smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

Last week the Democrats in Congress
moved for committees of investigation
into the management of various depart
ments of the government The motion
created a terrible futter among the Re
publicans, who opposed the motion, and
filibustered until the adjournment over
the holidays had been carried. But it has
got to come, sooner or later.
Year: 1877

Two sailing ships and steamer will
he ready to sail in February and March
nnder the direction of the Secretary of the
Navy with goods for the French Interna-
1ional Exposition. The Commissioner of
Agriculture will prepare an extensive dis
play of the products of this country, and
also will exhibit choice collection of diff
1erent kinds of wood of the United States
Year: 1877

Up in Vermont they are going to try a
Deacon for the murder of his wife by
poison. He says his troubles had their
origin at a kissing party, where a woman
gave him such a kiss that he hankered
after more Of them, and finally killed
his wife 50 as to be free to follow after
the siren. 1t is the old and cowardlv eX-
cuse Of Adam and the apple 1.-The wo-
man gave it to me-"
Year: 1877

A painful case of hydrophobia has just
occurred at Colyton, Devon, England. At
the latter end of July Or beginning of
August last, threoyoung girls, the daugh-
ters of cottager named Coke, living at a
place called Buddleshayes, about five miles
from Colyton, on the main road to Ottery
ST. Mary, while out on an evening walk
near their home, saw strange dog lying
bv the roadway. They went to look at the
animal, when it sprang at the eldest, re-
markably fine girl of sixteen, and seized her
by the wrist The girl couragcously laid
hold of the dog by the neck and dragged
him to turnpike gate near, and asked the
keeper of the gate to destroy him, as both
of them thought he was mad. Owing to
some bungeing on the part of the man
arising, probably, from nervousness-tho
dog broke away and escaped. When she
had returned home the father took his
daughter to the parish surgeon and had the
wound cauterized. There was only one
nuncture and scratch, which soon healed
Nothing more was thought of it until a few
days ago, when she complained of intense
pain affecting the whole arm. Medical ad-
vice was at once procured, and undoubted
SYMPTOMS of hydrophobia showed them
selves. The poor girl waste the lastperfectly
conscious of her trouble, and besought her
father and sisters to keep away or she must
bite them, and further implored her father
to put an end to her sufferings.
Year: 1877

Few writer's realize the extent of their
own labor. A rapid penman can write
thirty words in minute. To do this he
must draw his pen through the space of a
rod-sixteen feet and half. In forty min
utes his pen travels furlong, and in five
hours a third of mile. We make, on an
average, sixteen curves or turns Of the pen
in writing each word. Writing thirty
words minutes we must make four hum
dred and eighty to each minute; in an hour,
twenty-eight thousand; in a day of only
five hours, one hundred and forty-four
thousand and in year of three hundred
days, forty-three million, two hundred
thousand. The man who made one NIL
lion strokes with pen in month was not
at all remarkable. Many MEN, newspaper
men for instance, make four millions Here
we have in the aggregate, mark of three
hundred miles long to be traced on paper
by each writer in year. In making each
letter of the ordinary alphabet we must
make from three to seven of the pen-or an
average of three and half to four.
Year: 1877

Do people suffer when they are killed by
lightning? This is very interesting ques-
ton, and one upon which there has been
much speculation.


A SEMITIC writer-Dr. John Tyndan-
has published a learned essay on the sub
ject, and his conclusion is, that death
caused by lightning is not accompanied by
any pain whatever. 1t is an instantaneous
''negation of ife," or cessation of conscious
ness, without suffering.


He says that the seat of sensation is the
brain and to it the intelligence of any i'm
preston made upon the nerves has to be
transmitted before this impression can be-
come manifest in consciousness. The
transmission, moreover, requires time, and
the consequence is that wound inflicted
on a portion of the body distant from the
brain is more tardily appreciated than one
inflicted adjacent to the brain. BY an ex-
tremely ingenious experimental arrange
ment the velocity of this transmission has
Leen determined, and found to be about
one hundred feet to the second, or less
than one-tenth of the velocity of sound in
the air. Taking into account this time re-
quired for the transmission of sensation,
and the further time believed to be re-
quired for the invisible particles constitut-
ing the brain to take up the motions or
positions necessary for the completion of
consciousness, DR.. Tyndall estimates that if
whale, fifty feet long, were wounded in
the tail, one second and tenth would
elapse before it would become conscious of
the injury.


From these premises the deduction is
made that if an injury were inflicted which
would render the nerves unfit to be the
conductors of the motion which results in
sensation, no matter how severe the injury
might be, we should be unconscious of it.
Or it may be that long before the time re-
quired by the brain to complete the ar
rangement necessary to consciousness, its
power of arrangement might be wholly sus-
pended. In such case, even if the injury
were fatal, death would occur without feel
ing of any kind.


This is the most learned scientific view OF
the subject. 1t is supported by numerous
well-authenticated cases of persons who
have been struck senseless by lightning,
and, on their recovery, had no memory of
pain.


However, clear as this reasoning is, and
strong as the evidence seems to be, there
is, and necessarily must be, degree Of
mystery hanging over death, however oc.
casioned, which can never be fully dis
persed until we experience it ourselves. All
the testimony on this subject comes from
persons who have not died; none from
those who have. We have no witnesses
from beyond the grave. They are clothed
in an inpenetrable cloud, and whether they
be dumb or not, they are all speechless.
From them no word ever comes back to our
longing hearts and listening ear.
Year: 1877

The number of pieces required to finish
camels hair shawl is from five hundred to
four thousand. Often twenty men have
worked daily for twenty years in order to
finish first-class camel's hair shawl, the
highest average of wages being four cents
per day to the most skillful worker.


Fifteen thousand dollars in gold was paid
for watch chain and locket to jewelel
in Manchester, England They contain SAC
diamonds, and in the centre of the hook is
q stone of eleven karats. There are twenty
links to the chain, all of which are studded
with diamonds, and the locket contains the
monogram OF the owner.
Year: 1877

new Wflukle III sweeping SdrPets'


In all our experiments, we have found
uothing so safe and serviceable as moist
ened bran. Instead of stopping to clean
the broom every few minutes, sweeping
the carpets with bran not only cleans
the carpets, frees it almost entirely
from the dust, but keeps the broom
clean at the same time. 1t must be
moistened only enough to hold the par
ticles together. II too wet, there are
the same objections as to each of the
various ways above mentioned. 1t will
leave the carpet so damp that the dust
which will settle over it and will deface
the carpet more than it will clean it.
Besides, it makes the work much hard
er, because the bran becomes heavy
with much moisture. Distribute the
bran evenly over the floor, and then
sweep as usual. The bran scours or
cleans the whole fabric. Very little
little dust is made when sweeping with
it, and scarcely any settles after the
work is accomplished, because every
thread, bit of paper, lint or dust, is
gathered into the mass of bran that is
moved over the floor, and is so thor
oughly incorporated with it that it can
not be easily separated. Carpets swept
in this manner gather very little dust, as
will be plainly seen when they are taken
up for shaking. Mrs. H. w. Beecher.
Year: 1877

A curious but dangerous machine was
found in the coal bin of Sheriff Walls. at
Belfast last Sunday. II was small tin
box, resembling an ordinary gun-c~p box.
securely soldered together and loaded with
powder. la the top were three tubes with
gun caps on them, while TO the bottom as
soldered bar OF lead about four inches
long. The machine is said to be used on
some railroads as a signal In the night time
To prevent collision between a disabled
train and an approaching one. How il got
into the coal is Tot known, but the proba-
bilities are that it got into the cargo before
It was shipped To Maine.
Year: 1877

ENEMIES Have you onemies2 Go
straight on, and mind them not. If they
block up your path, walk around them, and
do your duty regardless of their spite A
man who has no enemies is seldom good for
anything; he is made Of that kind of mate
rial which is so easily worked, that every
one has hand in it. A sterling character
-one who thinks for himself, and speaks
what he thinks-is always sure to have en-
emies. They are as necessary to him as
fresh air; they keep him alive and active
a celebrated character, who was surroun-
ded with enemies, used to remark--"They
are sparks which, if you do not blow, will
go out of themselves" Let this be YOUR
feeling while cndeavorng to live down the
scandal Of those who are bitter against you.
If you stop to dispute, you do but as they
desire, and open the way for more abuse
Let the poor fellows talk; there will be a
reaction if you perform but your daty, and
hundreds who were once alenated from
you will flock to you and acknowledge their
error.--Aterander's Messenger.
Year: 1877

LISTENING TO EVIL REPORTS. The
longer L live, the more l feel the import
ance of adhering to the rule which l have
laid down for myself in relation to such
matters l. To hear as little as possible
whatever is to the prejudice of others. 9.
To believe nothing of the kind till am alb.
solutely forced to it. 3. Never drink into
the spirit of one who circulates an evil re.
port. 4. Always to moderate, as far as
can, the unkindness which is express d
towards others. 5. Always to believe chat,
if the other side were heard, very differ
ent account would be given of the matter.
Year: 1877

The TORTURE OF BEARING REINs.-
The severe bearing>rein, as used by coach
men generally, is nothing more nor less than
horrible and needless torture to tho poor
suffering horse-torturc while in harness
and the cause Of Internal maladies when he
Is put back ING his stall for food and sup
posed rest, slf1herc is one thing more op-
posed to nattrdi health than another it is
the increased production and then the waste
of the saliva which is so necessary to the
functionsssf the body. Who ever saw a
horse in a field foaming at the mouth p
Who ever saw properly bttcd huDter do
SO when ridden to hounds in an easy bit and
ohedient to light hand? 1 never saw it,
ndrde 1 think any one else has seen it !;
therefore, to begin with, the position of the
carriage horses head, gagged with (. bear
i6s;rSin outof place, and that profusion OF
saliva ever falling from the mouth, must
show something essentially. wrong The
perpetually tossing head arises from the
fevered state of the poor animal. and his
consequent attempts to get rid of &C irrta-
ting inAiction, and net from the vulgar idea
Of fiery Wishto be put in action. OF this
| am certain, that the less artificial constraint
you put into horses mouth the better
The less you cumbcr his graceful limbs with
lumber in the shape of harness the better.
The freer you keep his limbs and his respi.
ratory organs the longer he will serve you


and the greater will be the labor nc will per.
form for you. Grantley F. Berkeley.
Year: 1877

Curiosity in children is but an appetite
after knowledge. I doubt not but ono
great reason why many children abandon
themselves wholly to silly sports, and trife
away all their time insipidly is because they
found their curiosity banked, and their
inquiries neglected.
Year: 1877

WORKING LAND ON SHAREs.-Work-
ing land on shares seems to be poor bust
ness for both parties. 1t is to the interest
of the tenant to spend rs little for extra la
Dor as possible, because the owner Of the
lard gets half the benefit, without bcariug
any of the expense. When the country
was new and the land rich, man could,
perhaps, afford g give half +hr.oproaasts,
ashe could get fair crops with little Labor;
but now that the land is more or less run
down, and it is necessary to build it up with
manure and good culture, it is impossible
for man to expend tho necessary labor
and give half the produce for rent. 1t may
be done for year or two on land in high
condition but the farm must inevitably
dcteriorate under the system. a man might
afford to rent grass farm on shares, but
not an arabic farm. 1t is difficult to take
one of our ordinary run down farms and
raise enough from it, for the first few years,
to pay the cost of labor aud support the
teams. 1twould b" cheaper, SO far as i'm
mediate profit is concerned, topay one hun
dred dollars an acre for farm nhigh cSn-
dition. with good buildings and fences, than
to accept as a gift one Of these rundown
farms 1t is time this matter was under.
stood, so that those uneasy mortals who are
always expecting to sell, and consequently
make no efforts to keep up and improve the
land, should be compelled to turn over a
new leaf, or else dispose of their farms at
low figure. Ohio Farmer.
Year: 1877

He is said to be a bcnefactor to his race
who causes two blades of grass to grow
where but one grew bciorc;" this Icing
true, there are several. ways by which far
ne,s may secure tenfold production where
but meagre nutritious vegetation nov ap-
pears. Many ditch banks are now insight
ly from tangled briars and weeds; let !hese
be dug up and thrown ten or twelve yards
into the field and there burned then let the
bank of the ditch be thrown as far as cohvc-
nient with hoe and shovel towards the burnt
mass, and the next crop, with good cult
walton, will amply repay the labor, and leave,
for years to come, a garden spot of decided
beauty, verdure aud fertility up to the
sditcb's edge. 80. = - w.-,


Is there Hillside wash defacing your
field, fill it with decaying logs, bark, leaves
and straw, aud over all layer Of soil then
for water vent, dig a trench, placing the
dirt compactly on the lower side, descen-
ding the hill with as gradual slope as pos
sible, after which SO arrange your rows as
to allow the waters to pass off through this
trench with as little descent as may be-
In u little time the decaying debris will
make the ghastly chasm cheering view of
golden grain or snowy cotton, while the
conquering farmer will feel that he has not
only enhanced the value of, but beaut;Ged
his landscape and curbed the fierce torrents
to his will Is there dense forest border
ing your farm, whose searching roots eat
out the fertility of your fields far inland
Cut trench spades width and two feet
deep, bordering your fence-thus cutting
the roots-and next year aud years after
ward the crowning crops, abundant aud
thrifty, will look defiance at the forest and
its shade.


Now is good time to do these things,
and the reward in every instance will be
surc.-Southerm Farmer.
Year: 1877

He Wstses . Letter t0 the Tt mn any


Hall People ana OeMaads q Censti-


susssnal Amendments.


At the Tammany Hall celebration
in New York on the Fourth the fol-
lowing letter from Charles Francis
Adams was read:


QUINCY, June %, lS77.-Augustus
Schell Esq, Grand Sachem, Columbi-
an Order-Dear SIR: 1 have the
honor to acknowledge the reception
Of your letter inviting me to join your
society in the celebration of the 4th of
July. I regret very sincerely that it
will not be in my power to attend on
that occasion.


Whilst agreeing with you in many
of the opinions expressed in your let
ter, l pray your pardon if venture
to present to your attention one SUBJ
ject which seems to me of the most
vital importance to the future welfare
If not the very salvation of our insti-
tutions. The country must not be
subjected again to the risk of another
election accomplished by fraud, if the
evil can be removed by constitution
al means. The majority Of the peo-
pie have submitted once, to their
honor-but it will not be safe to risk
such another experiment. Some
amendment Of the provision of the
constitution on the subject seems in
dispensable during the present term
Of the presidency. I trust you will
not be slow TO insist that your repre-
sentatives and friends all over the
country shall see to it that ample time
and care be given IN good season to
the preparation of such measure as
may prove acceptable to all honest
people, when it becomes their duty to
act upon 1t in their turn. Above all
let there be left no chance for repeti-
ton of fraud. The corner stone OF
the arch must be dragged out of the
mud into which IL has settled, and
and placed ON an immov6ble rock. !
do not permit myself to donbt that
this 10 the earnest desire of all the
honest men of both parties. But to
you who have suffered the most by
consequences, it devolves to take es-
pecial care that they be not repeated.
You have the means Of remedy large
ly In your hands. pray you to see
to It in good season that they may be
made effectual to save us all from the
possibility of anarchy and strife.-
There is NO better day to give out the
word than on the Fourth of July.
Very truly yours,


CHARLES Francis ADAMS.
Year: 1877

Postmaster General Key has de-
cided that under the recent Civil
Service order of the President the
duties of the Post Master at Blossburg
Penn, will not permit him to be a
candidate for some petty Office in that
bailiwick, which moves the Inter
Ocean to make the following temper
ate remarks:


elias not Mr.. Key strained the
point little? Would not his con-
struction of official duty have re-
quired Governor Hayes to resign his
official position as soon as his nomin-
alton was announced? It seems that
q nomination for a Federal Office
would interfere with q State office
Just as much as q nomination for 1
State Office would interfere with q
Federal Office. There may be some
occult difference. If SO, will the Post.
master General please throw ligh,
on it ~
Year: 1877

Through our contributors to oul


Crop and Weather Bureau we have


been enabled to form reasonabl,


correct opinion rs to the condition Of


the crops throughout the West. W.


find that in the latitude of Southern


Illinois, for the most part the wealth


er has been too wet for corn since
planting time, thus causing much re-


planting to be done, rather q pool


stand at last, and the weeds in man,


places to get the start Of the vigilan
farmer. This condition extends from
Ohio to Kansas, though where far,


ners had taken the necessary precau'
tion te have good seed, saved in the
fall, and well drained land, re.
ceived but little damage from the ex.
cessive rains.


Of course meadows and pastures
have grown abundantly, so that with
proper weather to cure 1t, hay will
be plenty and stock do well. Small
grain, too, has made heavy growth,
and though reported to have never
looked better, it is in great danger of
rust. No doubt cool dry weather is
the best condition of climate to insure
the desired results of q bountiful har-
vest. Small fruits are abundant, but
apples generally reported below an
average, while peaches are failure
in some localities, and promise
fair crop in others.


The great danger which threatens
corn now is extreme dry weather
which may succeed the wet. The re-
peated heavy rains have tendency
TO break down the porosity of the
soil and leave it in such condition
as to be easily effected by drought
Corn roots do not venture down into
soil saturated with water, nor does
the plant send out the innumerable
tibrous roots that it does in the dry,
mellow loan. but they all lie near the
surface of the ground, comparatively
few in number and ready to be with
cred by fow scorching days Of
drought. Nothing but thorough un-
derdrainage and culture will obviate
these disastrous results.


North of this region above describ-
ed, the condition has been quite diff
ferent as to the amount Of rain which
fell during the spring months. Up to
a recent date The weather for the most
part was drv-even too much SO in
many localities through Michigan,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Northern
Illinois, but late rains have put the
crops in a fine growing condition
Frost did much damage to the corn in
Minnesota about June 10, and previ-
Gus cold weather throughout inter-
fcred more OF less in proportion to
the quality Of the seed planted, with
the stand of corn. The cold weather,
however, while it interfered very
much with the corn crop, had the re-
deeming quality of preparing the
way for an abundant crop Of the
small grains.


On the whole, though the "grass-
hoppers" have done some damage in
localities in Minnesota and Northern
Iowa, the outlook is encouraging,
unless some unforeseen disaster should
Western Rural.
Year: 1877

A Washington dispatch has the
following good news: "There 10 ex-
cellent authority for saying that the
emphatic protest from the West
against the pronounced contraction
policy of Secretary Sherman has
modified his views as TO expediency
Of pressing his plans, at least, 40 far
as they involve rapid retirement Of
legal-tenders. Those who conversed
with him previous to his departure
ON his summer vacation, represent
him as intimating that he might be
obliged to concede good deal to the
strong anti : contraction sentiment
which existed at the West among Z
large class Of Republicans"
Year: 1877

THERE is immense activity in the
Presidents Cabinet to prevent Fed.
eral officers from exercising a plain
constitutional right, belonging to
them in common with all other citi-
zens, if we are permitted to Judge
from the representations Of the Cab
met on the conduct of few office
holders in Iowa. Either I'll reports
are erroneous, or else oi!iccholders
who attended the recent Republican
State Convention as delegates, are
only saved from removal because
they were chosen delegates before the
Presidents order was issued, and
therefore they are excused for this
time.


There seems to be no question in
the minds Of certain Cabinet officers
as to their right to dictate to an Office
holder what part of his prerogatiyes
as an American citizen he shall exer-
else while an officer, but they are
equally clear that elections in certain
southern States may be made farce
of; the tread of armed thousands may
be heard upon the soil of state by
which the people are intimidatcd and
lawful governments overthrown
Chisholm families may be murdered
in cold blood to suppress freedom OF
political thought and action, and these
wise men at Washington declare tina,
they are powerless to interpose the
Federal arm to stop such conduct.


Singular enough though, while al
this is the situation within the ma
tion's borders, our troops arc sum
marily ordered to invade the soil Of
a contiguous sister Republic, to chase
down cattle thieves who cross ths
line and rob our people.


There may have been cases where
the parent undertakes to pacify de
fiant, wicked son, by laying tn,
stripes that belong to him upon hi
obedient sons; if so, all we have x
say is, that to a dead certainty, tn,
old man would end his career az de
serted of friends as the parche(
vast es Of Sahara are of water.
Year: 1877

BOWLING GREEN, July 1.-THE
body of Miss Benton, was found
near Point Olean lately with two bull
let holes in the head. A man named
stark was arrested On suspicion and
was taken by the mob and hung last
NIGHT
Year: 1877

Postmaster General Key forbids .
postmaster in Pennsylvania from be-
ing candidate for county treasurer.
He tells the p. NJ. that as he cannot
occupy the two Offices at the same
time, he cannot become candidate
for one while holding the other


That may be good civil service re-
form doctrine, but II is mighty hard
on the President, who held the Office
of Governor Of Ohio until within q
day or two of his Inauguration aa
President. Hayes should kick Key
out of his cabinet.-Hatckeye.