smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

Recently the effects of an insolvent
undertaker's establishment in New
Haven, were sold out under the hammer
OF sheriff's sale. The stock included
many caskets and cofins, all OF which
were bought by one party, The after.
noon of the sale the gentleman buying
the stock arranged to have the baskets
removed from the premises, and employ
ed an Irishman as an assistant. Near
the undertaker's establishment was q
Jolly German butcher. He conceived
the idea of frightening Paddy and
communicated his idea to the man in
charge of the removal. The butcher
selected good sized coffin and crawled
into it and laid himself down and allow
ed himself to be securely fastened, and
waited for events. The removal of the cof-
fins began. One after another was taken
out by the teamster and Paddy each
taking an end, Finally Paddy got hold
OF the one containing the butcher. His
companion took hold of the foot, and
Paddy the head Of the coffiu. They
lifted it, but it was unusually heavy.
Both looked at each other in frighten-
ed manner. Paddy set his end down
and said; BE gorrah, there's body in
that one they've forgot to bury A
screw-driver vas obtained and the lid
removed, and Paddy discovered the
features of the butcher who lay quiet
and composedly rs corpse, with
his eyes closed. As soon as Paddy saw
the body he jumped high into the air,
and exclaimed: Il tould you 80, and
then ran out of the building and could
not be induced to re-enter it again,
neither would he continue his labors in
that direction, but utterly refused to
touch another coffin.
Year: 1879

The Detroit Free Press has discover
ed in that city firm engaged in the
manufacture of the common clay pipes
which!sell atsuch low figure, and gives
an insight into its workings: ALI the
clay used is purchased at Baltimore, and
costs from 800 to 500 per carload. 1t
arrives at the factory in hard, dry Jumps,
and must be thoroughly soaked in big
tub or tank before it is ready for USE
The soft clay is then rolled, and knead-
ed and mixed together until it forms a
solid mass withoutany Jumps. Six men
sit around a table with lot of damp
clay within easy reach. Grasping a
lump in each hand the workman rolls it
back and forth on the table, shaping it
with his hand until it resembles a pipe,
and then laying it one side until tray
full of wet, embryo pipes has been accu-
mulated. The tray is then placed out
doors in the sun to dry, and after an
hour or two is brought inside by the
same workman, showed into an iron
mold and pressed into shape with a
quick pull at lever. The hole through
the pipe is made by hand with piece OF
wire, well creased. Two girls at an ad-
joining table receive the pipes at this
stage of their manufacture and scrape
of the ridges and other imperfections
left by the mold. The wet pipes are
then taken out of the shop and placed in
large crooks or tubs of fire clay, called
saggers. As fast as the saggers are fill
cd they are piled one above another in
side brick kiln, and two or three times
a week the kiln is fred and subjected to
intense heat for several hours until the
pipes are baked thoroughly white. The
stem of each pipe is then coated with a
yellow mixture of shellac, tumeric and
other substances to prevent it from
sticking to the lips, and the pipe is
ready for shipment in boxes partially
filed with aawduat
Year: 1879

At the recent meeting of the philoso.
pliers in Concord at Mr.. Alcott's sum.
mer school, extracts were read from the
journal Of Thoreau, the most. of which
have never been in print. Among many
passages read were the following
Whatever your sex or position, life is a
battle in which you are TO show your
pluck, and woe be to the coward. De-
spair and postponement are,cowardice
and defeat, Men we're born to succeed,
not to fall Woe to him who wants a
companion, for he is unfit to be the
companion even of himself There is
no remedy for love but to leve more. =
what does education often do? 1t
makes a straightcut ditch of free
meandering brook The blue sky is a
distant reelection of the azure serenity
that looks out from under human
brow 'Oheap persons will stand upon
ceremony, because there is no other
ground, but to the great of the earth
we need no introduction, nor do they
need any to u.s.. Il love ny friends
very much, but 1 find that it is of no
use to 60 to see them. 1 hate them
commonly when I am near them; they
belle themselves and deny me contin-
ually.'
Year: 1879

From Prof. Won Holst's latest volume
on the political history Of the United
States we extract this pen-and-ink sketch
OF President Andrew jackson and his
successor, Martin Van Buren,: The pic
ture OF the rising and OF the setting sun
symbolized them very badly. Rather
did they suggest to the mind the little
urchin evening star, led and supported


by the strong hand of the parent sun oi
Hebel's poem-Jackson, a man with a
tall, lean form, erect and straight; his
feshless hand firmly grasping the knob
Of his walking stick, without the aid Of
which his stifiened legs and swollen feet
refused TO move with their wonted Ger.
tainty; every wrinkle OF his long, sharp.
ly-cut face carved as ii were in granite;
his large eyes behind his bushy eye
brows beaming with undiminjshed
brightness spite Of his spectacles; his
white but still plentiful hair bristling
up from his perpendicular forehead
Van Buren, on the other hand, reaching
only precisely the middle height, in
blaneless toilet, his smooth, snow-white
shirtbosom in complete harmony with
his round face, carefully shaved, with
the exception of very decent side-whis-
kers; his large double chin finding q
pleasant support on his broad, black
cravat; the only characteristic folds
proceeding from his feshy under lip; q
settled smile in which studied, oblig-
ing manner, native good-nature and
shrewdness have equal shares; in his


bright-colored, vivacious, twinkling
eyes the same qualities to be read; q
round, high forehead, which appears
higher still from the absence Of hair on
the crown, and bears evidence of endow.
ments, without, however, wearing the
stamp of the thinker; friendly, we'll
meaning bourgeois, in whom the largest
and best part of simplicity and honesty
are scarcely much more than skin-deep,
in opposition to which the diplomatic
reserve is more than thin varnish, Ia.
boriously acquired by the parvenu. His
wide mouth is certainly able in speech,
but it is still better skilled in the art OF
silence conscious of its object. The
man understands how to wait without
manifestiDg the least sign Of impatience;
but he will never walk away from a
mark he has once aimed at, and he
thinks himself good enough for the best.


Even if his temperament should not
preserve him from palpable misdeeds,


he would never become guilty of them,


because he is wise enough to know that


they would be irreparable Mistakes


With happy facility he reconciles him.
self to the most different convictions and
parts, and even to those of the man sure
of himself and rooted in principle. He
does not urge his boat onward by the
powerful oar-strokes of his own arm;
but he knows where to find a proper rag
as sail to catch every wind that blows.
Year: 1879

Foreign ministers residing in Wash
ington are sometimes exceedingly frugal.
The Republic relates an incident in
point: Not long ago foreign minister
of a first-class power asked prominent
gentleman Of this city to breakfast with
him, saying the meal would be quiet
one. The gentleman felt honored, and
took good appetite with him to the
minister's residence the next morning.
The minister was very affable, but made
some excuses, ending by inquiring il
his guest could breakfast on rye bread
and Rhine wine. The gentleman said
he was very fond OF rye bread and Rhine
wine, and 80 the way was led to the
dining-room. Sure enough, there was
nothing on the table but rye bread and
a little butter. The gentleman concealed
his surprise, expecting at least glass ol
superior Rhine wine, and got along the
best he could with the bread and butter,
But he did not get the wine.
Year: 1879

The Maid and the Leaf.
A dead leaf driftcd along tho SNOW,
A poor brown leaf with edges torn;
Now here nov there, blown h gh aud low.
An Outcast aid thing OF icorn.


Alas Alas
So life drifts on TO hearts iorlorn.
Once in bower, fresh and bright,
Kissed by the sun-rays and the dew,
A maid to fee the hot suns might
Prone on the ground her fair limbs threw,


To sleep, 10 Sleep
And dream OF some one that she knew.
She slept and dreamed horrid thing
That he che loved from her would stray
And starting up, deep sorrowing,
Resolved to seek him out that day.


Alas Alas
Twas ell too true-he'd fed away.
Hor last love token-just leaf
isycamore-love's emblem bright,
She threw away then prayed that grief
Might bear her of from mortal sight,


Alas Alas
While the dead leaf dritted through the
night
Year: 1879

A correspondent at the White Sulphur
springs announces that it is a common
occurrence for young people to engage
themselves, and enjoy all the privileges
of lovers during the season, and then
drop the matter as il it were of no mo-
ment One girl he tells Of was too sharp
for such practice, however, and he thus
recounts the case: Il love you with q
love that the English language does not
furnish words wherewith for me to ex-
press myself, 10 Louisiana gentleman
said to pretty Baltimore girl the other
day. do you p she said. ALIAS yes,
said he. We'll, then, was the sensible
answer. suppose you wait till I get
home and tell me 80 there The gen.
tleman subsided, and though it speaks
we'll for her good sense, she might bet
ter have kept it to herself. However, it
is put on record here for the benefit Of
the unwary. Yes, most Of the love af-
fairs born OF sulphur water, hot weather
and the german are but Aeeting fancies.
You loved Miss Flora A. last season;
how is it you see nothing OF her this p
asked a young lady of masculine friend
the other day. where is that pretty
yellow aud black dress you wore last
season p he asked. 'Oh it's worn out.
That's what's the matter with Miss
Flora, for sweetheartB as we'll as dresses
wear out.
Year: 1879




WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S.-The cabinet to-day
again gave attention to the Indian question.
Secretary Schurz presented reports that were
received at the interior department yesterday,
confirming the crossing into this country of
Sitting Bull and number of his people. The
subject engages the attention of the state de-
partment as well as that of the interior and
war departments. The information is meagre.
but 1t Is expected the government will have
tu!ler and more definite advices very soon. The
opinion is not withheld in official circles here
that this Indian advance suggests trouble in
the spring, and means are already being taken
to prevent it. plan has been agreed upon for
settling the relations of the government with
these Indians, but It's details are not yet made
known. The secretaries of the war and interior
departments will make definite arrangements
concerning it. McCrary was absent from the
session. on account of sickness in his family.


PENSION ARREARAaEs.


There was an extended legal discussion at the
meeting, with reference to the construction to
be placed upon certain portions of the pension
arrearages bill. It is matter of great import
ance as to where the payment OF arrearages
begins whether on the date of the discharge of
the pensions from the governments service, or
at the period at which the disability COM
menced. After considerable debate on this
topic the matter was left for the opinion Of the
attorney general.
Year: 1879




Washington Special


Senator Lamar has given notice that lie will
at an early day, introduce bill to provide that
Senators be furnished, at the public expense,
each with private secretary. His reasons are
that a Senator has much more work to do than
he can accomplish without one, and, as private
secretaries cost money, being now rated in the
market at something like $50 month, he
should be furnished with means to employ
such clerk. There are many calls on SEN
ators for money, charitable and otherwise,
which, in the aggregate, relieve him of the bulk
of his salary. Senator Lamar says he
pays his railway fare does not
cepC of street-car passes nor free tickets
poor man. He would, however, like the SER
vices Of a secretary, and thinks the govern
ment should pay for them. He says the neces-
sity for private secretaries does not apply to
members of Congress who represent compare
lively small constituencies. There are few
scheme, one of which is that many of the
States have Senatorial representation out Of all
proportion to the representation in the lower
branch Of Congress. For example, five of the
States have one Congressman each. MI. Lamar
would withhold from each of the gentlemen a
private secretary and confer the boon upon
each of the Senators who. by his own line
of argument, can only have half as much pub
lie business to attend to. Two States have two
representatives each five have three each, and
three hare four each. At least fifteen of the
! States ought, for economy's sake, to be de-
priyed of the benefits of the bill. There is
another reason more potent why this bill should
not succeed. Every Senator who has a son l5
years old and upward would endow him with
this office. and others would select near rela'
tives Lastly. and most important of all, the
House will not consent to measure which viii
take out Of the treasury $l25,000 year, from
Year: 1879

1t Brage's speech was vigorous statement
of the annoyance and distress to which honest
ly loyal members of the Democratic party have
been subjected by Southern assaults on the
Treasury. He declared that these assaults had
been fatal obstacles to the progress Of the
Democratic party, which could never win the
confidence of the people while they continued.
The speech was o surprise to the House, and
especially to the Democrats, and called out a
passionate but not very successful, reply from
Ellis, of Louisiana. But it has done more for
Democratic success in 1880 than anything that
has happened or is likely to happen this ses-
sion. It is in the power Of Northern Demo-
Gratis, and of them only, to set at rest the pres
ent strong suspicion which attaches to their
party of plotting an organized raid on the
Year: 1879

The right of talking and voting for Bun
combe belongs to Southern Representatives
just as sacredly as to Northern Represents
tlves, and 1T is to be remembered to the credit
Of the South that where it has been exercised
once in the last decade by Southern member
it has been exercised hundred times BY q
Northern member.
Year: 1879

E17VU1Sv111e OUuI1eT-JUuTHa1


The st. Louis Post declares that the issue of
all issues is whether the corporations shall rule
this country or the country shall rule the cor
porations. This used to be the issue, great
while ago; but it isn't now. The corporations
settled it to suit themselves long since When
it comes to ruling, this country is no more in
the hands Of the corporations than is an infant
in the hands of a battalion of giants.
Year: 1879

Ledoux, Minn., April 2, 1870.
Editor of the Transcript:


There is pleasure in knowing that Culdrum
has some intelligent people who desire the
welfare OF the county as we'll as their own, and
are willing to assist in making improvements
where assistance is necessary and expedient.
The question to be brought before the people
is, what VIII be the gain to US as a communi-
ty and county to vote bonds to the amount Of
$4,000, on which interest must be paid from
date OF issue and the principal in twenty or
thirty years? What would the people in
large part of the county have done during the
past winter had it not been for the Brainerd
Branch railroad? Many would be in want
who are now comfortable, and the reason is
simply that the railroad has given the people
q chance to help themselves. The proposed
railroad offers five times as many advantages.
We hear many say that it is wrong to vote
debt tor our children to pay. So it would be
if we left them no means or way to pay it.
If they get our property they can pay the
taxes; and if they have no property they have
no taxes to pay. Some express themselves as
favoring the issue Of bonds to the amount of
1900 to improve the Little Falls water pow
~er. We are not aware ofany company asking
such aid, nor is it likely there viii be until
there are better railroad facilities than we now
have. The improvement of the Little Falls
water power would cost considerably more
than $50 ,O30, and we think Morrison county
had better let that job alone.


A. Z. MILLER.
Year: 1879

1t don't always pay to be a ghost.
The daily papers give an account of a
young fellow down East who put on
a false face, a white sheet, and other
articles designed to create the impress
sion that he was real ghost and he
entered the room Of a companion at a
late hour in the evening, intending to
give him genuine scare. The plan
worked we'll, SO far. His companion
was frightened, and no mistake. He
sprang up perfectly pale and frenzied,
and seiziug a chair, he struck the
supposed ghost two or three blows
with such terrific force that the ply
sicians think that the said ghost can
not recover.
Year: 1879

short line of railroad between St. Paul


and Minneapolis will be built the present


season. An iron bridge for the same will be
built at Minneapolis, ut cost of about Sl75,-
900 Tho Pioneer Press says:


The actual length of new road to be built in
the construction of this short line, is eight and
one fourth miles, and in its construction an
immense amount of material must be removed
not less than 100000 yards of earth and
$4,000 yards of rock The entire line will be
under contract in few days, and will be
crowded to completion as rapidly as money and
men can do it. The cost ofthe eight and one
quarter miles Of road, completed, will be not
far from half a million Of dollars Steel rails
will be laid the entire distance, and the work
in every department will be done thoroughly,
systematically and scientifically. In short,
the experienced railroad men who are at the
helm are determined that their ''short line"
shall be as near perfection as it is possible to
make railroad. When completed they will
equip the line magnitioently, putting on
coaches of the latest and most elegant design
and finish, their ambition being to make their
local trains as handsome and luxurious as
can be produced from the best car-shops in
the country.
Year: 1879

can bond holder may be forced to sell his
bonds in countries where lower rates OF
interest prevail, although he may be
firmly opposed to the condition of bust
ness activity and rising prices that force
him to do so. In Europe the amount of
capital in the aggregate is so large that
billions of dollars must necessarily be IN
vested IN government bonds, simply be-
cause there are not avenues enough open
to occupy it in other directions, and the
common rate of interest drawn by these
bonds is three per cent. This enables the
American holder of four per cents to
"unload in Europe" At any time when
his bonds are threatened with deprecia~
tion by heavy risein prices.
Year: 1879

From the St. Paul Globe.
OLeary is writing a book. This is better
than entering the lecture field, because it is no
crime to kill book agent whereas with lect-
urer it is only legal to tar and feather him and
ride him on rail. There is strange and
unjust disparity in our laws.
Year: 1879

From the Pioneer Press,


Grangerism still continues to flourish rs fa,
East as New York. The assembly of that
State has passed bills reducing the rate charged
for the transportation of milk from the coun.
try to the city, one-half; and reduc ing thu
communication rates of the New York & New
Haven road. In discussing the former bill
it was stated that its enactment would take
away 81 100000 a year from the revenue O
the roads concerned. The New York papers
do not have so much to say against western
grangerism as in times past they have quite
as much of that clement at home as they cal
handle.
Year: 1879

[St. Paul Pioneer Press.


The Missouri is q remarkable river,
unlike any other that l ever saw. To
be appreciated it must be seen and
heard during the April or June rise,
when its waters are red and thick with
the powdered soil they have brought
from the mountains and stolen from the
farms in the valleys. Then itponrs and
swirls and eddies along with a treach-
erous sound between a chuckle and
half suppressed whisper, that repels
while it fascinates the listener. 1t has
made millions of acres of rich black
deposits, on which it still holds mort
gage the foreclosure of which no man
can foresee. Some of these fertile acres
may sustain forests t tpat have been
growing for hundreds Of years, but not
a rod of the vast levsl bottom lands
which lie on either side of tho muddy
monster, varying in with from two to
twenty miles, stretching all the way
from Yankton to st. Louis, and covered
with the finest woods and richest farm
produce that land can. bear up under,
is exempt from the possibility Of some
day being devoured bS its hungry and
tickle mother. Hundreds Of farmers,
after clearing away the heavy timber
and raising fine crops year after year,
on their eighty or more acres: Of deep,
inexhaustible river bottom, have seen
their entire possessions swept sway in a
few days by a sudden and unexpected
Change of channel during ans April or
June "rise."


These changes of channel have differ
ent causes. Sometimes giant cotton
wood tree that has been uprooted where
the river has been raised upon the forest
above, is borne down by the current and
lodged in the mud, where it will grad
ually become imbedded in the yielding
bottom, and, perhaps, lie in wait for
months or even years, without giving
any particular sign Of existence. At
last an unusual rise takes place, and
this hidden "snag" creates diversion
in the strong current, which begins to
circle around the spot, and then culmi-
mates in boiling eddy. The eddy in
creases in depth and force, gradually
diverting the water from its former
course until new pathway is formed
in the river bed. If the eddy is located
near the shore at the upper edge Of a
promontory, and the water is sufficiently
high to overflow the flats, new chan
mel is sometimes carved straight across
some valuable farm OF timber strip, and
a river town, where steamboats, tool
Year: 1879

There is love in some hearts
That will never find tongue;
There are songs on some lips
That will never be sung;
For the love is ground down


In tho dust Of Despair,
And the songs are entombed


In the dungeons Of Care.
There are problems Of life


That are better unknown;
There are seeds Of good deeds


That have never been sown;
For the problems Of life


Might chill us, could we know,
And the sewers were dead


Before they could SOW.
Year: 1879

WAsHINGroS, April l6.-The General
Superintendent of the Railway Postal
Service has found il necessary TO make a
reduction in the pay Of all the route
agents in or,ler to come within the limit
OF the appropriations for the fiscal year.