smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1866

.THF FAMINE NIGHT-We can well
recall the night OF ruin which ushered
in the famine. 1t was a warm sum
mer's evening, soft and pleasant, and
nothing in the atmosphere foretold to a
common observer that anything unusual
was impending. 1t happened to us to
drive through some large fields of pota-
toes which at that time occupied so vast
a part of the ample land of Ireland, and
through the open windows of the car
riage came the sweet smell of the pota-
tolblossom ; the fields we're in full flower.
4" What a fine field How sweet the bios
som is p we remarked. A few hours
later, after dinner at neighbor's house,
we returned by the same fields. 1t was
dark, but the smell Of the field came
again into the carriage. But how
changed from what it was few hours
before! What horrible sort of air
comes off these felds-there must be
something very bad in the atmosphere
some KIND of blight tonight" we
said as we went home. Next morning
every crop was black and blasted. The
blight did not come as in later Geasons,
partially end slowly, but at once and en-
tirely. The whole food of well nigh
six millions of people was destroyed In
that one night.-Fraser's Magazine.
Year: 1866

ACE OF THE OIL BAIsIN.-How long
the existence of petroleum in north
western Pennsylvania has been known
would be difficult to imagine. Since
the settlement of the country by the
whites; its presence has always been ac-
knowledge, though not until within a
few years was it supposed to exist in
quantities sufficient to become an article
of general or commercial value. We
have no record as to whether the abUr-
igines made use of it in any way except
for medical purposes. 1t was by them
gathered in small quantities and offered
to the whites as sovereign remedy for
all ills. But that it was at one time,
in the worlds history, gathered in large
quantities, there is abundant evidence
to be found all over the oil country, and
by the same race Of people who have
left throughout the country, particularly
in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, mounds
and ruins which would indicate an ad-
vanced state of civilization. These
people we're of prior date to the abort
gines, and are conceded BY some to be
of the Aztec tribes. That they had
" oil on the brain" there can be no
doubt, but the fever could not have
spread and affected so many hundreds
of people as it has during the present
time, nor is it at all likely that they
either obtained or had market for so
much oil as those of the present day.
The indications consist mainly of vats
or tanks, constructed of logs and sunk
in the ground, some of which were ap-
parently of a capacity of one and two
hundred barrels. They are found in
many places contiguous to Oil Creek.
Trees of great age grown up inside of
them and over them. But there are no
tools, no inscriptions, no hieroglyphics,
to indicate their age or nationality


They are enveloped in grim obscurity,
notwithstanding the light which they
most likely gave to certain portion of
the world.-Er1e City Dispatch.
Year: 1866

The world grows old and men grow cold


To each while seeking treasure;
And what with want, and care, and toll,


We scarce have time for pleasure.
But never mind that is q loss


Not much to be lamented-
Life rolls on gaily, if we will


But smile and be contented.
If we are poor and would be rich.


1t will not be by pining;
No! steady hearts and hoping minds


Are lIfe's bright silver lining.
There's ne'er man that dared to hope,


Hath of his choice repented-
The happiest souls on earth are those


Who smile and are contented.
When grief doth come to rack the heart,
And fortune bids us sorrow,
From hope We may blessing reap,


And consolation borrow
II thorns will rise where roses bloom,


1t cannot be prevented
So make the best of life you can,


And smile and be contented.
Year: 1866

and make up the difference, and get the
heavy burden off my mind. did so,
and now what will the old woman say
l must go back to the Cape and tell her
this good news. She'll probably say
over the very words she said when she
put her hands on my shoulder when we
parted: 81 have never seen the right
eous forsaken, nor his seed begging for
bread!" With hearty shake of the
hand, aud blessing upon our fathers
memory, he went upon his way rejoic-
ing.


After short silence, seizing his pen
Gil and casting few figures, "There !"
exclaimed my brother, "your share
would be so much; contrive to convey
to me your share of the pleasure derived
from this operation, and the money is at
your service. Commercial anecdotes.
Year: 1866

A STRANGE SToRY.-A few nights ago, a
ship lying near a wharf at Gloucester Mass.
was entered, and the captain was aro1sed by
the noise. A man stood over him with a re-


yolveI saying if he moved he was a dead man,
The captain lay quiet and the fellow backed
out ofthe cabin. As soon as he had reached
the deck the captain sprang from his berth,
and, seiZlng his revolver, rushed up stairs.
Tne man was just about climbing up the
wharf, when he fired, shooting him dead on
the spot. An examination Of the body proved
it TO be that Of a clerk in the bank where the
captain was In the habit of depositing his
haddrawn out quite large sum, which was
known to the clerk, and, TO obtain it. the rob.
berry, which had cost him his life, was at.
tempted. 7.
Year: 1866

An IRON BREAKER.-Locked M in a cell i'm
Henrico county Jail, is a man named Chastaiu
Hampton, who has been sent on by the Justices
on charge Of horse stealing. Hampton was
fastened TO the floor with an iron anklet chain
and ring but In some mysterious way he
smashed the anklets as IL il were only a
woman's garter. He was ironed again with
the same ult as before; and so for seven
times in succession did this thing happen, 10
the great bewIlderment Of the blacksmith who
made them, who swears by hammer and anvil
that Hampton must be the -. No tools
have been found in the cell by which the
smashing could have been done, unless they
be concealed in his clothes, which, we believe
have not been searched. The Clerk of the
Court, as soon as Hampton is left to himself
his irons, which, by the way, IL appears he
does in derisfon Of his keepers, and not with
any view Of making his escape
Year: 1866

Z Shearing has been in rapid progress


this week, but as yet there is no move


ment calculated to throw any light upon


the probable direction of the market,


and in that particular we are as much


in the dark as we were week age. Oc-
casioDal blanket lots are changing hands,
for which 45c appeatsstO be the stand
ard price. There are no orders from the
East, so far as We know. The large
manufacturers have been buying largely
for the last sixty days in order to avoid,
as far as may be, that competition in the
active Wool season. which always causDs
the market to rule. in favor of the seller,
albeit there are great many small manu-
facturers who will be obliged to have
light lots to keep running. and they will,
therefore, be forced into the position of
buyers, and the prices they pay will go
a great way toward establishing a mar
Aet. If they are willing to pay soc for
good lots, it is quite likely that the
growers would meet them on the ground,
but they will not feel like going as high
as that unless some new feature becomes
developed, and even then the same
causes that would induce them to ad-
vance their views, would be pretty GER
tain to strengthen the views of the
growers, so that they would be as far
apart as eyer.--POst. r-u. ...
Year: 1866

A FLAG FOR IGARIBALDI,--A number
oC ladies of New York will present a flag
to Garibaldi, and one hundred young
men will be chosen as the bearers of it.
Each member of this special committee
will be expected to furnish his own out
AT and to defray his own expenses Ths
banner, which will he furnished on sat
urday morning, is to cost $3.50 It will
bs the dag Of Italy On one side the
coat of arms of New York will be EN-.
hroidered. and on the other the Italian
coat of arms The committee will start
for Europe probably on Saturday,. z.
Frpyees.
Year: 1866

UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE IN New JER


sEY.--It is announced that the colored
men of New Jersey are moving to obtain.
the right to vote Being tax payers,
they claim tho right to vote, and will
offer their ballots at the next election,
and if refused will bring the matter to
the attention of the courts. 1t is said
that wealthy colored men are at the
head of this movement, and that Gen
Butler has already been retained on their
behalf for the legal proceedings that are
Anticipated. ....
Year: 1866

ALLEGED FRAUD on THE GOVERN
MENT.-A few days ago naval officer
connected with the ordnance department
of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, was arrested
and put ia close confinement on board
the United States Ship Vermont, on the
charge of surreptitiously selling cargo
Of gunpowder, worth from twenty-five
to fifty thousand dollars, and ndappropriat-
ing the proceeds to his personal benefit.
Commander H. A. Wise, the chief OF the
bureau of ordnance is now personally
investigating the matter.
Year: 1866

I horrible affair occurred at Monticello, Fla.
on the 9th Of January. 1t appears that q
young lady who has been gradually exhibiting
signs of insanity, retired to her room, about
ten o'clock. Shortly after, as member OF the
family was passing the door Of her room she
was heard praying fervently. The odor Of
burning rags was also noticed, and the door
being opened the young woman was found
sitting in the centre of feather bed cnvelop-
ed in flames, while with clasped hands, she
was praying fervently, and exclaiming. NOhI
amt this gloriousl Amt q martyrp The
fire was promptly extinguished, when it was
found the poor lady must have been burning
for some time; for from her waist down every
yestige of clothing was destroyed, notwith-
standing, she was dressed in heavy wooden
fabrics, and had on broadeloth coax. The
character of clothing she wore was all that
protected the upper portion Of her body. The
flesh upon the lower portion Of her body and
limbs was actually baked brown, and notwith-
standing she did not appear to suffer pain
FROM the circumstances it would appear that
she set fire to her clothing and then got into
bed.
Year: 1866

The following interesting sketches
are from the pen of w .. StOddard,
one of Mr.. Lincoln's private Secreta-
RES:


While the ever varying throng which
passed In and out of the doors of the
White House furnished an almost un-
limited field for the student of human
nature, [ think that the best point Of
observation was at the very moment
of presentation to the President.


Among the daily applicants for an
interview with Mr. Lincoln were rep
resentatives of every class and grade in
the social scale, and from every corner
of the vast domains of the republic,
and it would be hardly correct to say
that he was less than perfectly at
home with any and all of them
Even in conversation with men whose
superior culture and information he
frankly acknowledged, or for whose
moral dignity or great achievements he
professed the utmost respect, Mr. Lin
coin was free from that embarrassment
which at times is so painfully manifest
in weaker men. Such entire self pos
session Is sometimes the consequence
of overwhelming lf-esteem, or an ev-
er present consciousness of the posses
sion of power, but with him it was the
result Of his utter absence of self-con-
seiousness. His thoughts rarely re-
verted to any effect or impression
which he himself might be making,
and he was, therefore, if not at all
graceful, at least easy and natural.


There were not IN those days many
| ladies' among the applicants at the
WI ite House. Perhaps two or three
a day would be a very liberal average,
think over rather than under the
mark. His manner with the softer
sex was kind and courteous, and he
had a great deal of that chivalrous
/ Difference for women which is the in
variable characteristic of strong and
manly nature, but here his disposition
/ to yield special privileges terminated.
/ In his eyes, a lady who called upon
him in the prosecution Of business,
public or private, was simply lady
on business, and she was little, If
anything, more. Indeed, it seemed
an unpleasant and irksome thing to
him to have lady present a petition
for any favor when the same duty could
Year: 1866

dent. In her simple mind she had no
doubt of his boundless wealth, or that
when once he heard her story he would
pay off the mortgage. So she raised
some money among her neighbors by
subscription, and started for Washing
ton, travelling by all sorts of convey
anees, and of course taking the longest
road, and bringing her four little chill
dren with her. How she did it is
mystery only to be solved by Him who
feeds the young ravens, but she actu-
ally reached the capital with more
money than when she started, and fell
into kind hands when she got there
OF course she saw Mr. Lincoln. and he
listened to her story and read her let
ters with half humorous, half vexed
expression that was irresistible.


he did not say much, only muttering
children and fools, you know" but
put his name on subscription paper
for a moderate sum. The subscription
so started rapidly swelled to the de-
sired amount, and the poor woman was
ticketed homeward over the Govern
ment routes, puzzled and yet satisfied.
She had spent more money. going and
coming, than the whole of her debt
twice over. Such is wisdom.
Year: 1866




Over 5000 people assembled at the
dedication of the Stonewall Cemetery
for rebel dead at Winchester, Va,
Oct. 25. Among other ceremonies Gov.
Henry A. Wise delivered an grafton
in the course of which he made the
following declarations


I came to condole with and comfort
the living Search among the ashes of
the dead for example how to survive
their death, how to live after them,
how to nourish the seed of instructible
truth. Their mortal foes shall build
their shrines. Their friends are too
despoiled to more than mark the places
where they lie all around them. Their
enemies are gathering the whitening
bones of those they repulsed and slew
to raise mounds to deeds made memo
rable, to memoirs made worthy of
mention by their steel, and every
stone shall tell the story of their woe
to every passer by. [ invoke the
mighty Confederate dead, and 10 in
stantly the valiant clay of this conse-
Grated Valley of Virginia becomes in
spired with animation in every atom.
A grave In Lexington, trembling,
quickly gives up life breathing spirit
IN a great example-the sanctifed
StoneWall Jackson A very Michael
Of deliveranee his example speaks to
us of the intransic sterling stamina of
his moral greatness.
( Here the speaker apostrophized the
character of jackson and continued.
The StonewaH example is not only
admonishing, but is cheering and full
of hope 1t puts to shame not only
the dead machivellian dogma that
faith, the truth of a moral principle,
can ever, or could ever be submitted
to the arbilrament of arms, to be con
quered by the mere force Of numbers
but it scouts that qUorse than immoral
itY Which ntaIiglts q cause 1g0rth Stone
qcaU JackSon's fighting tor and worth
his daying for by calling it a lost
cause. IF crucihxion could lose a
cause, the Captain Of our Salvation
was conquered He died that the
cause might live and from that day the
blood of the martyr has been the seed
of the church. If our cause is lost it
vas false If true it is lost, first victor
les cannot be termed final results.
There were many errors in our ways
of going out to war. Those errors
fell The truths for which we fought
get tiUe.
Year: 1866

A CANDID MIND.-There is nothing
sheds so fine light upon the human
mind as candor 1t was called white
ness by the ancients, for its purity and
it has always won the esteem due 70
the most admirable of the virtues.
However little sought for or pFaotioed,
all do TO it the homage of their praise,
and feel the charm and power ofits
influence. The man whose opinions
make the deepest mark on his fellow
man, whose influence is the most lasting
and efficient, whose friendship is in
stinctivly sought where all others have
proved faithless, is not the man Of
brilliant parts, or hattering tongue, or
splendid genius, or commanding power;
he whose lucid candOr and ingenious
truth transmit the hearts real feelings
pure and without reiractiOn. There
are other qualities which arc more
shoWy, aud other traits that have q
higher place in tho worlds code. Of
honor, but none wear better, or gather
lees tarnish by use, or claim deeper
homage in that silent reverence which
the mind must pay TO virtue.
Year: 1866

Leave the flag with Us who loved him
Whom the Copperheads assailed,
As he stood, our chosen leader,
When the storm of treason rose.
IT'S the flag that waved above him,
As the ship of State he sailed
Freedoms last and grandest pleader,
Struck to earth by Freedoms foes


Leave the flag with US


We'er the boys in blue,


To the Union true


Leave the flag with US!
Leave the flag with US who bore it
Under LincOln's watchfuI eye;
At his call we sprung to battle
When the walls of Sumter fell.
On the bloody field we bore it,
With the hosts Of treason nigh,
Where the eannon's suIlen rattle
Was our dying comrades kneIL


Leave the flag with us!


We'er the boys in blue.


70 the Union true


Leave the flag with US!
Leave the flag with US who saved it.
Standing close by Lineoln's side;
Not with those whose lips DETAINED him
Till death hid him from their view.
ae smiled on US as we waved it
Where its colors were denied,
For our friendship never shamed him
We'er the Country's boys in blue


Leave the flag with us


We're the boys in blue,


To the Union true


Leave the flag with US J. -
Year: 1866


A ring she wore, a jewel that pressed
The maiden beauty of her breast.
A glove our happy hand once drew
From her small finger veined with blue
A ribbon that around her throat
Loved in the daIlaying winds to float.
A golden clasp that once had known
The siIken pressure of her zone.
A little slipper with blue rosette
In which her fairy foot was set.
And one brown tress thro' happy years
Shading the sheIl-fIms of her ears.
These, and an ivory types duh stain,
Are all of our dear one that now remain.
All the dear relics that are left
Of her by whose loss our hearts are cleft.
Leaving the world dim, dead space
Of cares and duties with little grace.
A duh, dead level of weary years
In which no blOssOming joy appears.
No girl with teeth like rows of corn
When you strip the ear as the summer


is born.
And tresses of changing gold and brown
Over shoulders of ivory shaken down.
And lips in whose arched and crimson


bow


All the flushing balms Of the tropics


glow.
And over whose dimpIed cheeks, like


light
And shade over meadow, the thoughts


take flight.
Winged by her innocent, dazzling eyes,
With coyness, coquetry. smiles and sighs
Her voice was the hum of a summer


wind,
When it breaThed through a lattice


with roses twined.
Her soul was as pure, as unsuIIied and


white
As the chanting seraphs in robes of


light.
And the kindness that dwelt in her


heart, I de EN-
OF the Heaven she now dweIIs in was


some stray CLEAN.
Oh loved and lost our souls adored !
Our dove with silver wings-our bird !
Beauty embodied, and joy, and peace,
Whose breath had a charm bidding sor-


row cease.
Best gift that heaven to bless US gave
We cast this chaplet on thy grave.


MILES O'RILLY.
Year: 1866

The wickedness Of this world does
consist in this, that men are addicted


to business, but in this, that they fol-


low their business so incompletely (;
that they look at it only on the earth
side that they fail to hear its testi-
monies of higher things that they
stop on it as a thing sufficient in itself,
whereas it is a sym Dol Of things yet to
come, that shall be higher, and nobler,
and better than present things. So
soon as a man is satisfied that there is
higher wealth than this world affords
so soon as a man is satisfied that his
life consists not of the abundance of
the things which he possesses, he is
fitted to acquire wealth and administer
it. No man is fit to be q merchant, a
mechanic, a ship-master, a husband
man, an operator in any department of
secular life, as that man who has learn
ed to so look at the things Of this
world as to see their higher interpre-
tati0n, their noble revelations.-Beecb-
Year: 1866

Men, for the most part, do not know
how to find the honey ia the things of
this world. You would never suspect
where the honey of a flower is or if
you did. too coarse is your hand to be
thrust in to get it, But the insect
buries itself in the flower, and then,
with prehensile instrument, far reach
ing, searches the cells for the honey,
and draws out the hidden stores. It's
very fneness gives to it what your
withholos from you. We
are not fine enough TO find the joy that
is hidden in many Of the relations OF
life In this world.
Year: 1866

ALL THINGS SPEAK OF JESUS
Did you ever think how ever part Of
your house can remind you of the great
truths which jesus Christ taught a.
bout himself2 The corner stone says,
Christ is the cornerstone :" the door,


II am the door," the burning candle,
Christi is the light Of the world" You
look out fthe window, and the sight
Of the starry sky bids you turn your
eyes to the bright and morning STAR
The rising sun speaks Of the Sun Of
righteousness, with healing in his
wings" The loaf on your table Whis-
pers of the dread Of life" When
you lie down you think of Him who
had not where to lay His head and
when you get up you rejoice that He
Is the resurrection and the life.
Year: 1866

DOMESTIC LOVE.-WhOever wrote
the following beautiful lines we VEN
ture to assert had "been there to see :"
Domestic Love not In proud palace halls


Is often seen thy beauty to abide
Thy dwelling is In lowly cottage walls,


That in the thiokets Of the woodbino hide


With hum Of bees around, and from the side
woody hills some little bubbling spring,


Shining along thro' banks with harobeIls dyed
And many bird, 70 warble on the wing,
When Morn her saffron robe o'er heaven and earth


doth fling.


o love Of loves to thy white hand is given


OF earthly happiness the golden key
Thine are the Joyous hours Of winters even,


When the babes cling around their fathers knee
And thine the voice that on the midnight sea
Melts the rude mariner with thoughts Of home,
Peoplng the gloom with an he longs TO sec.
Spirit I've built a shrine, and thou has come,
And on its altar closed forever closed thy plume
Year: 1866

"WEDNESDAY, March 2s-6 NJ


The current of speculation on the stock Exchange mas
been sluggish to-day, although the 1one o 'ne a'Ao'
WAS firm The erratic of gold during the week
has diverted attention from railway shares and filed
ths specle room with species Of operators only
10 be found there in periods of excitement, but the
tendency of prices is decidedly upward The under
given quotations for the leading speculative stocks
at the first regular board the lst Of December last
ant to-day show that they with exceptions from
six 10 fourteen per cent lower than they them
while Ae earnings Of all the roads have the interval