smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

The South stands III the presence of
remorseless death. Its black wings
overshadow the fairest fields and
homes and cities of these stricken
States. Whether we will or no, we
are forced to contemplate the vanity of
our aims, seltishness and pursuits and
think and dream as meyer before of
the proximity of death. We think of
neighboring commonwealths as if some
demon of desolation had drawn over
them a funereal pail, and as if
cities first, and then wide districts had
been veiled from sight by this deep
black shadow that has moved silently,
slowly and steadily from the sea shore
to the point of confluence of the great
rivers of the continent. From these
lofty hills and through this transpar-
ent balmy atmosphere, we strain our
eyes and hold our breath while watch
ing the mysterious movements of this
fearful desolahon. 1t brings us face
to face, even on this bright Sunday
morning with that memorable fiat of
nature, which George d. Prentice said /:
''Dooms us to dust. We flourish and
fade as the leaves OF the forest, and
the flowers that bloom and glitter to-
day have no Trailer hold on life than
the mightiest monarch that ever shook
the earth with his footsteps. Genera
tlons of men will appear and dlsap-
pear as the grass, and 4he multitude
that throngs the world to-day will dis
appear as the footprints on the sea
shore. Men seldom think of the great
event of death until the shadow falls
across their pathway, hiding from their
eyes the faces of loved ones
whose living smile was the
sunlight of their very existence.
Death is the antagonist of life, and
the cold thought Of the tomb is the
skeleton of all feasts. We do not want
to go through the dark valley, although
its dark passage may lead to paradise;
we do not want to lie down in the
damp grave even with princes for bed
fellows.


In the beautiful drama of Iona
the hope of immortality, so eloquently
uttered BY the death-devoted Greek,
finds deep repose in every thoughtful
soul. When about to yield his strong
existence to the sacrifice of fate, his
'Clemanthe' asks if they should meet
again, to which be replies: i have
asked that dreadful question of the
hills that look eternal-of the clear
streams that flow forever-of the stars,
among whose fields of azure my raised
spirits have walked in glory. All were
dumb; but as l gaze upon thy living
face / feel that there is something in
the love that msntles through its beau
ty that cannot wholly perish. We shall
meet again, Ciemanthe.'"
Year: 1878

The Sherman Register says, 1--WE con-
fess the truth that God is not respon.
sible for the calamity that has befallen
the Valley of the Mississippi. We
grant the truth that He is not; but is
that any reason we should not invoke
His mercy in behalf Of the poor, suffer
ing people who are not in the least re-
sponsible for the filth or mis-govern-
ment2 And is not Gods beautiful,
holy Sabbath day proper time to in
woke His aid to stay the fell Destroyer"
We innocently supposed that these
woes were providentially sent upon the
people and would be providenhally
arrested. OF course We did. But
Martin thinks the wretched, stupid
local governments did it and that they
ought to be knocked on the head, and
OF course we can't do this on Sunday.
Very evidently rabble government,
after all, is the 'fell destroyer" that
Martin talks about and we can de-
vote Sunday to the invocation Of
Heavens aid in organizing the party
TO beat the rascals in the next election.
This is Martins argument extended to
its necessary conclusions II bad and
ignorant clty rulers have precipltated
these woes, good government viii DIS
coYer the remedy. Then why appeal to
Providence when results are in our
own handsl Shall We believe in the
miracles done at LOurdss and other
places, and also that Memphis is to be
miraculously curedl Shall the sick
city take up its bed and walk Such Is
Martin's Argument and assertion. and,


perhaps sitter al, be reasons vel, and
Year: 1878

THE Dallas Commercial justly says
''tbat the decline of the San Antonio
Herald leaves a good field for the Ec-
press, one of the most ably edited news
papers in the State 1t Is independent
and liberal, and has lived and pros
pered, furnishing another proof of the
fact thet Texas people do not want
narrow and bitter partisan papers.
Most people are fully aware that all
questions have two sides, and some
times more, and they generally prefer
paper that is liberal and courageous
enough to give them full view of the
whole case, to one which speaks
strictly according to the lines LAID down
by the rule and compass of partisan
prejudice"
Year: 1878




1t is the honored home of our pres
ent Governor, the home of the Chief
Justice, the home of the next Cover
nor, the home of the Speaker of the
House. The place is again honored as
the home of one of the Supreme Judges,
and perhaps will be called upon to fill
other important vacancies. In former
days due respect and courtesy was ex-
tended to all the different sections of
the State in the distribution of State
officials, provided men of ability and
worth could be found to fill the respec-
tive stations. Not so now. Men most
gifted in the art of moving upon the
political checkerboard generally sue
ceed.


1t is simply luck. Tyler is high,
beautiful and healthful. 1t is the
chosen seat of Federal, State and dis
trict courts. 1t therefore has happened
that able and learned lawyers were at
tracted to this delightful abiding place.
Must we prefer Rutabaga johnson,
when choosing an United States Sena-
tor, because Old Rooty dwells in
Northern Texas and the statesman and
scholar in Tyler2 His intellect Is as
narrow as the horizon that shuts in the
hills and valleys about him who asserts
that the eligibility or fitness of men for
high office depends upon the domicil.
1t is enough to know that Senator or
Governor has his home -TaH~~.
Either would be unfit for exalted of
fec if he ascribed his right to enjoy
public honors to the location of his
residence, and therefore the folly of
that nondescript editorial ranter at
Dallas who would carve out of Texas
new commonwealth. If measured by
his capacity for tasks of statecraft it
should not, in area, outrival Rhode Is
land, and all men of brains should move
out to give the tlighty journalist an un
obstructed career of measureless glory.
There are not more delightful homes
or more intellectual people in Texas
than are to be found at Tyler. II
then many of the most learned citi-
zens of Texas were attracted to the
spot, if they have illustrated there
genius and lear ming at the bar, at the
hustings aud in civil and Judicial sta.
tions if they have done even more
wonderful deeds when they con-
structed, even during these days of
financial distress, narrow gauge rail-
way to maintain the commercial lnde-
pendence of the place; if they have
won fame for themselves and for their
State, should the State refuse to accept
their services because so many of them
have been gathered in Tyler9


We have no special preference for
Judge Bonner, but when sectional
reasons are assigned for hostility to
Bonner or Roberts, we cannot respect
the argument, even If we must its
author. II any doubt the justice of
our reasoning, let them imagine the ef-
feet upon sensible people if Judge
Roberts, in addressing a multitude in
Dallas, should apologize for his folly
In having selected dwelling place in
Tyler, when he might have chosen the
spot in Dallas, redolent of the
blessed genius of him of the Herald,
famed by winds, burdened with the
dying groans OF Calder and with cease
less oaths and oNecrations, insulting
Heaven as they ascend among
clouds borne aloft on vapors of the
river of alcohol and death on whose
banks Dallas reposes in blissful splen-
dor
Year: 1878

If Ben Butler triumph in Massa-


2husetts, as he may if there be


thorough cooperation between the
Greenbackers and Democrats, he will


probably be the Greenbackers' candi-


date for the presidency, and if the
Greenbackers had strength in the
South that could be transferred to
Butler, he would be so formidable a
candidate for the presidency that
Grant alone could cope with him. But
Greenbacklsm is only strong where the
homeless multitude Is strong. Democ-
racy supplants it in the West and
South, and the Republican papers now
tell US that we will be forced to
choose between Grant and Ben Butler.
should await results in the Northwest
and in the South. These two sections
cooperating, propose to make the
next President of the United States.
Even if Ben Butler were supreme mas
ter of New England, he could not be-
come the country's master. New Eng
land has governed long enough, and,
least of all, will its supremacy be re-
produced by the arrant demagogue
and scene-shlfter. Ben Butler.
Year: 1878

there is no reason for arresting these
people, if the Houston Telegram be
well informed and just in its deduction
from the facts that the brutal villains
who burned family to death IN their
own home are guarded by an abun-
dance of money.
Year: 1878

II was evident he had been ON a long
and arduous spree. His face was red,
bis eyes were bleary, and his hands
shook. He stepped unsteadily from the
pavement into Union line car The
seats were occupied by ladies who were
out shopping, and he had to stand. He
clung to a strap, and tried hard to as
sumo u calm, dignified manner, but bis
nerves were unstrung. and his assumed
stiffness became limberness whenever
the car stopped, started or turned cor
ner. Yet he seemed to be satisfied that
he impressed the ladies as sober, self
possessed man, whereas his pitiable con-
dition was apparent to all.


His eyes fell on one of the panels over
tho window, where the advertisement of
an express company was framed, with a
horses head SO hung in a central open
ing that it moved with every jog OF the
car. He did not know that such figures
are new device in hOrss-car advertising.
He started, with widely-opened eyes, at
the nodding head of the beast and then
resolutely turned away, determined that
the ladies' should not be made aware of
what he thought was slight touch Of
delirium tremens. In another panel was
a tailor's advertisement, and he began to
read it, hoping to divert his mind from
the queer fancy about the horse. He
perused the first printed line, which led
his eyes along picture OF shoemaker
seated on bench at work. Suddenly,
as the car ran over a stone, the man in
the picture moved bis arms, as though
sewing the boot in his lap, and nodded
his head violently. The drunkard in
voluntarily calculated: "Ah-ah J. and
stared in horror. The ladies regarded
him wonderingly.


A stretch of smooth track made the
figure quiet, and the perturbed passen-
ger. with a strong effort, regained his
composure. He took firmer grip of
the strap, pulled himself up into very
upright attitude, and coughed violently,
so as to make the ladies think that his
calculations had been caused by some
thing wrong in his throat. The color of
his face, which had deepened to purple,
was slowly turning to scarlet, when he
saw placard of q mustard manufacturer,
bearing the trade.mark-a COW. The
car joited, and the cows head and tail
swayed gently and naturally. The sight
doubtless destroyed the drunkard's last
lingering doubt, for he cried: 1--we got
emf and started for the door. Cast
ing his eyes at the pictures, he saw thai
the shoemaker was sewing faster thar
before, and the horse was nodding Will
renewed vigor, the COW was shaking he
head and tail with vicious energy, ant
even the mouth of dog in another pane
was rapidly opening and shutting. "Yes
I've got 'em sure, he said. as he brushed
past the conductor and jumped from tn


car Philadelphia Times.
Year: 1878

A STARVING MANS FEAsT.-A man
named Paquette was engaged in one OF
the Upper Ottowa shanties as cook, but,
neglecting his personal appearance. the
men insisted upon his being discharged.
He left the shanty after having supplied
himself with sufficient provisions to last
him until he reached the first farm
houses. On his second day out blind
ing snow storm came on, and he lost his
way. At the end of the third day his
provision bag gave out, and he had not
the slightest idea of his whereabouts.
He walked on, however, in the hope of
reaching some welcome goal. On the
seventh day he had grown so weak that
he was unable to walk any further. He
laid himself down on snowbank, and
made up his mind that there he had to
perish. He had been there but few
minutes when horse and cutter came
in view, and he had barely sufficient
strength left to hail the driver. He suc-
ceeded, however. in the end, and it
turned out to be priest to whom he
told his story. The reverend gentleman
drove him to the parsonage, and gave
the half starved man something to eat.
He left him alone at the table while he
went outside to look at his horse, and
when he returned found Paquette lying
on the floor writhing in agony. Before
medical aid could be summoned the un
fortunate man had expired, On an ex
animation being made, it was founc
death was caused by excessive eating. -
Toronto Globe.
Year: 1878

A FABLE.--There once lived in farm
yard great many roosters and hens.
Now. it ohanced one morning that a
young hen with very fine voice began to
crow. Thereupon oil the roosters hurried
together and solemnly declared that there
was nothing so dreadful as growing hen
Now, there was in the yard rooster who
had always been feeble and could only
cackle. but when the hen mentioned this
the roosters shook their heads and said.
"Females do not understand logic"
Moral.-There Is a ereal deal OF difference
between cackling rooster and growing
hen.-lL Lille Devereaux Blake.
Year: 1878

ANOTHER USE FOR THE PHoNoaRApH.
When the phonograph shall have
become so cheap as to be within
the reach of all, which it must
inevitably do after while, the
dread Of burglars will no longer be
one of the terrors of the night.
Fill your phonograph-No. 6, in


tended exclusively for the use Of
families-with the force bark of
dog and have it so arranged with
wires or cords that not door about
the house can he opened, not Il
shutter loosened nor window
raised, without starting the machine
and turning, loose the vicariate
bow-wow.wow bottled within it
and you can retire to your virtuous
couch at night with that serene
confidence which the Christian feels
in four aces. - Couyier-.7 7ouss,dl.
Year: 1878

John Lorrimer believed it q sad day
for himself when Mr.. Strathley came to
Ford to look after the mill, which had
lately fallen into the hands of Strathley
Il Stone, lumber merchants of the me-
tropolis, a hundred miles away. Why
had Mr.. Strathley chosen to immure
himself in that little country village,
whose society was naturally uncongenial
to a man of the world2 Why, if it were
not because he had seen Margaret on
his first visit to look after the purchase
of the mill, and had dined at her grand
fathers as if he were an old friend
John reasoned. Were not women as
fair in his own world whom he could
love and win, that he need go out of his
way to rob another man? Gould he
not have sent an agent to reside at Ford,
and attend to the firms business, in
that old-fashioned corner of the earth,
if money-making were the only attrac-
ton? What maglign fate had caused
him to gravitate to Ford, where no
stranger was ever known to stay mo-
ment longer than circumstances obliged
him With his fine manner and fine
clothes, with his palaver about all things
in heaven and earth; his handsome face
and figure, was 1T not hiding his light
under a bushel? What could he find in
Ford to interest him if it were not
Margaret?


1t was bitter season for Lorrimer,
who, having been sweet upon Margaret
ever since he was boy in jackets, felt
as if he had established claim upon her
affections, and was aggrieved to find her
amused by Strathley-walking with him
in season and out of season; sitting in
the farmhouse porch in confidential
converse, or singing from the same old
psalter on Sunday evenings. 1t was
surely enough to enrage any lover, and
especially one who felt so certain of his
case that he had delayed about riveting
the chains, and had taken everything
for granted before putting the question.


Lorrimer began to study his mirror
for the first time in his life; to become
enamored of fine clothes to suspect
himself of awkwardness and ignorance.
1t suddenly occurred to him that he
must have been blind ever to have be-
lieved that Margaret would care for
him, though he had thought that ac-
tions spoke louder than words though
he had taken her part at school, when
the others twitted her about her shabby
gowns and her wild brother Ben, who
had brought his grandfather's nose to the
grindstone-the country people said
and obliged him to mortgage the farm
and this same mill, which had been his
own years ago, in order to pay gambling
debts.


"And served him right" they grum'
blcd, not satisfied with the retributiOr
Providence had seen fit to administer
served him right for edicating Ben be-
Year: 1878

A short time after the ship lilo quilted
Callao, Peru, the captain discovered two
stowaways on board and put them in
irons. During the following night a
Chilian, who had hung his hammock in
the quarter of the ship where the
prisoners were, accused one of them of
having stolen his food. The accused
explained that this was impossible, as
his chain prevented his reaching it,
whereupon the monster of a Chilian
struck him down, and deliberately pro-
ceeded to cut off his head and throw it
into the water. He then wished to des-
patch the trunk after it, but was prevent
cd by its being attached by an iron ring
fixed to the bridge by a chain. Where
upon he hacked away at it and cast it
pieeemeal into the sea The other
stowaway was meanwhile in such an
agony of terror that he did not cry out.
The assassin was placed in the hands Of
the authorities at Iquique.
Year: 1878

Yonhillside with its shafts Of cleaning white,
Bathed in the glory OF the setting sun,
Holds many grave where, hidden from our


sight,


Some loved one sleeps, life's toll and labor


done.
But there are graves over whose slumbering


mould


No polished marble rears It's stately head,
And where no fragrant flowers above unfold
To waken pity for the quiet dead.
These are the graves deep down within our


hearts,


Where lie the hopes and dreams OF early


years,
Buried from sight, but signhlled by suoh marks
AS only can be made by blood and tears
Some early love that crowned us in our youth,
And made life glorious for a short sweet


hour
Some cherished promise, robbed Of strength


and truth,


Crushed in the morning Of its newborn


power.
Here is the spot where memory has engraved
The form and face of one we called friend
One for whose welfare we would cen have


braved


Censure and helrtache TO the bitter end.
But twas not wisely done and 80 we draw
Before the treachery of the smiling eyes
A heavy veil. The cold world il it saw,
Would profrcr pity in thousand lies.
So life goes on. We lay the forms away
OF things we loved not wisely but too well,
And in the lapse of years we learn TO stay
The fretful chanting OF their funeral knell.
We learn to smile, before the smiling throng,
Although the adder's tangs be deeply set
And join, perhaps, our voices in the song,
To soothe the pain we never can forget
And thus we learn to envy the calm rest
or those who sleep beneath the silent sod
Bound with lte's Calling chains, VIC know 'tib


best


To bend our heads and pass beneath the rod
And when we see some mourners heavy clad
In robes OF black, haggard, with tear.


dimmed eye,
We know their lives would be more bright anc
glad
4 Could they but reason-it Is life to die.
Mourn not the slumbering dead but rather


say,


Blest are the sleepers, Years may come and


go:
Heads that are brown and gold may turn to


gray;


But they are done with earth and tears and


woe.
Somewhere, We know, beyond the world OF


stars


They VIII at last have found sweet Lethe's


stream;


Where .lfe is love, and love one long true


dream.
Year: 1878

his mind, in the manner which / car
ried out, for the final consummation of
his happiness. introduced my pain to
Caroline, who approved of it. At the
most it would only be keeping him from
his wife an hour or two longer.


Caroline herself brought the dress al
ready perfumed with violets, which had
once been a favorite dress of Eleanora,
but had long lain among the precious
relics of the supposed dead. The pri-
vacy Of the dressing-room gave the two
women an opportunity to arrange the
scenic effects. Probably it was as hard
for Eleanora to restrain herself as for
Dudley, when, as he said truly, he heard
the rustic of her garments and felt the
living warmth of her breath upon his
cheek. .....t


All necessity for further restraint was
now over happily; the young wife lay
sObbing upon the bosom whose every
throb had been so constant to her. Car
oliEe was in tears,and am not ashamed
to confess that my own eyes we're not as
clear as usual.
Year: 1878

\ PRAcTICaL Use OF DoGs.-It is fact
perhaps not generally known that there Is a
firm doing business in San Francisco who
purchase the thousands q dogs slaughtered
by the poGud master Of that city or that may
have been otherwise killed, for winch they
pav forty cents each. The carcasses are
conveyed to their manufactory at South San
Francisco. where the skins are removed and
sold to the tanneries, the hair taken of and
rcsol,i 10 plasterers, the hides tanned and
male into gloves, and sold in the market.
The denuded carcass is then thrown into a
huge cauldron and boiled until the bones are
easily separated from the flesh, when they
are removed and sold to the sugar refneries.
where they are ground to Z powder and used
to clarity sugar The oil that rises 10 the
surface Of the boiling mass is them skinned of
and manufactured into cod liver oil. and the
remainder is used for the pGrpose of fatten-
ing hogs.
Year: 1878

NEw WAY TO Par 0LD DEBTs.-A singu-
lar way to obtain payment Of money due a
Hindoo is for the creditor to plant himself
before the door OF the debtor, and vow that
he means to remain there, without food,
until his money is paid As point of
honor. which it is deemed impossible to vio-
late, the debtor must, In ike manner, remain
without food; and if payment Is not made
the parties immediately begin 10 pat tl,eir
mutual power of enduring hunger TO the test
This trial might sometimes prove illusory,
and therefore the creditor usually makes
sure that the fastening of the debtor is real
by cutting off his supplies. This kind Of
clherma, employed by troops against their
paymaster, or tine prime minister, or the
sovereign himself. has often been effectual
in obtaining their arrears Of pay. In America
the creditor often starves but the debtor
grows fat by paying ten cents on dollar
Year: 1878

NeT 4 COMPETENT JUpGE.-''I do lot
think, madame, that any man Of the least


common sense would approve OF your con-
duct, said an indignant husband 'Sir,
retorted his better hall, chow can you Judge
what any man of the least sense would do.''
Year: 1878

IL Won wish to find out the length OF day
and night any time of the year double the
time of the suns rising, which gives the
length Of the night.and double the time OF
setting, which gives the exact length OF the
day
Year: 1878

1t is to be hoped, especially that
the Democrats in Congress will reso-
lutely insist upon such legislation as
the pressing wants of the people de-
mand. The party that devotes itself
this session, with the greatest zeal,
sagacity and good sense to the prac-
ticaI interests of the universal public
will be certain to lead on the home
stretch in the next Presidential can
yaSS.
Year: 1878

Jonah wrote TO his father after the
whale first swallowed him, stating that
be thought he had discovered good
opening for young man going into
oil business, but aflerward wrote for
money to bring him home, stating that
| he had been sucked in.
Year: 1878

The lady vas leaning on the arm of an elegant
and wealthy young man and leading her little
daughter by the hand, when suddenly the child
said, '' o, ma, ma, look there. See that gentle
man that's passing. Don't you know him?''
- N-no my child Why, mamma, he was
pa last year Ma faints. Music by the
band.