater
portion OF ir, with the hesitatiug, non
comm;ttal policy which has always
characterized ElEs, Gov, Marks still
proposes to shift the responsibility
from his shoulders and that Of the
Legislature and put the question for
decision to the people of the State.
With such sophisticsl arguments as
his to enlighten them and his ipsinu-
atiOns of illegality and fraud, there
can be little doubt as TO how they
would decide. The plea that the
railroads were allowed to pay in the
post war bonds because Of fear of Fed
eral interference is, to say the least,
weak and absurd. Gov. Marks, it will
be seen, puts the bonds into five
classes, the first being the debt for the
Hermitage and the Capitol, is the only
part about which he is fully satisfied,
and he even thinks this should 6e
scaled down.


He is plainly opposed to the States
receiving the TOrbett issue for taxes.
The Governor undoubtedly means his
administration to be a model of econO-
my, but in doing so he should take
care that it is not, also, q page of dis
grace In the States history.
Year: 1879

Candidates for tliu High School this year had
to work against a severe Board OF Examiners,
md tho young persons who scored Of out OF q
possible 100 had good deal to bo thankful for.
There must have bccu MI unusually largo NUN.
bur tho wrong side Of 10.
Year: 1879

Republicans of AIaine victory is yours
to-day if you will but seize upon it. Our
canvass shows that the State is ours if Re
pubhcans do their duty. There ought to be
no doubt of that. The watchword must be
work, work, work, and again, work. until
the going down of the sun to-day. If Re-
publcans are guided by the spirit OF that
watchword the sun will set upon State re-
deemed and victory achieved.


Republicans should give this day to their
party, and direct all their efforts to its sue
cess. Each man should make it matter of
personal interest, take all the appeals made
throughout the canvass as made to himself,
and give his time and strength and all the
power that is in him to the accomplishment
of Republican victory. He should not
trust to the work done and doing by the ac-
tive leaders in his town or city; he should
not trust to the work done by his neighbor;
he should make the fight his fight and go in
to win. Old men and young men, the Old
Guard and the Young Guard of the Repub-
licans, nay, the Veteran Reserve itself,
SCARED by the wounds of many conflict,
must be promptly on the ground and in
fighting trim,-must be ready to push back
the enemy at every point of the long line
until our opponents break and fly. 'Up
Guards and at them," and we shall infict a
Waterloo defeat on the coalition.
Year: 1879

The Republican candidates for Represen-
tatives to the Legislature from this city can
not be too strongly commended to the voters
of Portland. The ticket is one of great mer-
it, and its success should be sought for by
all our citizens. Without disparaging the
worthy gentlemen whom the Opposition
have nominated it can be sincerely said that
the Republican ticket is the stronger, and
the better framed 10 further the interests of
the city.


Certainly it is for the interest of the city
and of every property-holder in it that ex-
Mayor Butler should represent Portland in
the next Legislature, when the question of
State Valuation comes up. His sagacity,
experience, and intimate acquaintance with
matters of valuation and taxation, will make
him indispensable there if the claims of the
city are to be put in the clearest and most
convincing way With him stands Mr..
Strout, whose legal ability, wide acquain
tance throughout the State, and brilliant
qualities as an advocate, will make him of
very effective service. Messrs. Maxcy,
True and Redlon, representing the CONNER
cal and mechanical industries of the city,
will be valuable allies.


1t should be borne in mind, too, that if
our delegation be in political sympathy with
the majority of the House its propositions
will be received with greater favor and stand
a better chance for acceptance. That ma
,jority will be Republican. OF that no doubt
can now be entertained. A Democratic
delegation from this city, no matter how
well made up, must inevitably fail to COM
mand the attention and confidence which
would in the next Legislature be accorded
to Republican delegation. Our citizens
will do well to bear these considerations in
mind when they vote. 1t is for the in crest
of all of them that Portland should have
the strongest representation possible.
Year: 1879

During the vital crises of the rebellion,
when defeat after defeat rolled back upon
our armies in the field, and our great cities
rocked with fierce internal commotion, as
the time drew round for the Fall elections in
the North, the loyal hearts of the nation
looked anxiously for the annual verdict of
Maine, well knowing that as she spoke would
be voiced in clarion tones, encouragement
to our gallant soldiers, and corresponding
chagrin and disappointment to the rebel
leaders and skulking treason at home. And
Maine never failed to respond most unequiv
ocally to the anticipations of that loyal SEN
timent. Voters of Maine, the same senti-
ment is looking to you to-day, to place your
State again in the Republican column, and
to strike the keynote for the great campaign
of 1880. And you will do it.