smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1866

For several years, nothing could
arouse the Express Companies. Their
exorbitant charges and their ire
spOnsibility, except where losses were
heavy and the losers were ready and
able to go to law, have produced wide
spread indignation. The plUndering
of choice fruit has been shameful The
catalogue of grievances is long. Pub
lie meetings, speeches, resolutions,
sharp newspaper articles, and appeals
to legislatures. did not ruff1e a feather
Their earnings were enormous, and
their stock was at vast premium.


About one year ago, an opposition
company was organized. Only SIO,-
600, 900 were required to buy them off,
and things went On as before ; no, they
were worse. The complaints this sum
mer in New York, Ohio and the whole
West, we're so grievous, and apparent
ly so far from hope of remedy, that
they approached despair. Farmers,
fruit growers and shippers generally,
were deprived of much of that part of
their earnings which should have been
their profits. The best informed and
most comprehensive minds saw that
unless they were checked they would
absorb to themselves much of the
wealth of the country. a full account
of the magnitude of their operations,
Of the extent of their power and the
expressions they inflicted, would as
tonish the world.


They have had full play. There
was no king, dictator, or law to repress
them.


A short time ago, the Merchants
Union Express Company was organ
lied, with the central idea Of not being
bought out ; though that was the best
business going, except not being bought
out. At last, the old Companies were
aroused A rival was mounting their
golden throne. A Secret Circular
was issued Their agents were in
structed to carry freight at such rates
as was supposed would deprive the
Company Of business. No limit was
fixed to the deductions that might be
made. None should complain of this
But when they add, they will receive
no freight from the Merchants Union
nor ship to it, nor, indeed, do any bus
mess with it whatever, they are getting
ahead Of the times. 1t is the same as
to say they will carry no straw berries
for ohm Smith, because they do not
like him. For the same reason, a cap
tain or a conductor might reject a pas
senger. But they go further. On
routes where there is no competition,
old rates are to remain. They have
been charged with being monOpolies
this Secret Circular has served the
public by proving it.


So far, the new Company is prosper
Gus. 1t is paying all expenses, and yet
its rates are from 70 to 40 per cent. less
than the old ones. Everywhere the
people see, and particularly those in
the West, whose transactions with the
East are immense, that, in a manner,
their salvation depends upon the con
tinuance of this competition.


1t is no object for them to have
goods carried for nothing, or even at a
premium, for few months. They do
not choose to be bribed for the pur-
pose Of being enslaved hereafter.-N
Z. Tribune
Year: 1866

The number of bones in the frame
work of the human body is two hun
dred and sixty-one hundred and eight
of which are in the feet and hands
there being twentv-seven in each.


The quantity of blood in adults Is on
an average about twenty pounds, which
passes through the heart once In four
minutes.


Only one-tenth of the human body is
solid matter. A dead body weighing
one hundred and twenty pounds was
dried In an oven till all the moisture
was expelled, and its weight was re-
duced to twelve pounds Egyptian
mummies are bodies thoroughly dried,
and usually weigh about seven pounds.


The lungs of an adult ordinary in
hale twenty cnbic inches of air at once
and if we breathe twenty times a min
ute, the quantity of air consumed IN
that time will be eight hundred cubic
inches, or forty eight thousand inches
in a day, which isiequal to eighty-siz
hogsheads.
Year: 1866

The London Court Journal says


Not long ago a Prussian banker fed
from Paris 6. bankrupt, after living a
life of great luxury, and being long
known to men of taste and fashion,
His salons were noted as the most
brilliant rendezvous, and his refine
ment caused him to be sought after by
the titled, the wealthy, the diplomatic
world, artists and literateurs of the
first rank and fame In one night the
fair fabric of his ideal existence was
crushed. The next day he was in
Brussels with on lY a dozen pieces of
gold in his pocket. He, who had had
but to say the word to the vaults of
the bank, the resources of private cap
italists, found himself a beggar. The
poor man fled to England, and hid
himself from all observation. For six
months he never stirred out of his
Wretched gaTret; none know how life
was sustained From a handsome
man of thirty-four, In the full flush Of
vigOr, he sank to the appearance of an
old man Of eighty. His hair was
white, his back curved, his eyes sunk
en-, and his cheeks hollow. Day aud
night this miserable man is said to
have Wept over his sorrow and his
past career. He died crying. The
hand of a poor fellow countryman
closed his eyes, and whatever may have
been his transgressiOus, few will re-
member him otherwise than an orna-
ment to society, and will grieve at his
misfortune and blightof life. His name
was Charles Ebert
Year: 1866

A Coon REPLY.-Lord Boiling
broke once asked Lady Huntingdon
how. she recOnciled prayer to God for
PARTICULAR blessings with absolute t!yE res
easy, answered her ladyship ',just as
arch of whose kindness aud wisdom I
have the highest opinion. In such
case my language should be, I wish
right in itself to grant my desire /
therefore content myself with humbly
presenting my petition, and leave the
event of it entirely to you"
Year: 1866

"ONLY LITTLE Brook. "A sim
pie but very touching incident has been
related to us, says the Maine Press, in
connection with the last moments of a
beautiful girl in Bath who lately died
at the age of nine A little while be-
fore she died. as the sorrowing friends
stood around her, watching the last
movings of the gentle breath, the last
faint flutterings of the little pulse, they
became aware, from broken words
that she shrank with natural dread
from the unknown way that was open
ing for her.


She had come to the borders of the
mysterious river which separates us
from the dim hereafter, and her tiny
feet seemed to hesitate and fear to stem
the flood But after a time her fears
subsided, she grew calm, and ceased to
talk about the long dark way, till at
the very last she frightened suddenly,
a smile of confidence and courage light
ed up her sweet face, "Oh, it is only a
little brook p she cried, and so passed
over to the heavenly shore.
Year: 1866

A schoolmaster, who had an invet-
crate habit Of talkingto himself when
alone. was asked what motive he could
have in talking to himself? Jonathan
replied that he had two good substan-
tial reasons In the first place be liked
to talk to a sensible man, and in the
next place, he liked to hear a man Of
sense talk.
Year: 1866

The publishers have perfected system of mail
ing by which they can supply the MAGAZINE and
WEEKLY promptly to those who prefer to receive
their periodicals directly from the Office of Pub
lication.


The postage on HARPER's MAGAZINE is "a cents
a year, which must be paid at the subscriber s
post-office.
Year: 1866

so WIDE Is THE
field of its usefulness
and so numerous are the
cases of its cures, that
almost every section of
country ab0unds in per-
sons publicly known,
who have been restored
from alarming and even
desperate diseases of the
lungs by its use. When
once tried, its superiOri-
Year: 1866

"We do not like to advertise worthless wares
or articles calculated to deceive our readers and
when we see an advertiser like Mr.. Helmbold
whom we have known for years, gradually extend
the largest advertiser in the United States we are
satisfied that the statements in regard to his
articles mast be co7Tect''


The writer reluctantly inserts the above and
would not do SO were he not q stranger to many;
and concludes by stating the Of his articles
and the diseases for which they have been used
by many thousands with complete success.
Year: 1866

From the Anzeiger des Westens.l


According to the views of the radi
cal majority in the house, an applicant
for a homestead under the new law has
to take the oath that he did not partici
pate in the late rebellion. BY this oatl
the whole mass of the white people Of
the south are excluded from all the ben
efts of the law. 1t is not easy to com
prehend the advantages of such {
measure, nor to discover how they
square with the policy of the radical
party in regard to other questions. The
purpose of any homestead bill is the
advancement of the culture of public
lands, and of the speedy settlement OF
great uncultivated territories, and in
consequence the increase OF national
wealth. Rather than to create difllcul
ties and impediments, it evidently
should be the policy Of the govern
ment to facilitate the settlement of pub
lie lands as much as possible, especial
ly in the southern states, where rs yet
there is only very sparse population
The oath, as embodied in that bill
will be q new impcdiment to the revi
val of prosperity in the southern
states, and therefore not only punish
mcnt Of the former rebels, but Of all the
inhabitants of those states and of the
whole country in general. Besides the
rich and influential men in the soutl
will not be hurt by that bill, because
they will never apply to it; whilst only
the poor are to be the sufferers, whom
that oath deprives of the opportunity
to become frceholders, Only the
"poor whites in the south will suffer
the very people whose miserable situa'
ton is the text of so many stirring ar,
ticles; who have pecn piticd as the
victims of the pest ofslavery who have
been promised so happy II, future SC
soon as slavery should be abolished
and who now, at the very first oppor.
tunity, are to be put far behind the ne
gro.


The public lands are accessible to
the blacks, according to the new bill
they are closed to the poor whites
who, knowing no better, allowed them
selves to be used by the ruling classes
of the south in their war against the
Union. Instead of favoring by al
imaginable means the establishment o
class of small white property hold
ers, to tie the poor whites Of the south
crn states to the interests of the union
and to make them independent of thu
former ruling classes, this element, b,
II blind fury is cstrmged from thu
union, and the already existing hatret
between the poor whites and the nc
grOes given new life.


Such policy is inconceivablc. !
such laws are not dictated by malice
and british sense of revenge, thcl
they are the offspring of the blind fury
Of fanaticsm, that may posslbl,
achieve a great deal more mischief
The radicals must admit that the poo
whites of the south are to be allowed
to live, and that even the whole mas
of the southern people arc to be pardon
ed, because there cannot be made a pen
itentiary of a whole country; and at
mittrg further, that it is better tC
make small propcrty-holders ont o
them, than to force them to work or
the plantations of the rich, why in the
name of reason shall they not he III
lowed to settle on the uncultlvatco
public lands!
Year: 1866

Coop HUMoR. human is the
clear blue sky ofthe soul, on which ev-
cry star of talent will shine more clearly
and the sun Of genius encounter no va
pors in its passage. 1t is the most ex
quisite beauty Of fine face--a redeem
ing grace in homely one. 1t is like
the green in ME landscape-aarmon
izing with every color, mellowing the
glories of the bright, and softening the
hue ofthe dark or like a flute in full
concert of instruments, sound not at
first discovered by the ear, yet filling
up the breaks in the concord with its
soft melody.
Year: 1866

The Huntsville Alabama -4dvocate says, the farmers are working to make as good crops as possible, and we hope this year will be raised home supply of provisions. That is indispensable to a return of active business and permanent prosperity. In the fall we hope to see a large influx of settlers among us--men of character, skill, intelligence, en- ergy, industry, and capital, with their fami- lies to help cultivate our lands, establish all sorts of workshops, and build up ouf towns. We want more white people here. There is room for them, Our people feel the need of them, and will cordially welcome them, and they will add to the productive wealth of the State.

 Five hundred bales of cotton were de- stroyed by fire at Mobile the other night in consequence of a stroke of lightning.
Year: 1866

nea. We-that is the local--were visited by large delegation of cows few nights since, and in answer to repeated calls, left our desk and made them a speech concerning the pro priety of changing their headquarters, We were repeatedly applauded-that is we sup pose we were, for they shook their heads often and bells too, while we were urging the neces- sity of change of base. Wonder if any body wants to buy milk or butter?
Year: 1866

-General Wood has issued an order, for bidding Capt. Semmes to hold the office of Judge of Probate, of Mobile county, Ala, or any other office of public trust so long as he remains unpardoned by the President
Year: 1866

The New York Sun reminds me-
chanics and laborers living in the
country that the idea SO nniversaIly
entertained that in the great city work
can always be obtained at high prices,
is an error, and adds:


sit should be understood that even
in the largest cities the demand for
labor and the supply are as nicely ad-
iusted as in the smallest towns and
hamlets. 1t is a mistake also to sup
pose work more remunerative here
than elsewhere. The actuaI wages
may make it appear SO, but it must be
remembered that house rent, fuel, pro-
visions and clothing are all up to the
highest hgures, with small chance of
decline during the winter months. 1t
Is therefore a dangerous experiment
for workmen to come to New York
without any purpose beyond waiting
for such opportunities as may turn up.
At the present time such step is espe-
cially nuwise, for every department of
labor is full, and likely TO remain SO at
least until spring.
Year: 1866

W 1PTTK
The Secretary of the Treasury is author
lied to sell, at public auction, such of the
revenue cutters as he shall find i'll adapted
to the purpose of the revenue service, and to
expend the proceeds id the purchase or con-
struction Of other vessels better suited to the
wants Of the service.
Year: 1866

FARMERS have been UNUSUALLY busy during
the past week, harvesting their wheat aud bar
ley crops. The fears entertained by some that
the wheat crop would be injured by rust, in
consequence Of the long continued wet weather
during the Spring months, have proved ground
less. We are informed that there is no rust
whatever, and that the straw of the wheat, bar
ley, erc., is bright and yellow. 1t is safe now
TO Saytbat the wheat yield in the valley this
season will be almost doublethat Of last.
Year: 1866

RIoHT.--We are pleased to notice that
President johnson has at length commenced
the work Of removing disunionists from Office.
1t was fitting that he should begin with his
own Cabinet, and having purified the foun,
tain head, we trust that the gooI work will
be continued nntil not single disuniouist is
left to disgrace Government commission.
DenuisUu UuE Ur tue Post Office, and Speed
no longer Attorney General, the country has
an assurance that hereafter these important
branches Of the Government will exert an
influence in favor of an early restoration of
the Union. Traitors aby where are bad, but
traitors in Office are an intoicrable nuisance,
to be abated with the least possible delay.
Year: 1866

The Pacific Tribune, the organ Of Governor
Pickering, aud nest Of Government officials
who have their headquarters at Olympia, seems
to have fallen desperately. in love with radical-
ism, and thus apostrOphiEeS the destructive
spirit Of the age;


"In his high and tropical orbit the Radical
becomes a strong angel, planting his feet upon
the solid world, kissing the flowers but seorch-
ing the stubble of our social state. In the
midst of the Age of Controversy and familiar
With Its armor Of truth upon him descends, in-
spring and prophetic, the age of Harmony, as If
he already stood with unclouded faith In its
presence, and bore messages of immortal fra
ternity from the hallowed lips Of emancipated
angels. Facing about against wrongs, with
forward march" upon oppressive institutions,
the Radical is yet endowed with an inspired
wisdom TO put all evils beneath bis feet, not
merely to meet them abreast. Clothed in the
garb Of his time and delving in its material
mould be is yet a prophet, before whose reach
ing vision the future uurols its curtains Of light.
He stands on the Threshold of the Age of Peace
and holding its key serenely awaits and watches
the attentions of Partisanship still engaged in
its pitched battles below"


If there is an insane asylum anywhere on the
Sound, we suggest that the editor of the Tribune
be provided for forth With, Certainly be is not
safe outside of straight jacket.
Year: 1866

Whatever version may be given to a cir
cumstance that occurred in this city yester-
day afternoon, the most thoughtless must
per force admit that the result is both
strange and startling, and well calculated to
turn the serious man to more profound
meditation, and even stay the reckless man
in his course. A man of robust health and
in the prime of life, is accused of crime
under circumstances of almost positive
proofs of guilt, and while he calls upon God
to bear witness to his innocence, is struck
dead almost before the appeal has left his
lips. Incredible as the circumstances may
appear, they are literally true


a little over a year ago there lived in
small village in Sweden a man by the name
OF Rosenecrist, whose o=tens.b'e pursuit was
that OF tailor, but rumor had it that his
principal revenue was derived from preach
ing an steal ng, and at at last this impress
sion was so strongly confirmed that he sud-
denly left that village to evade the arm of
justice. lie came to this country about
eight months ago, and took up his residence
in Chicago, where he again worked at his
trade. Having family, he found it diff
cult to support them in the city, and conse-
quently sent them to a farm about fourteen
miles from Chicago. He thereupon took
lodgings at a clearinghouse, No 144,
Burnside street, and for long time no sus-
picions were entertained as to his character.
Recently several valuable articles belonging
to boarders at the house were found mis-
sing, but no clue to the pcrpetrato- could be
detected. Yesterday afternoon another
theft was discov ered and the proofs of
guilt pointed directly to Rosencrist, no one
else having been near the apartment since
the time the articles stolen were last seen.
On being accused, he stoutly denied the
theft, but finding no credence was given to
the denial, he suddenly grew more passion
ate, and, lifting his hand towards heaven,
exclaimed that he hoped his tongue would
rot in his month, his head drop from his
shoulders, and God strike him dead on the
spot, if he was guilty-No sooner had
these words escaped his lips, when he sud-
denly began 10 reel and stagger, and, before
support could be given, he fell to the floor
dead. The excitement this created among
the bystanders can better be imagined than
described. Strong men stood paralyzed,
women tainted, and none were able to speak
for some minutes. The occurrence was so
horrible, that men doubted their senses.
But the dead man remained PROSTATE on the
foor-a ghastly proof of tlsc reality The
rumor of this strange and startling fatality
soon spread through the neighborhood, and
in few minutes the house was filled with
horror-stricken people, none of whom doubt
ed that the hand of God was thus made vis-
ible. A physician was called, who pronounc-
ed the cause of death to be disease of the
heart, produced by over excitement. The
body has been conveyed to the dead house,
where ninqusst VII be held to. day Chica-
90 Times
Year: 1866

During last week, an animal was brought
to this city from the Northern part of this
State, the like Of which was never before
seen. A year ago we learned from several
reliable gentlemen who had seen it, that
such monster was extant, though rather
too diminutive too attract much notice


About the middle of the next month. its
keepers concluded that it had attained a
growth sufficient to be exhibited, and it was
brought to this city, to remain till after the
State Fair, but its extreme viciousness rem
dered it unsafe and improper to allow it to
stay here. The general features and char
acteristics of the OK are seen in this remark
able beast. The head and neck are broad
and heavy, giving it the fierce disposition of
the buffalo, rather than the quiet and docile
character of the OK, while the name, reach
ing from the forehead to the shoulder, and
sweeping to the knees adds to the general
appearance of ferocity. The horns are
heavy at the base, but very short, and re-
markab!y polished and pointed. The eye Is
dull, but suggests things unutterable-an ex-
pTeSSlOU VI ldlcuJ power duu US'ii'@ii"0SN;
which the general appearance OF the animal
confirms. The muzzle is black and ugly.
The wide nostril arguing a large breathing
apparatus and unconquerable endurance
The jaw is heavy and prominent the fore
head full bu. rather square. The depth of
the shoulder is very great, the fore legs
short and large, the foot broad and deeply
cleft. But here the bovine resemblance
ceases altogether, and the equine character
istics begin. The body is slight and rounded,
closely covered by glossy coat of fine, short
hair, long, flowing tail nearly reaches the
ground. The hinder legs are smooth and
1.-THE as those of a race-horse, and the hoofs
rather Slight, but well-formed, contrasting
with the heavy legs and cleft hoofs of the
forward part of the animal. Its gait, too,
is a ludicrous cross between that of the two
brutes Of whose nature it seems to partalse
While the motions Of the forward part of
the body are slow, awkward and shambling,
those of the hinder are extremely graceful
and agile Altogether it is one of the most
wonderful curiosities to be found in the ami
NAL kingdom. Who will give it name p
Indianapolis Journal
Year: 1866

R1 Josh Billings replies to some parent
Il can't tell you the best way to bring up a
boy; but if had one that didn't lie well
enough to suit me, l think would set him
tending dry good store. Probably the best
way to bring up boy in the way he should
90 is to travel that way ourselves, once in a
while. Still, there is much uncertainty. l
have seen them brought up as careful as a
lap dog, and then go to the devil as soon as
they could strike the right track. And then
again have seen them taken out Of cutters,
and they would wash up like diamonds
Raising boys is a good deal like raising colts.
IF you don't get more than one out of ten
that is q fast one, you are doing frst-rate.
Year: 1866

Eg A poor woman in St Louis, arres-
ted for stealing a shirt, which she sold to
keep her children from starvation, created
so much sympathy when brought before the
court, that she was acquitted without trial,
and the attorney who was to have prosecuted
her, hired her as a servant and took her
Year: 1866

Coop ADVICE let US tell you a
stubborn truth Noyoung woman ever looks
SO well to sensible yourg man, as when
dressed in plain, neat, modest attire with
out single ornament about her person. She
looks then as though she possessed worth IL
herself, and needed no artificial rigging to
enhance her value. If a young woman would
spend so much time in cultivating her mind,
training her temper, and cherishing kind
nes', meekness, mercy, and other good quail
itiss, as most of them do in extra dress and
ornaments, toincrease their personal charms,
she would, at glance, be known among q
thousand-her character would be read in
her countenance That's so