smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

Lazy as we are wont to consider the Ori-
entails, many of the 6 matches against
time" achieved by them may bear COM
parison with the best of those now pend
ing among ourselves. An Arab donkey
boy will go at run all the way from
Cairo to the Pyramids and back again,
without any visible signs of fatigue. A
Sikh dispatch bearer will scamper
through miles of jungle in the dark,
shaking bunch of metal rings to scare
away the tiger and hyena. Four meagre
Hindoos, who appear barely able to
carry hand bag, will take heavy pal
anquin, containing an officer and all his
belongings, over the ground at smart
trot for hours together. Even more mar
velous are the achievements of the Per-
trained from their very childhood to feats
of strength and activity, daily accomplish
distance bordering upon the incredible.
Not many years ago one of these men
reached Terheran fully two hours before
his appointed time, having covered an
immense tract of very difficult country in
fourteen hours of almost incessant run
ming but his chief, SO far from praising
him, simply remarked: "Could you not
have done It in twelve?" and on his re-
turn journey the indomitable man actu-
ally did SO. The occupation is danger
our one, not only from the extraordinary
exertions which it demands, but also from
the fact of the runners being so tightly
girded that fall or even a stumble would
be certain death. Persian chroniclers re-
late that certain native prince once
promised his daughter to any man who
would keep up with his chariot all the
way from Teheran to Ispahan. A cele-
brated shatir undertook the task, and
held his own till the gate of Ispahan was
in full view, when the shah alarmed at
the prospect of having to make good his
rash promise, let fall his whip. The
runner, knowing it would cost him his
life to stoop, contrived to pick it up with
his feet The treacherous monarch then
dropped his ring, when the shatir, seeing
that his fate was sealed, exclaimed re-


proachfully: Oh! king, you have


broken your faith, but am true te


miner picked up the ring; and fell dead


on the spot.
Year: 1879

An Egyptian desert snail was received
at the British Museum on March 70,
1886. The animal was not known to be
alive, as it had Withdrawn into the shell
and the specimen was accordingly
gummed, mouth downward, on the table,
duly labeled and dated, and left to it's
fate. Instead of starving, this contented
gasteropod simply went to sleep in a
quiet way, and never woke up again for
four wears. The tablet was then placed
in tepid water and the shell loosened,
when the dormant snail suddenly re-
suscitated himself, began walking about
the basin, and finally sat for his portrait,
which may be seen Of life size In Mr:
Woodward's g Manual of the Monusca. >
Now, during those four years the snail
had never eaten mouthful of any food
vet he was quite as well and fourishine
at the end Of the period as he had been
at the beginning.
Year: 1879

On very cold day two men were driv-
ing along narrow road, in opposite di-
rections, and one or the other would be
compelled to turn out. This would not
be an easy job, for the snow was nearly
two feet deep on either side of the road /;
so they drove close to each other before
they stopped. One of them drove light
sleigh, while the other had two horses
hitched to heavy load of lumber, and it
was but natural for the driver of the
heavy team to suppose the other would
give the road. But this, he who drove
the sleigh did not intend to do. He was
a witty man, and, as he filed the position
of Judge, he was held in awe by most of
the people near where he lived.


sTurn out !" exclaimed the Judge, as
soon as the teams had come to stand
still.


"I won't do it," answered the other,
stoutly.


'You had BETTER" replied the Judge
if you don't, I'll very soon show you
what I'll do"


The man eyed the judge keenly for a
short time, and then, fearing that the
man of law might go to extremes, he got
off his sled and commenced trampine
snow SO that he could get his team out Of
the road.


The judge sat quietly in his sleigh and
watched the teamster at his laborious
task, which lasted half an hour. At last
it was accomplished, and the two teams
were ready to resume their respective
journeys.


'.Now," said the teamster, addressing
the Judge, s.I would like to know wha
you would have done if I had not turned
out ?"


why" answered the judge, with .
dry smile, s'if you had not turned out
I would"
Year: 1879

a SyNRATHIzER says Le can sympa-
it is himself; daring the FIRE in China alley las.
Saturday what was supposed to lie China


man was seen descending the portico holding
on Ike grim death TO sick Niger; the boys
nity of giving the supposed heather thorough
piping off, 50 the hose WAS turned on him anil
the yelling encouragement OF the crowd and he
was completely drencaal. But when he got
down they saw his beard, and for time the
boys wished themselves entcmhei in solid
granite. Instead OF poor ehin2lnan it turned
ont to he Doe Holmes. who had been working
like hero up stairs. and WAS trying to descend
Year: 1879

n FIRE IN NCHINATowE.-1t is but question
OF time when this sink hole of dirt. disgrace
and crime will be the ruin of the husi,ess nor
ton OF the city, in the center of which !. Is
situated Last Saturday. about dark. an alarm
OF fire was raised there it was discovered tba,
the roof was on fire, caused by upsettinr Of a
Coal OIL lamp. Providentially there was no
WIND blowing at the time or we should have
had ruination to chronicle. The engines were
promptly on the ground and a thorough drenob.
Ing was gratutiously given the wre.ched dens
and the long tailed sprigs of celestial grace
wao yegetate therein This alley is a STANDING
disgrace to the city of Walla WaIIa. and
the papers time and again have condemned il
IN unmeasured terms Whoever the a,,bor;.
ties are seem perfectly Indifferent TO taking the
least action looking to the removal of the whole
pestiterous rookery. It is openly talked that
they dare not make move because forsoo,b
by so doing they will offend the two rich men
who own these houses of prostitution, opium
smoking and gambling All around we see
comparatively poor men investing their lit,le
all IN order to gain livlihood ike good eiti-
zens, and all the while menaced by the con-
slant danger they are in through these China
men. 1t is well known that the city marshals
of every town levy a tribute on these Chinese
dens, and calculate upon what they derive
from them as part Of their income. For this
they always remain passive when their action
is needed. 1t is not merely indifference, but
quiet kind OF resistance which does the busi
ness much more effectually, There are exist
ing. city ordinances which If enforced bv a
marshal who was Jealous in the cause would
compel the Eeathens to murmur, "The Chinese
mast z" somewhere else. Our citizens have
had quite enough of this. and laud and con-
slant are their complaints.
Year: 1879

PAU AND NIRCIyIA.-B Black in his last
issue announces the taking Of to his g buzznm
might he wedding compliment but for the
fact that it is an enormous stalk Of rhubarb,
the leaf of which is large enough for good
siZed umbrella. As we gaze6 up"n it, memory
went back to the blissful days of happy child
hood, and in nagination fancied Paul and
Black arms entwined with Paul shading the
fair 3 coun;enance Of his friend with this enor-
nous leaf from the burning gaze Of the sun.
1t was Parl ard Virginia oyer again.
Year: 1879

JUDGE CLARK. 1t will be IL great source OF
satisfaction to the friends of this gentleman to
know that he is not removed, neither is there
the least probability of it at present He IS a
it;:,e the northern country cOnia lily afford to
lose, and \ removal would be calamity He
has secret underhanded enemies who claim to
be democrats, bu: who at the same time braS
OF their republican friends in tie Senate.
Year: 1879

CaFslzED. Major Maynadier ana Colonel
Hubbard. in coming over steep grade some
where out in the country in their ambulance
the driver managed to upset tie whole concern
for a time it was thought that the Majors leg
was broken, but it turned out not to be SO.
Uncle Billy escaped as usual with only scare.
Year: 1879

OUE II H,RvFsT. Strangers are enthusiastic
over the wonderful crops iu these valleys. In
every inst:r:, they tell us that they will not
lie believed whan they return unless they take
back some samples of the grain Even old res
identS here are astouished when they go out
and see the wonderful fields Of waving grain
on every side When we consider that with
our unparalleled yield the price will CORES
pond there is no wonder that our farmers be-
gin to think they have at last CAMEL their re-
ward for their long waiting.
Year: 1879

ST LOUIS, Aug. 25.-The Times Journal this morning announces that under the new owner and manager it will be thoroughly independent in politics, and will support for office only such men and tickets as at the time it deems the best, and in other respects it intends to promote the general welfare of St. Louis, and stand by the interests of the many as against the few, oppose cliques and rings in and out of politics, and do all it can to advance. the real busi- ness interests of the community
Year: 1879

What is to be the ultimate result Of
the constant Improvement" in ma
chineryl 1t is easy to answer that by
cheapening processes of production, ar
ticles which only the wealthy could for
merly enjoy are brought within the reach
of the poor, and that is. the way the
consumption is greatly increased, and q
market opened for the increased supply.
Up to certain point that works admir-
ably, but may there not be point be
yond which it will not work 2 Does
the demand increase in a ratio sufficient
to furnish employment to those whom
improvements in labor-saving machines
throw out of work, and if it has done SO
in the past, will it continue to do so in
the futurel A person visiting cotton
mill will be struck by the loneliness of
the vast halls in which the weaving is
done. Busy minds are constantly seek
ing means to make it more lonely-that
is, to reduce the number of persons nee
essary to do the work. A vast change
has been made within the past decade,
and the end is not yet, by any means,
indeed; in some branches Of manufacture
it is claimed that the machinery has
been made so nearly perfect that one
person can tend roomful of machinery
and have but little to do at that.
Should the advance in that direction Of
laborsaving he as great in the next de-
cade as in that which has passed, it is
difficult to believe that the old arguments
will hold good. There Is much food for
earnest thought in his--Causeur, in
Boston Transcript
Year: 1879

Talmage Torever He Is proving him
self friend Of the poor down-trodden
producer Listen-"EVeTy Time yon
throw brickbat at me will pour oil on
your head till it runs down on your Goa,
collar. Our prayer now Is that the sock
Of bricks may not run out.
Year: 1879




The carrot prefers light, sandy loan.
of medium fertility. A good coat of
manure, applied to the soil the previous
year, will prove Of advantage; but if it
is manfred the same season it should be
with guano after the crop is up. 8


AS A GARDEN CRoP.-For garden cul-
tlre the earliest.c crop should be sown as
soon as the ground is fit to work. Late
crops for winter use can be Sown any
time before the middle of June. The
seed should be soaked couple of days
in water; and Immediately afterward
mixed with a small quantity of ashes or
plaster. This will prevent the seed from
adhering together and it can then be
sown more evenly. Sow in rows fifteen
inches apart and cover the seed with
about half an inch of soil. Later, the
young plants should be thinned to three
inches apart in the row. Cultivate
diligently, and remove all weeds from
the rows. The carrot crop is one of
those crops that are irrevocably dam
aged if the weeds are allowed to get the
start. The Early Horn and Atringham
are among the best varieties for cooking
purposes. For winter use, carrots are
most conveniently kept in cellar.
packed in dry sand


AS A FIELD CRoP.-But the carrot is
more extensively cultivated as field
crop for food for cattle and horses. For
this purpose the Long Orange and Large
White Belgian are the best. In good
soil these may attain size of twelve
inches long and three inches thick, and
give a yield of hom 1000 to 1 400 bush
els to the acre. The land, which though
light must not suffer from lack of mois-
ture, should be thoroughly pulverized
by deep plowing and repeated harrow
ing. Soak the seed and mix it with
ashes or plaster as before, and SOW it
from the middle of May to the first of
June. in rows two feet apart with a
seed-drill, taking care that it does not
clog in the hopper. Hoe the crop as soon
as the rows can be seen, and when a
couple of inches high, the plants should
be thinned to six or seven inches apart.
After this, the horse-cultivator should
90 through the plat at least once fort
night, as long as the crop is growing.
In the fall. when the roots are taken up,
they should be allowed to dry in the sun
for a couple of days after the tops are cut
off, before they are put up for winter
use. They may be stored in cellar,
out-of-doors, or in pits, like potatoes and
etlHlpo, put 1etFlHS q SICttOCI ICuIlCDty
to decay than these, when put together
in large quantities, they should be placed
in small heaps only.


A crop of carrots is somewhat more
expensive to raise than a crop of turnips,
but for winter and spring feed, both for
horses and cattle, they are said to be
better than any other root crop. Fed in
moderate quantities, they strengthen the
digestive organs of the animals and help
to assimilate other food eaten in connec-
ton with them. Experienced dairymen
have maintained that carrots, fed to
milch cows, not only increase the flow
Of milk; but that they impart flavor to
the milk similar to that from green pas
turage, and that the butter from cows
fed on the Orange varieties acquires a
color like summer butter The follow
ing analysis gives the composition of
carrots:
Year: 1879

Probably the oldest timber in the
world which has been subjected to the
use of man is that which is found in the
ancient temples of Egypt. 1t is found
as dowel-pins in connection with stone
work which is known to be at least 4, 1000
years old. These bowels appear to be
of tamarisk, or chittim- wood, of which
the ark is said to have been constructed,
a sacred tree in Egypt. and now very
rarely found in the valley of the Nile.
Year: 1879

A NOVEL GAME OF BASE BALL.-A
very amusing game of baseball was
played yesterday afternoon, at the
Resseation Grounds, between the Gin
ci1eati Red Stockings and nine
composed of the members of the Col
vile Opera Burlesque Troupe. The
Red Stockings batted and threw left
handed, and were compelled to make
the tour of the bases in the opposite
direction--running to the third base
first, then to second, to first and then
home. The ludicrous errors made in
attempting to throw left-handed were
exceedingly funny, and when the
player forgot himself and used his
right hand, the striker was declared
not out by the umpire. The Cincln-
natis won by score of 35 to 81
CaH, Nor. -.
Year: 1879

On the 22d of October, meeting


was held in New York, comprised Of


leading farmers from the adjacent


States and of other persons directly


interested in agricultural affairs, hay


ing for its object the organization of


a National Agricultural Society


modelled somewhat after the Royal


Agricultural Society of England.


The projectors had previously cor


responded on the subject with prom


inent farmers in many States and


had received encouraging replies.


The meeting therefore organized,
and after due deliberation appointed
q committee to open correspond
ance with every section of the Union,
end to call National Convention to
be held at New York on the 10th of
December. The call has been duly
issued and signed by 100 persons,
many of whom are of national rep
utation.


The purposes in view are these:
The advancement of agricultural in
the United States by practical meth
ods; periodical exhibitions of the
products of the soil in the principal
cities of the country; the employ
ment of idle labor; the encourage
ment of European immigration, an
increase of the present yield of lands
under cultivation, and the settlement
and cultivation of unoccupied lands;
the discussion of questions relating
to agriculture and the commerce in
its products; the collection and dis
semination of the best agricultural
thought and experience; the pro-
of new ideas and the re-
lease of the farmer from drudgery
by the employment of more efficient
machinery; general increase of
the wealth Of the country by the in
crease of its producing capacities,
and close union of the tillers of the
soil for the guarding OF their own
interests and the advancement of the
general welfare.


The Royal Agricultural Society of
England alluded to, was organized
in 1888, contains over 7,4OO men,
bers and exerts a potent influence
throughout Great Britain. There is
little doubt but that the convention
this month was largely attended
and that its proceedings will attract
great attention. 1t is to be elegretted,
however, that more central point
than New York had not been select
ed for the place of meeting. St.
Louis. Cincinnati or Chicago would
have been far better.


In connection with this subject it
might be mentioned that bill will
be introduced at the present session
of Congress for the organization of
Department Of Agriculture, whose
executive officer shall be member
of the Cabinet, as is the case under
European Governments. No inter-
est in the country is of such momen-
tous Importance as that of agricul-
ture, and if actual farmers are placed
at the head of the proposed society
the most valuable and beneficial re-
suits will follow its organization.
Year: 1879

at the top of the hole rushed into
the space at the bottom, was caught
by the great rush of gas and thrown
lOO feet into the air. This natural
fountain has been gushing at the
rate of 1000 barrels of ice-cold
water q day ever since, with no indi-
cation that it will ever cease.
Year: 1879

A little girl out for her after
noon walk, saw pompous-looking
man struting down the street. With
childlike simplicity the little thing
ran up to him, touched him on the
shoulder and said: Excuse, sir,
are you anybody in PARTICULAR"
Year: 1879

CURIOUS EFFECT OF LECTURE
Miss Corson's lecture on cooking had
a singular effect upon the wife of O.
gentleman residing in Washington.
The gentleman was awakened from q
sound sleep about 2 o'clock in the
morning by q flood of gaslight in the
chamber, coming from the Jets in the
chandelier, burning at full head.


Standing over him, evidently in q
somnabulistic state, and in. a pose
closely resembling that of the late
Charlotte Cushman in the celebrated
sIeep-walking scene of Lady Mac
beth, stood his wife, while in either
hand, and ominously flashing in the
gaslight, she grasped the mammoth
carving knife and fork. Curious TO-
know just what -:..s going to be the
denouement of this singular scene,
he kept quiet while the lady solilo-
quized: "Hold the carver in an
easy position in the right hand, thu"
and she dipped the point of the huge
knife as gracefully as fencing-mas-
ter in the broadsword' exercise.
" Then," continued the culinary stu
dent, bend the left wrist slightly
and insert the fork in the breast of
the turkey, one prong Oh either side
of the breast-bone," and suiting the
action to the word, she was about to-
plung the fork into her husbands
anatomy, about where the ribs join
the sternum, when he. caught and
disarmed her. She drew back and
and glared at him for amomsnt, and
then, pushing back the sleeves of
her robe de mutt, pointed her finger
at him and exclaimed in a loud,
theatrical manner. The only way to-
reach your husbands heart is through
the stomach!' Since that night this
gentleman has slept in another apart
ment, with the door bolted and q
stack of trunks piled up against it.
Cincinnati Enquirer.
Year: 1879




FoRr MEADE. Dec. AIN the Reno Court
martial yesterday Miss Ella Sturges testi-
fed: "Was at home on the night of Nov.
10th; after 10 o'clock was in the library and
sitting room talking with mother; person
passing the front of the house would suppose
was alone. Heard a noise outside. Looked
out without moving from the chair and saw
something black move Thought it was
the gate then. Think now it was cape.
A little time after heard noise and saw
something. Thought nothing of it, A
moment afterward heard tapping on the


window; looked in time to see figure
| lump back. Told mother there was some
one at the window stepped forward and


looked out in the darkness. Saw
face gradually appear; was paralyzed with
! fright. Reno saw no one in the room but


myself; his eyes being fixed on mine so


frightened me l could not move. When


mother saw the state l was in she said,


ELLA, rum Only when heard n other
call father had l strength enough to
run in the corner. Reno's face was


against the glass; saw him a


few seconds. My first impression was that


he would shoot me II moved thought he


must have hard feelings toward father.


Reno's face was pale; looked as though he


was going to do something desperate;


stayed in the corner till father came down


when papa found me was only able to say,


Papa, Major Reno is at that window"
Year: 1879

to hope for more satisfactory results than
at any time since the Commission COM
menced its labors. The Secretary is hourly
expecting information from the Commits,
sion of a decided character, which he will
give to the public at once.
Year: 1879

flash OF lightning is very largo spark
of electricity just the same thing that one
secs given by an electric machine in lee
ture on natural philosophy, tho only differ
ence being that tho best machine will not
give spark more than yard long, whilo
some flashes oflightning have been estimated
to be several miles in length. According to
their appearance, various names have, been
given to these sparks in tho sky, though in
reality all the several kinds arc one and the
Same thing. On warm SUMMER evening,


one often secs the clouds on tho horizon lit
up with brilliant glows of lightning unac-
companied by any sound of thunder. To
this appearance the name of heat lightning
has been given, and>the warm weather Is
often assigned as its cause. In point Of
fact, the heat lightning is only that of a
thunder shower so far off that while the
observer can see the FASH no sound Of
thunder reaches him, and the intervening
clouds veil and reflect the flash until 1t be-
comes a glow instead of the sharp streak
usually soen. Where the flash, starting from
ono point, branches out and divides into
several parts, 1t has received the name Of
"forkcd lightning" This Is usually seen
when the discharge Is near the observer.
Single flashes bearing zigzag or crinkled
aspect are donominated ''chain lightning"
probably from their resemblance to chain


thrown loosely on the ground. Again,
when several discharges occur from about
the same place at the Same time, and are
screened by rain or clouds so as to light up
the heavens with a broad. bright glow, the
title Of ''shect lightning is applied. There
four comprise all tho common forms. These
is, however, one rare manifestation, called
''ball lightning" In this phenomenon, a
small globeor bail Of apparent fire rolls
slowly along the ground, and after a time
suddenly explodes, scattering destruction
around There are hut fow, instances Of
this on record, and no very satisfactory ex-
planssion has ever accounted for this curious
.appsaranss