smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1866




Very great dissatisfaction prevails in the
North and West in regard to the condition
of business and of the currency. The
Western papers seem to unite in demand
for an increase of currency, and their Rep
resentatives in Congress are not slow to
second them Business is paralyzed, and
the prospects for the future are not bright.
The main cause of depression is the dis
located state of the Union and the uncertain
political condition Of the staple-prOducing
States Of the South. The people of those
States, whose territory embraces eight hun
dred thousand square miles, and whose
capacity for production is unlimited, were
heretofore much relied upon as affording a
profitable market for the grain-growing
and proyision-produeing States Of the
Northwest and the manufactures of the
Eastern States. But the consumption of
the South declines with its powers of pro-
duction.


Another cause Of the prostration Of bust
ness is the heavy rate of taxation, which
increases the cost of labor and material to
such an extent as to consume all the profits
of many branches of industry. The la
borer is not benefited by high prices, for
the cost Of his living is increased to still
greater extent than his wages. Thus, the
manufacturers represent that besides the
five per cent. on their amount Of produc-
tion and their income tax, they pay much
more in the enhanced cost of labor. They
make out that their aggregate burden of
taxation is forty or fifty per cent.


Another cause of the trouble is the in
fiated currency, the depreciation of which
is not to be measured by its relation to gold,
but to the price of commodities generally.
The purchasing power Of the currency Is
not greater now than it was when, in the
crisis Of the war, gold was over two hun
dred. Prices now tend downward because
the people will not or cannot pay the cost
OF commodities. The holders Of goods and
merchandise must either all sell below cost
or they must hold on and suspend produc-
ton and importation until their stocks shall
be taken up.


The holders of goods and grain and pro-
visions, and railroad shares, bonds, etc, desire
a large increase of currency to enable them
TO hold on for improved prices. Specu-
lators, monOpolists, and jobbers desire the
same.


The general body of consumers can find
llo duNdutuk = III SuCu an luCIc4s6. 10 lllchu
it %ill be accompanied with no CORE
spending benefit, nor in the end will it be
Of any advantage to producers. The cost
Of production will be increased, and they
must soon cry out for more currency and a
higher protective tariff


The two great remedies that have oc-
CURED to Congress for the evils of the day
are; first, TO set aside the State govern
ments of the ten Southern States as illegal
and unconstitutional, thus rendering dis
union complete; and, second, to issue one
or two hundred millions more of currency,
either in legal-tenders or national bank
notes. Both measures are admirably
adapted to an aggravatiOn of the evils un-
der which the country labors.
Year: 1866




Some misapprehension exists as to the
tenor Of the decision Of Judge Busted, last
week, in relation TO Confederate issues as
a consideration for contracts made during
the war.


The facts Of the case before him, and his
decision, may be stated as follows:


The defendants, on a certain DAY during
the war, received from the plaintiff a GER
tain amount Of Confederate Treasury notes,
and in consideration thereof, executed to
the plaintiff a written instrument, in sub
stance as follows:


Received of (the plaintif) a specified
number Of dollars for specified number
Of pounds Of ginned cotton, this day sold
by me to the plaintiff; and j agree to keep
said cotton for the plaintiff and to deliver
it to him when called for, he running all
risks, except only that i am to be liable
for any loss resulting from my own negli-
geDce or malfeasance."


There was never at any time any actual
delivery Of the cotton by the defendant to
the plaintiff.


The plaintiff contended that, although
there was no actual delivery, yet there was
a sufficient constructive delivery Of the cot
ton, to entille the plaintiff to treat the con-
tract as an extended contract.


The court decided in the case before it


LIST. That the consideration for the con-
tract was illegal. In other words, that
Confederate Treasury notes was an illegal
consideration for contract made during
the war.


%. That whenever a party to such con-
tract was forced to call on a United States
court to give him any aid in carrying out
such contract or recovering its fruits, the
court could not give such aid.


Sd. That the plaintiff in this case was
calling for such aid when he invoked the
doctrine of constructive delivery; for a
constructive delivery is a delivery made
OUT by the mere judgment of The law, upon
the special facts, in the absence of an act
ual delivery.


4th. That in the absence of an actual
delivery, the court could not, by its mere
judgment, make out delivery from the
terms or accompaniments of the contract
which was before it.


1t will be observed that the court deci-
ded nothing as TO contract which has
been completely executed in all respects
by the parties, although the consideration
for such contract was Confederate Treasu-
ry notes. A contract is completely execut-
ed when all the terms Of il have been
complied with by all the parties to it, and
the purchase money has been paid; and
there has been actual delivery under and
in accordance with the contract.-M MontgOHl-
en- Maj.
Year: 1866

Dear Sir: take pleasure in saying that / was
suffering from Ag1e and Fever, or Chills and
Fever, for several months, when / was advised
by friend to try your famous Stomach Bitters,
and after using two bottles I am entirely re-
stored. It not only imparts new Yigor, but it Is
truly the best strengthening and appetizing
tonic. at the same time pleasant 20 the taste,
have ever known used or afforded to the pupIic /;
and would say to all those similarly afflicted
that if they would be cured and have the disease
thoroughly eradicRted from the system. to use
your Bitters, and be convinced Of their wonder
fUl medicinal power and virtue.


remain yours respectfully,
Year: 1866

Fashion, says the Richmond Times, be-
gins to reassert its empire in the South
During the war man was deemed fortu-
nate if he owned a couple of fig bushes, for
then he vas sure of having his family pro-
vided with suit of primitive clothes, as
good as that worn by our first parents, if
things came to the worst. Men and wo-
men did not care much what they wore,
so they wore something. Nor was the
style or cut of garments much regarded,
for there was sort of carnival of old
clothes. 1t was not uncommon to meet a
gentleman with a coat or pantaleons which
looked as if they had been cut out with a
broad-axe, and nailed together hurriedly
by a rough carpenter.


The patterns, too, were as strongly
spiced with variety, as well as with the
odor of great antiquity. The old swallow
tail and shad-belly coat (Which lis thought
BY many to be the style worn by Noah
when he harangucd the antediluyians On
Year: 1866

The Philadelphia Ledger offers some
very sensible remarks in this connection.
Chrisisnas i coming, - With heclose Of
the wear comes TIE plege fsktfcnF Of 4
large number of small accounts, some of
which have been standing six months or
more, too small to send in individually,
as the items one by one were purchased,
but often amounting in the aggregate to
quite serious portion of the capital of
those who have given the required cred
it. The future success of the tradesmen,
mechanics and others to whom these
small bills arc due, depends in many
cases on the prompt payment, and they
can be paid easily and at once aud with
out Inconvenience by most of those who
owe accounts Of this sort but which Of
ten are neglected, to the great incon-
venience and loss of the creditor.


There are many causes which tend to
produce this want of promptness of which
we speak, and from the effects of which
every man in business suffers more or
less. The most common of these is care
lessness. The sum is but trihe, and
a few of the items of the bill, perhaps.
need to be verified by some one not
Immediately at hand, and SO the bill is
put into the pocket Of coat or drcs-
sing gown. laid aside with the garment,
and never thought of until fresh no.
tice that the bill remains unpaid brings
a search, an examination of the items,
and, after two or three delays. a settle
mcnt. Those who are wealthy can hard
ly conceive how much some of their
creditors have watched and waited for
the coming in of that small account.


They have, perhaps, large list of
such accounts at their fingers ends con-
nected with each name and with most
unpleasant vivilness Yet the man or
woman of fashion dreams not, and cares
not, often, if people do have to wait
Everybody knows they will ray. and are
willing to pay, price, interest, or any
thing else, but they are too busy to be
troubled, and those who trust them are
meanwhile embarrassed by their fear OF
giving offense. The large creditor can
take the debtor by the throat and say,
"Pay me that thou owcst," but it would
Dfeak up connection on some OF our
retail streets to be known to do such an
impolite action for small accounts against
persons known to be good for thousands.


There are others who do not pay their
small debts punctually, from sheer mean
ness, though they would have it careless
ness. They treat these debts lightly
enough, as of no consequence, when real
ly it is morbid dislike to pay any one a
cent until actually compelled, that leads to
all the delay. While they are charging
interest on all that is due them, they will
not draw cent to pay small debt justly
due. In some cases it is worse than mean
ness-the hope Of wearing ont a creditor
by not paying little bill. too small for
him conveniently to sue upon.
Year: 1866

EEA An Eastern editor says that man


in New York got himself into trouble by
mar rrying two wives. A Western editor
replies by assuring his contemporary that Q
good many men had done the same thing
by marrying one. A Northern editor re-
torts that quite number of his acquaint.
ances found trouble enough by barely
promising to marry, without going any
further. A Southern editor says that q
friend Of his was bothered enough when
simply found in company with ancthef
mans wife. .-.,. Ion.
Year: 1866

"A prominent bachelor politician on the
kennebec remarked to lady that soap-
stone was excellent to keep the feet warm
in bed. Yes" said the young lady, who
had been an attentive listener, s.but some
gentlemen have an improvement on that
which You know nothing about" The
bachelor turned pale, and maintained q
wistful silence.
Year: 1866

A LITTLE GIRL, after returning from
church where she saw collection taker, up
for the first time, related what took place.
and among other things she said. will. all
childish innocence, that man passed
round plate that had some money on i.
but didn't take any ''fS
Year: 1866

THERE was a little boy named-but l
need not tell You his name--who commen-
ced life as an humble member of Congress
and Brigadier General. OF course he was
entirely uneducated, but by making good
use of his leisure hours ami reading Poor
Year: 1866

THERE is no doubt but what Mrs. Adams
is the place for the ladies to buy their dry
goods. They can find anything they wan,
by calling there. from a calico apron to a
bridal outfit, or from pair of stockings to a
fine silk dress. She has also some superb
..rinplets," fit to adorn the head of queen,
for sale. In fact, every article used by the
female sex in '.making themselves up" can be
found at Mrs, Adams
Year: 1866

We have become possessed of secret-no
matter how-which is of the greatest I'm.
portance to the people of this town and vi
cinity. After a severe mental struggle, we
are at last convinced that it Is our duty to
give publicity to the valuable information
which we possess. in order that all may en-
Joy the incalculable blessings which its
knowledge will bestow, even at the risk of
being accused of betraying the confidence
reposed in US. Whether we have ever told
the truth or not, heretofore is a proposition
which admits of argument; but going
to tell it now. Our readers, especially those
who have families to support. are well aware
how burdensome grocery bills are. let them
be as economical as possible. We can in
form them how to avoid all this difficulty.
for if they will take our advice in the matter
they will find their grocery bills very easy
things to settle 1t is this: Buy your pro-
visions of Sokolowsky. on Centre street. two
doors below the post office. and our word for
it, you will reduce the expenses of your liv-
ing at least third. He can, does, and
will sell goods cheaper than anybody else in
town, and besides all that he is constantly
replenishlng his stock. SO that you are sure
to get only nice, fresh groceries. Examine
and see if we do not tell the truth. We do
not wish to advise anyone to bay liquor, but
if you must have little good brandy in the
house, for an emergency, or little wine for
communion, or any other purposes, Isidore
has got the best in town.
Year: 1866

Coop RocK.-We were shown this week
by Mr.. Wesson, of our town, some very rich
specimens of gold-bearing sulphurets. taken
from his claim near Middle Bar. L, needed
no microscope or critical assay to determine
the presence of the aurif rous particles, for
they dazzled the eye with their brightness.
Wesson & Co. are making rapid progress in
prospecting their lead, and they feel confident
that by Spring they will have developed a
ledge of sufficient extent and richness to war
rant the erection of mill. The rock. from
the top to the bottom of their shaft, which
has been sunk to a considerable depth, pros
poets finely, and if the requisite machinery
for crushing the ore was on the ground, there
is no doubt but what their claim would pay
the owners handsome dividends. There are
number of claims in the vicinity of Middle
Bar, upon which labor is being pushed un-
ceasingly forward with the most fiatterine
promises of success. Should the prospects
continue as good, until Spring. as they are
nt present, there will be at least three new
mills erected n that district the coming Sum-
mer. We sincerely hope they may. All
that is necessary to render this one of the
most prosperous quartz mining districts il
the State, is to practically demonstrate the
richness of our leads.
Year: 1866

IF monument should be erected to the
honor of the most famous dancing masters of
the age, whose names would be inscribed
upon it but Church s. Jones AS musicians
they stand unrivaled. Whit wonder. then,
that Leger's Hall is crowded every Wednes-
day night, rain or shine, by those who are
anxious to perfect themselves in the elegant,
graceful artistic mode of dancing which is
exclusively taught by these inimitable devo-
tees of Terpsichore and to listen to the en-
thralling strains of seraphic harmony pro-
duced by these renowned disciples of Erato.
Their academy has become one of the insti-
tutions of the town. We await the coming
of Wednesday night as eagerly spendthrift
does the death of rich relative whom he
knows has made will in his favor. 1t af-
fords us an opportunity of passing one even
ing in the week pleasantly. Those who do
not attend. if there are any. arc missing a
good thing. The dancing school is the great
est success of the nineteenth century. Seven
ard half o'clock Is the hour fixed for the
commencement of the festivities. Be prompt
ly on hand.
Year: 1866

The ninth anniversary of this fourishing and
excellent society will be celebrated tomorrow,
on which occasion new banner will be dedicated.
The dedication will take place at the Jesuit Church
on Baronne street, and the ceremony prom
ises to be unusually interesting, the choir
engaged for the occasion being composed of most
admired vocalists. The ceremonies concluded,
the afternoon will be spent in festivities at the
lake, where sumptuous arrangements have been
made for the entertainment of the members of
the association and their guests. The programme
will be found in our advertising columns
Year: 1866

Lieutenant General, might have stolen a
million, but be would not might have
been Butler, but he wouldn't. If he
had sought after Office the Democracy
might have thrust it's arms up to the
elbows in this neW.fangled paper money,
proclaimed good as gold and called green
backs, if the Democracy had chosen to
seek for it. He proposed to speak until
the great peace sought for should be Sc
cured, and until the just responsibility
Of this Government should rest safely
upon the shoulders Of the Democracy
be proposed to put the time in, and put
it in well, and, so far as peace. Heart,
head and will, and all his mind, he would
give, until the last ballot was depoSited
Year: 1866

WY A Car Washes AFTER BAFIEe.-Proba.
" our your readers have noticed that cats
wash their faces after eating, instead Of be.
fore, as people do. Now We viii tell you he
cause Of this. When the 6rst cat was made.
she went out into the fields hunting Tor bifaO,
and out day she caught q swallow, and
brought it home. You 've got dirty face, :
said the swallow, you should wash it before
you eat; and the cat was foolish enough to
drop the bird, so that she could wash her
face, and away flew the swallow. The Cal
was vexed at tEe manner in which she had
been outwittsd, and exclaimed. Hence
forth I VIII eat irst and wash afterwards,
and the VOW is faithfully kept by all cats.
Year: 1866

nt1ynBy reference to our advertising col umns, you will learn many things of interest, one of which is, ITazen & Mepherson Lave a store, and in this store can be found full supply of Dry Goods, Clothing &c., together with many other articles suitable to the times and market. These gentlemen have goods of the right quality, and can sell as cheap as any house of the kind, west of the Mississippi river In visiting their house the other day, we were quite pleased with the affability of the clerks. the tasty arrangement of their shelves. Surely it is q good thing to under stand ones business. This Hazen & Mcpher- son do, therefore. give them call.
Year: 1866

CINCINNATI, September 26.-Senator John
Sherman, who has just arrived home from
trip to the tar West made a speech at Mans
field day before yesterday, in which he took
radical ground far in advance of his past record.
He intimated that If the South refused to adopt
the pending constitutional amendment they
would soon find themselves confronted with the
necessity of accepting not only the amendment,
but universal suffrage along with it. He gave
the substance of a conversation he had with the
President about the time OF the last Connecticut
election. The President at that time assured
him that he would assent to any programme of
reconstruction that did not include negro
suffrage.
Year: 1866

--Iongfelow is still busy over his translation
of the 1Divine Comedy the whole poem being
finished. the notes are now In hand. Dante Is
lucky: having gone through heaven and hell
with the greatest poets of ancient days; he is
now walking through the earth in company Of
one Of the sweetest singers OF modern days.
Year: 1866

Soon every eye that beams to-day
Must close forever 10 the dawn,
And every heart that beats be clay.


With clay upon.
A little while our earthly bed
Will be, perhaps, tended spot.
A llttie while our names be said


And then forgot.
But bright above will bend the sky,
And Nature will not seem 10 know
New millions of hor children lie.


As dust below.
The summers will as fruitful be,
The waters will as brightly run
Their shining course from mount to sea,


From pole 10 sun.
The air with breath Of other flowers,
And other sunshine will be filled,
And other birds, as sweet as ours,


Will sing and build;
And loud above our bosoms cold
The wheels Of life will turn the same.
And men will sin for power ami gold


Aud thirst for fame.
Some shall their blood as martyrs pour.
And others draw the ready blade
On fields where armies ne'er before


Had been arraysd;
Our graves may be battle ground,
And greener grow for human blood;
Evil will everywhere abound,


And SO will good,
or as who now are toilng here.
wonder what will then be saidi
How will our works and lives appear


When we are deadi
o, we'll If men can of us say
To day the world moves prouder on,
Because they liUed, and not that they


Are from IL gone"
Year: 1866

A SOUTHERN MISTAKE 1t appears by the
speeches and reports before the Southern Leg
islatures thst the impression prevails in the
South that the Constitutional Amendment was
a scheme of the ultra Radicals of Congress,
and the idea exists that the forcing" of it
upon the South was the very worst that this
faction could do. We are astonished that such
a mistake should prevail-when the facts are
open TO all, and the origin and history of the
Amendment are such recent matters of record.
Instead of being the scheme of the ultra -Radi-
Gals in Congress, it was opposed by Thad. Ste.
vens in memorable speech, in which he sor-
rowfully foreshadowed the passing away of the
sceptre from his grasp. Instead of being the
worst the Stevens party could do or think Of
We have only to recall the schemes Of confsca
ton, banishment, diSfranchisement and execu.
ton that were proposed, to show the folly Of
this idea. Il is quite true that the Amend


ment was not Democratic measure, but it il
equally true that it was not an ultra -Radica
measure. 1t was a measure that was original
ed, supported and passed by the more mode


rate sections of the Republican Party, and was
sustained by some who were specially known
as supporters of the Administration. The
South, therefore, need borrow no prejudice
against it because it was concocted BY those
whom they regard as their most violent enc


mics. We are afraid that their ignorance il
the matter arises from the fact that their lea
ders do not study the Congressional Globe a'
intently now as they used to do in other days
/ We assure them it is still a valuable paper.
Year: 1866

A young man named Perry recently commit
ted suicide at Oskaloosa, Iowa. He had Of
fered himself in marriage to Miss Mary Hall Of
that city She rejected him, and under the
excitement resulting from the rejection he de.
termined to kill Miss Hall and commit suicide.
His plan, as he stated it, was to kill her on hel
Iady learning of his threats, had proper pro.
lection with her On the following morning
Perry committed suicide.