smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

There is = very common prejudice
against the toad. By many he is
looked on with loathing and disgust


He is regarded as an uncouth and


worthless nuisance, that should be
abated at sight. But this prejudice
is ill-fouuded and unjust, as the toad


is not only harmless, but quite use


full to farmers and gardeners. They
should, therefore, be regarded as
friends, instead of being treated as
enemies. The eggs Of the toad are


usually laid in the water, but at
times, when this is not accessible,
they are laid in damp, dark places. and
in such cases they do not pass through
the tadpole state. While in the tad
pole state they live on vegetable food,
but as toads they live on insects, spi.
dcrs, ETC., They are exceedingly we'll
adapted to catching insects, having
tongue Of marvellous construction. It
is quite long. aud may be projected
six or eight inches, the tip Of it being
SO directed as to just reach the object,
and being covered with viscid, gum.
my substance, that causes the insect to
adhere to it, it is thus conveyed to
the mouth Of the toad and buried
alive. The movements of the tongue
in thus taking in fly or a bug are so
rapid that they cannot be followed by
the eye. The number Of insects that
a toad will eat is almost Incredible
A few Of them in garden will keep
it well rid of bugs, plant-lice. etc


They generally spend the day in some
dark. secluded spot. often a hole under
a sod or clod or the side of a rock.
aud in the evening they come out and
hop about in search of supply Of
live insects. They may be induced to
take mp there residence in the garden
by confiuing them for two or three
days to the place when they I'll be.
come quite we'll contented A board
laid about two inches from the ground
is just the kind of hiding place that
suits them. They are long lived, be.
ing often known twelve to sixteen
years old. and it is said one lived to
be 36 years old. On account Of their
propensity for DESTROYING insects, toads
should be encouraged to become per.
maneut residents Of our fields and
gardens.-(L. j. T. in Ohio Farmer.
Year: 1877

SEED CoRN.-We do not appre


hend that the west will suffer from
want of seed corn this spring, from the
fact that last fall was SO favorable that
most if not al the corn had fully reach.
ed maturity before the frost reached
rs; but there is one way that the far
rner can always tell whether bis seed
corn is good or not. It is very simple.
Let him take average kernels open
and examine the chit or germ and if
oy pressing it emits an oily substance.
1t IL good and will grow. On the
others hand, If the chit or whatever
It Is called is soft aud dark and does
not contain an oily matter, it will not
grow, because the germ is dead.-r
Farmers Union. :
Year: 1877

During the Legislative discussions
Of the new Mortgage foreclosure law
it was made to appear that the from
tier Counties would be, chiefly, af:
fected, for the reason, that more mort
cages existed. We notice that in
Mower County there are over City
foreclosures. That County would
scarcely be regarded as on tho frontier
but it seems to be affected.
Year: 1877

The Louisiana Commission is ex.
pected to report during the latter part
Of this week. Serious difficulties have
arisen that impede the progress Of the
compromise business but, it is proba-
bic that the matter will end very
much as the South Carolina case end
ed.
Year: 1877

In allowing Insurance Commissioner Sted-
man to remain in office Governor Hubbard Is
scandalously negligent Of the duty he has
sworn TO diseharge.-[New Haven Palladium


The true remedy Is TO abolish the Insurance
department and TO sweep the commissioner
out with the rest Of the rubbish II he does
not voluntarily vaeate. The evil will never
be abated while State supervision. so-ealled,
maintain bold on life.
Year: 1877

The other night a woman out on South Hill


was sewing In her room, when she was some


denly fill with non=explosive kerosene oil.
She felt that she had occasion to go out into
the air, and, as the evening was cool, she
wrapped window sash around her delicate
form and strolled through the front fence,
passing, "Fire" The remark attracted his
attention. and In the course of the evening he
repeated it to several Of his neighbors and
aeauaintanees, and their curiosity led them
Ions OF water on the best carpets and fufni-
tule. The place Is now illuminated nightly
with talow candies Burlington Hawkeye.
Year: 1877

A little steamboat has just made the run
between Baltimore and New York, being pro-
PEELED the entire distance between the two
cities without wheel or screw. She is called
the Alpha, and in outward appearance re-
sembles the tug boats which ply in the har-
bor. Her length is forty-three feet, beam 1O9
and depth about eight feet. She is supplied
with a sixteen-horse power tubular boiler,
which drives a pump. From the pump to the
stern and bow of the vessel are lines of pipe,
which strike the water about three feet below
the surface. The pump drives through each
pipe q Inch stream, which enters the wa
ter through a a-inch nozzle. With sixty
pounds of steam the pump makes $50 strokes
a minute. each stroke driving stream into
the outer body of water. The invention is the
result of many years Of study, and it is as
serted that it can be applied to Ocean steam
ships with success. In moving through the
water there is no ripple astern, and but slight
displacement perceptibie except at the bow.
By shutting off the discharge at the stern
pipes and forcing the water through the bow
pipes, the boat is backed. And by using one
bow pipe and one stern pipe she can be turn
ed in her own length. The propelling power
can also be used alternately as levers, on the
principle of the oar The boat consumes but
quarter of a ton OF coal per day, and is con-
sidered to be we'll adapted for use on the
canals
Year: 1877

A South-Side mail-carrier had considerable
trouble in getting the usual summons at the
doorway of a fine mansion on his route ans
wered promptly. Sometimes he would be
obliged to ring the door-bell many times and
wait a number of minutes before any one
would appear to receive the mail. The carrier
expostulated with the lady of the house, and
said that he could not be kept waiting so long
at her door. She replied: g. If knew just
when it was you that rang the bell l would
come down Immediately. l thought it was
my husband. +" ''Well, replied the letter car
rier, II will ring the bell twice when leone,
and by that you will know it's rne. The lady
mused a moment and then said softly "That
won't do, for have friend who calls, and
we have arranged exactly that very signal. =
MSlao1ukee Sentinel.
Year: 1877

Judge Pitman has habit of slipping his
watch under his pillow when he goes to bed.
The other night, somehow, it slipped down,
and, as the Judge was restless, it gradually
worked it's way downward toward the foot of
the bed. After a bit, while he was lying
awake, his foot touched it, and it felt very
cold. He was surprised and scared, and
jumping from bed, he said:


''By gracious, Maria, there's toad, or
snake, or something under the covers. |
touched it with my foot"


Mrs. Pitman gave q loud scream, and was
out on the floor in an instant


s.Now don't 60 to hollering and waking up
the neighbors," said the Judge. ''You go
and get me broom or something, and we'll
fix the thing mighty quick


Mrs. Pitman got the broom and gave It to
the Judge. with the remark that she felt as ii
snakes were creeping all up and down her
legs and back.


the covers slowly, while hold the broom
and bang it. Put bucket of water along
side the bed, too, SOS we can shove It in and
drown it,


Mrs. Pitman fixed the bucket end gently
broom uplifted, and, as soon as the black
ribbon of the watch was revealed, he cracked
away three or four times with his broom.
Then he pushed the thing off into the bucket.
Then they took the bucket to the light to in
vestigate the matter. When the Judge saw
what it was, he said:


Il might have known that. Just like you
women, to 90 searching and fussing about
nothing. Who's going to pay me for that
watch !? It's utterly ruined"


'.It was you that made the fuss, not me"
said Mrs. P. "You needn't try to put the
blame off on me-


30, hush up and 60 to bed. Tn tired of
hearing you blather. Blame me if amt 60
ing to get divorce and emigrate.'
Maria until he fell asleep.
Year: 1877

remove the necessity Of building the
Seattle and Walla Walla road. But we
need not expect any help from Oregon
in the latter enterprise. We have got to
build that road Oursclvcs-te Western
and Eastern Washington has got to shoul.
der the load themselves; or at least enlist
outside aid to do it for them. What is
needed, isa few public spiritedmen to
AXE hold of the matter in earnest, be
willing to sacrifice little, and not ex.
rect to become millonaires in few years
through management OF the enterprise.
II will probably have to be done with
out government aid. State aid might
help it if we were state


Our resources are sufficient to warrant
the investment of the necessary capital
required to build and operate it. We
have greater number of those vast
natural resources. that tend to build up
great lines of railway trahc, with their
requisite branches, than are to be found
within the same area OF territory any
where in the United States. There is
idle capital enough on the Pacific Slope
to do it.


II capitalists could be brought to see
these things in the light that every
thinking resident of this territory views
them, the work would be commenced
and pushed through in less than two
years. Look at the money invested in
timber lands in Western Washington.
What is this but locked up capital, vast
reserve funds of these mammoth mill
companies. Would not similar amount,
invested in this much needed road place
the enterprise in such shape as to en-
sure its success2 And would it not pay
higher rate of interest than the pres.
ent investment in wild timber lands.


All the available capital of the coast is
invested in timber. There is enough
left to build two or three such roads,
with the help, the starting of such en-
terprises would soon receive from foreign
capital. And the capital can be unlock
ed and made available by making its
holders see that the enterprise is some-
thing more than the bantllng of an idle
dreamer's biain, or wildcat specula-
tion. Capitalists have been burned so
many times with salted mines, sham
railroads, wildcat banks and bogus fac
tories that they take hold of investments
with caution. When they see safety
they will invest. Our greatest want is a
road across the mountains and to Port
land. Give us those and population,
manufactures, mining, commerce, wealth
and PROSPERITY will he sure to follow.
Year: 1877

The Turcnrora Mining Reriero OF Sat
urdny says: Tho postmaster Mt this
place has received notice that in few
days oil mail matter arriving from and
departing for tho west will DO carried
by the way Of Battle Mountain, in
order that it may reach points west Of
here ut tho shortest possible time.
Year: 1877

IToUR OF THE BEST LOTS IN THE UPPER
II town are offered for sale at a very low
figure. They lie together forming one-half
block, are entirely clear OF stumps and stones
and command one Of the finest views Of the
bay and surrounding country to be had from
this office. a
Year: 1877

DowY-EAsr BREAD.--One and one
half pints sweet and very fresh
milk, luke-warm; three tablespoon
tuls yeast in the milk, scant
teaspoonlul soda if the yeast is sweet, a
full tcaspoonful if tits at all sour, and a
little salt; add -four while ii stirs easily,
and little flour on top at last, to pre-.
vent the cloth from sticking cover and
set it it in a moderately warm place to
rise over night. One pint of milk makes
large loaf, and half pint makes dozen
biscuits In the morning roll your bis
cults and cut them, then place before the
fire to rise bali hour before bak-
ing. Allow your loaf after il is in the
pan to rise from half hour to one hour,
iuming it round so that i may rise
egoniy Thisrsnclpr IS equally good ior
MAaM bread
Year: 1877

which the youth OF India are 50 hungry


but none can doubt thIt 1t is becoming
an increasingly important agency for
disintegrating Brahmanism and abolish
ing the old idolatry with its related evils
Year: 1877

Suffer little children and forbid them not, 'me unto me; for of euch is the kingdom saVens-MATT., XIX IA. When the dark and gloomy shadow Fell upon our loved one's brow, And we saw the life cord breaking,

 And the death dart piercing low; How we tried to keep our darling.

 Tried to strengthen the cord again; Tried so hard to pull the arrow.

 But our trying was in vain. And our loved one passing from us,

 Told us palmer than words could tell, That an angel came from heaven,

 From Him ''who doeth all things we'll" And he took our Emma with him,

 Took her to the "other shore" Placing her among the jewels,

 There to rest forevermore. And her little feet will batter

 Lightly along the ''street of gold" And she'll know the love of Jesus.

 A half of which was never told. And beside the crystal river,-

 Flowing out before the throne. She will stand and beckon to us,

 Beckon dear and loved ones home. And we know that she'll be waiting,

 When this weary life is o'er, Watching; and the fret to greet us,

 As we reach the pearly door. And though life may aeem so weary, Darkened by the cloud of death; Clouds of sorrow lowering OCT us,

 With no sunlight underneath; Yet we'll not complain or murmur,

 For we're looking far above. Clouds of sorrow cannot reach us,

 When we reach that world of love.
Year: 1877

FIRE Ar SEA.-The regular Charleston steamer Gulf Stream, Captain Crowell, left that port on Wednesday last loaded with cotton. She got up with Sandy Hook at about 5:3o on Saturday evening, when the cargo was discovered to be on fire. The hatches were at once battened down, and no alarm was given, the passengers remain ing in ignorance of the danger. The steam pumps were got to work and the ship was flooded, all haste meanwhile being made to reach the city. After the passengers had been safely landed, stream from the dock hydrant was turned on the fire and it was extinguished. A number of bales of cot ton were burned and many more were in jured by water. The fire was in the after hold, and had probably been burning from the time the steamer left Charleston,
Year: 1877

What will be said of me

 When laid upon my bisrs Will 1t be said, the honored head In peace lies resting here. Have l a friend to weep

 Around the humble spot, Where my remains.shall sleep - My name be soon forgots Toll not the fare well bell,

 My last adieu to tell; A sigh would be knell,

 Far, far more dear. Let some friend place flower Above my lonely bed, To tell that I'm remembered yet, Tho sleeping with the dead. GREAT HARRINGTON, Mass.
Year: 1877

hin just now, he only shook his head.


He did not mean TO deny it, | dare saw,


said the prior; but he never speaks. Fra
Dominique has taken a vow of eternal
silence" Here Charles Lisle brought
bis story to a conclusion. "How extreme
ly shockingr' exclaimed Lady Aramnta,
whilst the whole company agreed that
he had made out an excellent excuse for
wishing to sleep with his door locked
and that he had very satisfactorily enti-
tied himself to the promised exchange.
Year: 1877

/ CTdtlC party. NJ muu living hao o"
thority to quote me for such purpose. 1
would sooner lose my right than do
anything to endanger the supremacy of
the Republican party. If voting for
Gen. NJ. c. Buler, because he is honestly
and truly elected, is to destroy the Re-
publican party, God knows it ought to
be destroyed very soon. The Republi-
can party cannot be affected by ques-
tion of right. The seating of Gen. NJ.
q. Butler makes but one more Demo-
cratic vote on the opposite side Of the
chamber, and it is not my fault the case
of Kellogg is not before the Senate, and
that his case was not voted on before
the case of Butler was brought up. l
had no control over that matter. If it
had been left with me would not have
brought up this resolution; but it. is
here, and stand here to represent the
people of South Carolina. When L
vote for Gen. Butler 1 know l am vio-
ting to carry out the will and wish of
the people whom have the honor to
represent on this floor, if they believe
he was elected. The courts have decided
that the legislature which elected him
is legal and lawful body, and am
bound to obey their mandates; and 1
propose to do it. Some people affect
surprise at my vote. There is not
Senator on this side of the chamber
hnt
lished all summer that / would vote for
the admission of Butler. When the
legislature met under the call of Gov.
Hampton, on the oath of April, 1877, l
was at Columbia; the Chamberlain
government had vanished. Whose
fault was that? 1 think there are
some gentlemen who stood by the Pres
ident and who advised the President to
commit what think was the greatest
blunder of his administration, and that
was to remove the troops from the
State house in South Carolina.
fought that policy as long as could,
and wish / could have continued to
fight it until this day; but was stricken
down and my party went down with
me. My friends assembled in Column
bia after the legislature was organized
and took their advice upon this ques-
tion.


Patterson's concluding remarks were
but repetition of the foregoing, and
his argument proved but a weak effort
to justify his acting with the Demo-
Gratis in seating Butler.


Conover also spoke at length, vindi-
eating his action.


After some filibustering the Senate
went into executive session.


On reopening the doors, the Senate,
after making the Butler case the special
order for / O'Clock tomorrow, ad-
ionrned
Year: 1877


alive with vehicles of every kind, and
the people are engaged in the work of
removal. The waters from the region
Of Lynchburg are showing an effect on
the river here, which is now rising at
the rate of IS inches to two feet per
hour, If this continues till morning,
which is now probable, the water will
be higher than during the flood of 1870.
The extreme lower portion of the city
is already submerged, and the water is
now running into the dock along the
south south side of the city. 1t has
also reached seventeenth street, and is
now within few feet of the First mar
ket on Main street,
Year: 1877

Mortality statistics, showing the aver
age duration Of life among persons Of va
rious glasses, are often faulty. In Mas
sachusetts such figures are more carefully
and accurately obtained than almost
anywhere else; and the following table
is the result Of very recent Investigation
in that state:
Year: 1877


THE GRACE CHURCH DIFFICULTY AGAIN DIS


cUssED.


An adjourned meeting of tho Brooklyn Presbytery
was held yesterday afternoon In the Second Presby
terrain Church, Clinton street, Rev. Richard Love,
Moderator The report OF the committee appointed by
the Presbytery at Its last meeting. held June 25. 10
consider aud advise action upon several papers in
the hands OF the Presbytery introduced In It's
regular order. 1t set forth each particular paper
on which tho committee had to act all Of which
were concerning The difficulties In Grace
Church. The committee in their report refused
to entertain The protest by certain men Of Grace
Church against the action OF former COMMITTEES, hold
lug that the language OF the protest was not decent
aud respectful, and that II contained offensive refcc.
against me judcatory whose decision II calls in
question. The committee also refused 10 entertain
the certain nibers OF the Presbytery hold
ing That that body exercised power not invested in
IL IN ignoring rights OF the of church,
H. beiny the Judgment OF SAID Committee that the
Presbytery had full and undoublcd constitutional
right according TO the ,o Law rs. aud pre-.
further set forth that taken the whole the
action Of the first committee appointed inquire
was found, however, that two important things had
beon Lett of the report OF the church committee,
that body failing to meaton them because they did
not consider them so The first was the communica.
ton on May 20 the session OF tho church Of the
opinion OF the committee that there was NO reason
why the former stated supply whose resignation they
had accepted on May 20 should not preach for them
II so DESIRED ana the publication on June Of de-
fence vindcatlon Of Grace Church IN answer TO an
anonym nous article OF June g. Tley also find that
former committee erred in accepting the resignation
OF the without allowing 1t to 10 brought
before the Sunday school, ne requested. The pres
ent committee recommend that the report OF the rst
co mittee be referred back thai committee for
lightcnment After q long ana animated discussion
tions and further hearing of the set down
for the regular all meeting OF tho Prosbytery After
transactng iurtner routine business the Presby
terry adjourned.
Year: 1877

mischievous little Israelite yesterday afternoon
amused himself by stirring up nest OF peaceful bees
that occupy show window on Broadway, but In loss
time than takes to tell tho story he paid for his
temeriiy. Thoy literally bounced him, and as he
dashed down the street, bat In hand and yelling lkc
frightened Comanchc the busy exemplars OF industry
"who improve each shining hour, &c, were making
mad headway around hts curly head. The passing
crowd, too, for the moment found 1t convenient TO
give the exasperated hive wide berth 1t is only a
lew days ago that farmer died from the sting upon
his OF a single bee, and II Is well enough Tor thr
public TO be cautious in such dangerous presence.
Year: 1877

Kate Mclaughlin was remanded TO jail by Justice
RELY yesterday to await sentence upon conviction of
cruei treatment Of her stopdaughter Mary McLaugh-
lin The child who is ten years DID, driven from
home alter receiving terrible beating, and her case
brought under the attention OF the Society or the
Prevention Of Cruelty TO Children, who caused the
rest OF the cruel stepmother.
Year: 1877

AMUSING ExPERiNENT.-Take sheet
OF stiff writing paper and told it into a
tube an inch in diameter. Apply il
to the right eve and look steadfastly
through it, focusing the eye on any con-
,enient object. Keep the left eye open.
Now place the left hand, held palm up
wards. edgeways againstthe side OF the
paper tube and about an inch or tw above
its lower end. The astonishing efiec,
will be produced Of hole, apparently
of the size of the cross section of the
tube, made through the left hand
This is the hole in which we propose ,o
materialize another aud smaller hole.-
As We need a genuine aperture and il
would be iuconvenient to make one in
the. lief, hand, leta sheet OF " hite paper be
substituted therefore and similarly held
Just at the part OF the paper where the
hole, equaling in diameter the orifice oi
the tube, appears, make an opening 4
quarter Of an inch IN diameter. Now
stare intently into the tube, and the Sc.
cond hole, defined by its difference OF
illumination, will be seen floating in the
first hole. and yet both will be transpa-
rent. The illusion, for, OF course, j, is
one Of those odd pranks our binocular
vision plays upon US, is certainly one OF
the most curious ever devised. Besides,
here is the actual hole clearly visible,
and yet there is no solid body TO be seen
to define its edges. 1t is not a mere
spot of lioht hecause IL q naoe of nr,n.
be regarded, the lines within the boun.
daries Of the little hole will not coincide
at all with those surrounding it and ex-
tending tothe edges Of the large appa-
rent aperture. Each eve obviously
transmits an entirely different impress
sion to the brain, ami that organ, una
bic 10 disentangle them, lands us in that
palpable absurdity Of a materialized
hole.-Wusfrated Weekly.