smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

Mr.. Edison has stumbled upon some
thing new that puzzles and confounds
him. For weeks he and his men have
been at work in his workshop at Menlo
Park, N j., to perfect the electric gen.
orators to supply the new electric light.
The lamp is completed, and the meter
to measure the amount of electricity
used is nearly finished. The generator
has now to be perfected, and then the
world will see the light that has worried
the holders of gas stock 30 long. Iu the
course of this study the great inventor
has run upon something which he thinks
is new force, unknown to science. He
thus speaks Of it.:


While we weIe experimenting with
the electric light the other night, got
some more indications of the presence OF
some subtle, evasive force that 1 could
not call electricity or anything else with
which we are acquainted. would de-
scribe it as a new radiant force, lying
somewhere between light and heat on
one hand and magnetism aud electricity
on the other. On bringing a magnet
toward the electric light, which was then
radiating only heat, the magnet became
charged with this What-do-you. call-it,
so that it emitted a spark in the dark.
Some of the points which go to show
that it is not electricity are that it does
not respond to any of the physical tests
of electricity except the spark. It pro.
duces no physiological effects like cleo.
tricity save on the frog. 1t gives no evi'
dence of polarity. 1t passes through
the air and other resistances by large
surface at the terminals, even when the
apparatus is not insulated, and wher
connected with the earth or walls of q
room it can yet be drawn of from the
conductor"


Edison is not positive that "what-do
you-call-it" is new force, for it might
be some curious manifestation OF cleo
tricity, under conditions not understood
and he modestly expresses the wish tina
some ambitious students" would tax,
hold Of it and solve the problem.
Year: 1879

Partly owing to the severe weather
and partly to the general badness Of
the times, there is at present great dis
tress throughout Switzerland. In
Geneva alone six thousand people are
reported to be out of work.
Year: 1879

A young artist has painted the pic
ture of dog under a tree, and the
work is so artistically done that none
but the best connOisseurs can tell the
bark OF the tree from that of the dog.
Year: 1879

John and Ann Thompson celebrated.
their golden wedding in Baltimore two
years ago, both being of the same age.
The other day Ann died of a paralytic
stroke while at dinner, while John was
stricken with paralysis at supper, and
died on the day set for his wife's funeral,
so that both were buried at once.
Year: 1879

William Coleman, tramp, went into a
New York tailor shop and begged a
scrap of cloth to mend his rags. He was
told to sit down by the stove, did so,


went to sleep, and woke up with howl
of pain. A playful tailor had burned
him with hot iron. In the special
sessions the playful tailor was fined $25.
Year: 1879

1.-THE Finger of God, is the heading
of n local note in the NOupeGu Monde
OF Montreal. Gabriel Cloutier, a pious old
man, deemed it his duty to chastise for
intemperance his two grown-up daugh-
ters. The girls, however, chastised
him and his mother, and one of them
severely bit the third finger Of his right
hand. Next day he took out warrant
for them, but when he and the police-
men arrived at the factory where the
girls work it was found that the one who
bit him had just had the third finger OF
her right hand taken off by machine.
The policeman was dismissed, for the
old man said that he saw in this curious
coincidence that the finger of God had
been laid in punishment upon the prin-
cipal offender.
Year: 1879

Every intelligent person should know now
to ascertain the state of the pulse in health
then by comparing it with what it was
when he was ailing, he may have some idea
of the case. Parents should know the nealth
pulse of each child, as now and then per-
son is born with remarkably slow or fast
pulse, and the very case in hand may be
of that peculiarity. An infants pulse is
40, child Of seven years about so; and
from twenty to sixty years it is 70 beats a
minute declining to 60 at fourscore A
beautiful grown persons pulse beats 20
times a minute, I here may be good health
down to sixty; but if the pulse exceeds
seventy there is a disease. The machine is
working itself out there is fever and in
fammation somewhere, and the body is
feeding on itself-as in consumption, when
the pulse is quick, that is over sixty, gradu-
ally increasing with decreased chances of
cure untll it reaches 10 or 100, when death
comes before many days. When the pulse
is over seventy for months, and there is a
slight cough, the lungs are affected.
Year: 1879

A sense of duty often causes some ludi-
crous .mistakes, as the following story will
illustrate Near Dumfries lived a pious fam
lily who had adopted an orphan who was
regarded as hali-witted. lie had imbibed
strict views on religious matters, however,
and once asked his adopted mother if she
did not think it wrong for the people to
come to church and fall asleep, paying no
better regard to the service She replied
she did Accordingly before going to
church next Sunday, be filled his pockets
with apples, One bald headed old man,
who invariably went to sleep during the
sermon, particularly attracted his attention,
Seeing him at last noddng and giving nasal
evidence of being in the land of dreams, .
he struck the astounded sleeper blow with
an apple on the top of his bald plate. The
minister and aroused congregation at once
turned around and gazed indignantly at the
boy, who merely said to the preacher, az be
took another apple in his hand, with So
Der, honest expression of countenance; you
preach I'll keep 'em awake
Year: 1879

1t is not an uncommon thing to hear
young men complain that their early school
ing was deficient in quantity, poor in quail
ty, or If nei tEer Of the, e,e-wasted through
boyish iudifl erence and folly. They would
get on better in life if they knew more, they
are free to admit, but they do not see that
they are daily wasting opportunities which
if improved, would in few years give them
a fairly good education. They think them
selves too old to learn, and spend more time
regretting their lack of knowledge than
wonld suffice to give them the knowledge they
need, 1t is said that the father of Pro fessor
Sumner, Of Yale College, could neither
write nor read when he came to this country
young English mechanic Within twenty
years thereafter he was kn own as one of the
best read men in Hartford, one of the most
cultivated comm unites in the country. In
stead Of wasting bis time in idle regrets for
his deficient schoo ling, he learned to read,
and read to good purpose, In similar wsy
many of the best, most honored, and most
successful men our country has known
have begun their acquaintance with letters
after reaching manhood and there is no
reason why the most illiterate mechanic in
our land, if possessed of natural ability and
sincere purpose, may not increase his en-.
joyment in life, his opportunities for i'm
proving his social aud financial condition
and the chances for his iarily, for the high
est success in life, by an honest effort to re-
trieye by study the disadvantages by which
early poverty or lack Of educational oppor-
tunities has surrounded him. Scientific
american.
Year: 1879




Whence all but he had fled


and the inspiring tale Of -


Chow Horatius held the bridge


In the brave days of old"


we bespeak place for Bobby Casey the
faithful and intrepid mail carrier of Mon.
tana. Casey carried what is known as the
| horseback mail, but which is, in fact, car
ried by two-whoeled vehicle like sulky,
| from Sun River to the Twenty eight Mile
| Springs. On the 9th ulimo he started
| from the former place. There was binding
snow storm at the time, and the track across
the prairie was wholly lost. As he did not
reach the end of his drive at the appointed
time it was assumed that he had lost his
way; and this theory proved to be well
| founded. There were not wanting brave
men both at Helena and Sun River to un-
dertake the search for the missing man but
their most arduous efforts were in vain. On
the Sd ult, William Rowe reached Benton
and was informed Of the circumstance The
weather was fePrfuIly cold but this did not
deter him from the attempt that humanity
dictated Mounted on a horse be set FORTH
and in due time found a dim track, where it
seemed probable that Casey had left the
main road. Following this his labors were
rewarded on the G.b by finding The driver
about twenty miles north of Twenty-eight
Mile Spring. When Casey was found he
was sitting in his cart, which the horse was
drawing slowly and painfully along He
was in doze, anl Mr.. Rowe shouted to him
once or twice before he was reused to con-
sciousuess. /. was then found that his right
foot and leg were frozen nearly TO the knee
and that his left foot was in the same condi-
ton. 1t Is believed that his injuries are not
serious, and that he will not suffer the loss
Of either limb


Iii. story r,s.. ,on told and with his roc.
o!lect,on OF nj, rxperience. and what Mr.
Rowe learned in his search the tale is won
derful beyond fiction The driver had been
wandering over that trackless nrairie for ten
Year: 1879

Belle and Lucy returned home with that
conscious air of subdued triumph and inn
portance peculiar to engaged young ladies.
Having attained the end and aim of their
existence, there was nothing further for them
to hope or expect. From henceforth they
were to impose upon their laurels, floating
down the stream Of life with no thought or
care for anything but the present enjoyment.


Bellies capture was Wall street broker,
owning fabulous amount on paper. Lucys
was the son of millionaire, whose sole am
bition seemed to be to spend as quickly as
possible the money that his father had la
bored so hard to acquire They made no
attempt to disguise their surprise and disdain
when they heard of Josie's modest conquest.


Only farmerp shifted Mrs. Wilson.
Never did | dream that one of my daught.
ers would stoop to that But, suppose.
if you have your fathers approval you don't
care for mine


OF course, you cant expect US to visit
you, said Belle, loftily. The connections of
Charles Augustus are all of the highest and
most aristocratic character, and it couldn't
be thought Of


Certainly not echoed Lucy. "A wife has
to take the position of her husband, which
is something that you had better think Of


Josie had thought of it, and very happy
thoughts they were, too.


The financial disasters of the three years
that followed made quite change in the
surroundings of all the above, with the ex.
ception of josie and her husband.


Out of the wreck Of Mr. Wilson business
nothing was left but the honor and integrity
which shone all the more brightly from the
temporary gloom that shrouded him. His
wife took their altered fortunes very hardly
fairly fretting and worrying herself into the
grave, where she was laid few months af.
ter Penniless and untitled for anything
higher, the husbands of Belle and Lucy were
glad to accept positions, one as conductor on
city car, the other a third-rate clerkship


Josie does not see much of her sisters. but
many barrel of apples and crock of butter
find their way to them from the Manning
farm. Almost every pleasant afternoon
gray-haired, placid-looking old man can be
seen on the Western piazza of the farm
house, frequently with a grandchild on eth.
er knee. 1t is Mr. Wilson, who often thanks
God that one of his daughters married "only
a farmer"
Year: 1879

INCREASE THE LAY.--A correspondent in
forms us that while on a visit in the fall to
a friend he was surprised to see the number
or eggs he daily obtained, He had but six
teen hens and the product per diem averaged
thirteen eggs. He had been in the habit of
giving on every alternate day teaspoonful
and quarter Of cayenne pepper, mixed with
soft food, and took care that each hen OBJ
tanned her share. The experiment of omit
ting the pepper was tried, when it was
found that the number Of eggs were reduced
each trial from five to six daily. Our cor
respondent belyes that the moderate use of
this stimulant not only increases the number
of eggs, but efectually wards off diseases to
which chickens are ubject.-ErcAaage.
Year: 1879

Notwithstanding the demand Tor laOOrers
in nearly every department OF work through
out the whole country, the man with the pit
| iful tale of misfortune and adversely is still
numerously on the road, and refuses to be
| put to work by the boom of growing bust.


ness. The few men among the tramps with


industrious instincts have long since dropped


out and gone to work. None remain now


but the professional beggar and dead beat,


and with the honors and emolumen,s to that
class belonging they should be treated
promptly, etfectually and, if necessary, re-


peatedly. The horde of brutes in human
shape-debased and debauched by all the


vices known to vicious age, is now lining
the country roadways heading for the larger
cities, and in their march all their beastliness
and brutality is shown in maby ways.


The time has come when an end should
suddenly be put to feeding these tramping
idlers from back doors. There is work in the
land for every man who will have it, and
all the pitiful tales that are told with fearful
eyes are but the work of men lying for
''hash." The bat,alionized pauperism should
now be ended, and ended permanently. The
farming population of this country, or the
female inmates Of its homes have been kept
in nameless terror of this scourge; terror &C.
casioned by most terrible exhibitions of lust
and murder, robbery and outrage. We say
that the time has come when the farmers
barns and stacks should no longer be the
stolen refuge OF the lazy ruf6ans, pilfering
where they cannot beg, and taking forcibly
what is either possible or desirable. The
demagogues who have nursed and nurtured
these willing criminals, should take heed to
the lesson of prosperity and cease their lying.
malicious whining, for their time will be
worse than wasted-fOr it will be criminal
encouragement to men who need none to
continue in their shameless, vagabondish,
brigandish attempt at life.
Year: 1879

On greenly and feir in the lands of the sun
The nes If the gourd and the rich melon run,
And the rO k and the tree and the cottage fOe.
With broad leaves III ereenneSs and blossoms all god
Like thar which DER Ninevehs p Ophtt once grew
While he wait. d to know at his warnin, true,
And onged for the storm cloud, and listened in vain
For the rush OF the WhrlWind and red tire OF rain,
On the banks O Xerid the dark Spanish maiden
Comes up with the fruit of The tangled vine laden;
And the Creole of Cuba laughs out to behold
Through orange lc YES shining the I'd spheres OF


gold


Yet with dearer delight from his home in the North,
On the fields of his harvest the Yankee looks forth,
Where the crooknecks are coiling and yellow fruit
And the sun Of September melts down on his vines.
All! on Thanksgiving day when from East and from
From Nor h and from South, come the pilgrim and
When the gray haired New Englander eees round his
The old. broken links of affection restored;
When the care wearied man seeks his mother once


more, . .
And the worn mat.on smiles where the girl smiled
What tens the lip and what brgt tens the eye.
What calls back the past like the rich pumpkin pie
Oh! fruit loved of boyhoood! the old days recalling
When wood grapes were purping and brown nuts


Were falling;


When Wild ugly faces we carved in its skin.
Glaving out through the dark with candle within;
When we laughed round the corn heap, with hearts


all in time,


Our chair broad pumpkin, our lantern thu moon,
Telling tales OF the fairy who travelled like steam
In pumpkin shell coach with two rats for team.
Then thanks for thy present! None sweeter or bet


ter


Fer smoked from an oven or circled platter
Faircr hands never wrought at pastry more fine;
Brighter eyes never ched DER its baking than thine
And the prayer which my mouth is too full to express
Swells my heart that thy may never grow less;
That the ays of thy lot may be heightened below
And the fame of thy worth like the pumpkin vine


grow


And thy life be as sweet. and its last sunset sky
Golden tinted and fair as thy own pumpkin pie.
Year: 1879

The population of Leadyille is said to be
made up principally of young men, very few
middle aged or old men being found in the
camp. The population of Yankee Fork is
composed almost entirely of middle-aged en
and men in the youth of old age. They are
nearly all old. timers. Nine-tenths of them
have be en- following mining excitement from
twenty to thirty years. 1t is something unu-
sual to meet man under thirty-fve years of
are . .. lsGsse ..
Year: 1879

rights, this ruthless seizure of un.
lawful power that the Democratic
party holds the popular branch OF
Congress to-day and will in less than
ninety days have Control Of this
body also, thus grasping the entire


legislative department. Of the Gov
ernment through the unlawful cap.
ture of the Southern States. If the


prescribed vote of the South were
cast as its lawful owners desire, the


Democratic party could not gain


power. Nay, if it were not counted


on .he other side against the in


stincts and the interests, against the
princip es and the prejudices of its


lawful owners Democratic success


would be hopeless. 1t is not enough,


then for modern Democratic tactics


that the negro vote shall be silenced
the demand goes farther and insists


that it shall be counted on their side,


that all the Representatives in Con.


gress and all the Presidential elect


ors appoltioned by reason of the ne.


gro vote shall be so cast and so gov.


erned as to insure Democratic sue.


cess-regardIess of justice, in def,


ance af law.


And this injustice is wholly un-


provoked. | doubt if it be in the


power of the most searching investi.


CATION to show that in any Southern


State during the period of Republi.


can control any legal voter was ever


debarred from the freest exercise of


his suffrage. Even the revenges


which would have leaped into life


with many who despised the negro


were buried out of sight with mag
nanimlty which the superior race"


fail to follow and seem reluctant to
recognize. know it is said in re-
tort of such charges against the
southern ele ctions as | am now re.
viewing that un(airness of equal
gravity prevails in northern eIec-
tions. | hear it in many quarters
and read it in the papers that in the
late exciting election in Massachu.
setts intimidating and buIlbozing, if
not SO rough and rancorous as in the
South, were yet as widespread and
effective.


| have read and yet | refuse to
believe that the distinguished gen-
tleman, who made all energetic but
canvass for the COVER
norship of that State, has indorsed
and approved these charges, and | |
have accordingly made my resolu-
ton broad enough to include their
thorough investigation. ] am not
demanding fair elections in the South
without demanding fair elections in
the North also. But venturing to
speak for the New England States,
Of whose laws and customs | know
| dare assert that in the
late election in Massachusetts,, or
any of her neighboring Common.
weallhs, it will be impossible to find
even one case where voter was
driven from the polls, where a voter
did not have the fullest, fairest,
freest opportunity to cast the ballot
of his choice and have it honestly
and faithfully counted ir the returns,
Suffrage on this continent was first
made universal in New England, and
in the administration of their affairs
her people have found no their ap
peal necessary than that which is ad-
dressed to their honesty of convic-
tion and to their intelligent selg.in-
terest. If there be anything differ
ent to disclose pray you show it to
lis that we NAV amend our ways,
Year: 1879

l
electors for President and Vice Pres
ident of the United States, Repre-
sentatives in Congress, the executive
and judicial officers of Il State, or
the members of the Legislature
thereof, is denied to any of the male
inhabitants of such State, being
twenty.Cne years of age, and citi
zens of the United States, or in any
way abridged, except for participa
ton in rebellion, or other crime, the
basis of representation therein shall
be reduced in the proportion which
the number of such male citizens
shall bear to the whole number of
male citizens twenty-one years of
age in such State.


The patent, undeniable intent of
this provision was that if any class
of voters were denied or in any way
abridged in their right of suffrage,
then the class so denied or abridged
should not be counted in the basis
of representation; or, in other words
that no State or States should gain
large increase of representation in
Congress by reason of counting any
class Of population not permitted to
take part in electing such Represent
atives. But the construction given
to this provision is that before any
forfeiture of representation can be
enforced the denial or abridgment
Of suffrage must be the result of
law specifically enacted by the State.
Under this construction every negro
voter may have his suffrage abso'
lutely denied or fatally abridged by
the violence, actual or threatened OF
irresponsible mobs, or by frauds and
receptions Of the State officers from
the Governor dowr to the last elec
tion clerk, and then, unless some
State law can be shown that author
ICES the denial or abridgment, the
State escapes all penalty or peril of
reduced representation. This con-
struction may be upheld by the
courts, ruling on the letter OF the
law, (which killeth," but the spirit
Of justice cries aloud against the
evasive and atrocious conclusion that
deals out oppression to the innocent
and shields the guilty from the lie.
gitimate consequences OF willtuI
transgression.


The colored citizen is thus most
unhappily situated; his right of suf
frage is but a hollow mockery; it
holds to his ear the word of promise
hut breaks it always to his hope, and
he ends only in being made the un-
willing instrument of increasing the
political strength of that party from
which he received ever.tightening
tettels when he was a slave and con
temptuous refusal OF civil rights
since he was free. He resembles in
deed those captives in the East who
deprived Of their birthright are com
peled to yield their strength 10 the
upbuilding of the monarch from
whose tyrannios they have most
to fear, and to fight against the pow
er from which alone deliverance
might be expected. The franchise
intended for the shield and defense
of the negro has been turned against
him and against his friends aud has
vastly increased the power of those
from whom he has nothing to hope
and everything to dread.


The political power thus appropri-
ated hy Southern Democrats by
reason of the negro population
amounts to thirty-fve Representa-
tives in Congaess. 1t is massed al
most solidly and offsets the gaeat
State Of New York; or PennsyIua'
MIA and New Jersey together; or the