smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1866

tits stated in the report-of the
Secretary Of the Navy that the
naval force at this time consists of
two hundred and seventy-eight
vessels, armed with two thousand
three hundred and fity-ore guns.
Of these, one hundred and fifteen
vessels. carrying one thousand and
twenty-nine guns, are in commits
sion, distributed chiefly among
seven squadrons. The number Of
men in the service is thirteen
thousand six hundred. Great
activity and vigilance have been
displayed by all the squadrons,
and their movements have been
iudiciously and efficiently arrang-
ed in such manner as would best
promote American commerce, and
protect the rights and interests Of
our countrymen ABROAD The
vessels unemployed are undergoing
repairs, or are laid up until their
services may be required: Most
of the iron-clad fleet is at League
Island, in the vicinity Of Philadel-
phia, a place which, until decisive
action should be taken by Congress,
was selected by the Secretary Of
the Navy as the most eligible
location for that class Of vessels.
1t is important that suitable pub
lie station should he provided for
Year: 1866




PLEASURES OF MIDDLE AGE.-BetwCen
successful and unsuccessful there is the vast
difference Of comfort and ease. 1t is there
fore better to be successful though enough
of success is pretty nearly as good as feast.
And the same rule Of compromise holds
good in other matters. To take and enjoy
domestic affection without being too dcsi
rous OF life of passionate romance is one
obvious lesson that middle age teaches
Another is to be ready to accep. something
short of complete victory in contests Of Opin-
ION. At the outset OF life we all hope 10 he
able 20 convince and to convert the world,
or the public, or cur neighbOrs or at all
events our friends. We feel difficulty iu
acting with men whose views about relig,
ion or morality or politics differ materially
from our own. Ii we went through our ca
reer in such temper, We should fare as
badly as a man would fare 10 the thorough
fares oil LONDON who could not bear a crowd.
Life is made up as middle age discovers, of
giving and Of taking, and the first principle
Of the great art of association and mutual
help is to learn what is all important, and
what is sufficient, immaterial and secondary
to admit Of being sacrificed for the eud we
have In view. Whether it be in club, or q
partnership, or parish, or a public meeting,
or political party, the truth holds good
that to move with as little friction as possible
and the only way to lessen individual fric>
tion is for individuals 70 smooth down their
own rough edges.
Year: 1866

A poor woman in St. Louis, arrested for steal
ing shirt, created so much sympathy when
brought before the court that she was acquitted
without trial, alter which a purse was raised
for her amongst the lawyers. The attorney who
was to haveprosecuted her then hired her as
servant aud took her home.
Year: 1866




I was already so familiar with Mr.. Bur
ton personal surroundings as to know that
he was widower. with two children the
eldest. a boy Of fifteen. away al school: the
second, girl of eleven. of delicate health,
and educated at home, so far as she studied
at all, by a day governess. | had never
seen this aughter-Lenorc, he called her
hut could guess, without particular
shrewdness, that his heart was wrapped up
in her. He could not mention her name
without glow coming into his face her
lrail health appeared to he the anxiety of
| his life. ! could hear her, now. taking a
singing lesson i'll distant apartment. and
rs her pure voice rose clear and high.
mounting and mounting with airy steps
the difficult scale, | listened delightedv,
making picture in my mind of tho grace
full little creature such ii y8iue should be-
long to.


Her father was listening, too, with a
smile in his eye. half forgctfnI of his coffee.
| Presently he said, in a low voice. speaking
at first with some reiuctancc


II sent for you to day, more particular
| ly to make You the confidential witness ot
an experiment than anything else. You
hear my I.enoro singing now-has she not
sweet voice have told YOU how deli
cate her health is. l diScoycrc |. by chance
some two or three year. since, that she had
pccnllar Attributes. She is an excellent
claryoyant. When first discovered it.
| made Use Of her rare faculty TO assist ne
in my more important lahors: but soon
discovered that it told icarfully upon her
health. 1t seemed to drain the slender
stream of vitality nearly dry. Our physi-
elan told me that must dcsSt, entirely,
all experiments of the kind with her. He
was pcremptory about it, but he had need
only to caution me. would sooner drop
il year out of my shortening future than to
take one grain from that increasing strength
which watch from day to day with deep
solicitude. She is my only girl, Mr.. Red
field. and the image of her departed moth
cr. You must not wonder if am foolish
about my Lenore. For eighteen months
have not exercised my power over her 20
place her in the trance state, or whatever
it is. in which, with the clue in her hand,
She will unwind the path to more pe.plex-
ed ahprinths than those of the fair ones
bower. And | tell you, solomny. that if,
by so doing, she could point out to me pots
OF gold, or the secrets OF diamond mines. |
would not risk her slightest welfare, by
again cxhaustIng her recruiting energies.
Nevertheless. 50 deeply am interested in
the tragedy to which you have called my
attcntion-so certain am that am on
the eve Of the sniution al the mystery-am
such al, aot of justice aud righteousness do
deem it that ii should be exposed in its
naked truth before those who have suffered
from the crime--that have resolved to
place Lenore once more in the clairvoyant
state, for the purpose of ascertaining the
Year: 1866

SChildren hunger perpetualIy for ideas,
and the most pleasant way of reception is
by tbs voice and ear, not the printed page.
The one mode is natural, the other artificial.
Who would not rather listen than read?-
An audience will listen closely from the be-
ginning to the end of an address which not
one in twenty of those present would read
with the same attention. This is emphali-
cally true of children. They will learn with
pleasure from the lips of parents what they
deem drudgery to study in the book; and
even if they have the misfortune to


prived of the educational advantages


they desire, they csenot fail to grow up in
telli gent if they enjoy in childhood and
youth the privileges of listening daily to
the conversation of intelligent people. Let
parents, then, talk we'll at home.
Year: 1866

By his air and gait, the ultra-fashionable
style of his clothing, the killing curl of his
hair and mustache, the 'look and die'' ex-
preston of his simpering face, his stream
of small talk, and sundry other signs and
tokens of plethora of vanity and a lack of
soul and brain, you may distinguish at
glance the individual who plumes himself
a ''lades' man." His belief in his own
responsibility is written all over him.
And to say the truth, your ladies' men have
some grounds for their self-cOneeit It is
indubitable that girls do sometime fall in
love, or who suppose they love, fellows
who look as if they had walked out of
tailor's fashion plates--creatures that by the
aid of the various artists who contribute to
the "make up Of human popinjays have
been converted into superb examples of
what art can affect in the way of giving
man an unmauly appearance. The woman
who marries one of these fatterers is to be
pitied; for if she has any glimmering of
common sense, and a heart, she will soon
discover that her dainty husband has no
more Of mans spirit in him than an auto
matte figure on a Savoyard's hsnd-organ.
But woman worth true mans love is
never caught by such specimen of Orua-
mental hollow-ware.


A sensible woman is, in fact, a terror to
ladies men," for they are aware that her
penetrating eye looks through them and
sounds the depths of their emptiness. She
knows the man indeed from the trumpery
counterfeit, and has no touch of the mack
erel propensity to jump at a hashy bait n
her wholesome composition. The 'ladies'
man" should be permitted to live and diSa
bachelor. His vocation is to dangle after
the sex, to talk soft nonsense, to carry
shawls and fans, to astOnish boarding school
misses, to kindle love flames as evanescent
and harmless as the fzz of a squib. If,
however he must needs become Benedict,
let him be yoked with some vain and silly
frt, his natural counterpart. So shall the
law of fitness not be outraged.
Year: 1866

tor comes; If IN position where the Eaud-
kerchief cannot be used, press the thumb
on a spot near the wound between the wound
aud the heart; increase the pressure until
bleeding ceases, but do not lessen the pres
sure for an instant, until the physician ar
rives, so as to glue up the wound by the
coagulation or cooling of the hardening
blood.


5. If your clothing takes fire, slide the
hands down the dress, keeping them as
close to the body as possible, at the same
time sinking to the floor by bending the
knees; this has a smothering effect upon
the flames; if not extinguished, or a great
headway is gotten, lie down on the floor,
roll over and over; or better, envelop your
self in a carpet, rug, bedcloth, or any gar
ment you can get hold of, always preferring
wooden.


6. If the body is tired, rest; if the brain
is tired, sleep.


Z. If the bowels are too loose, lie down
in a warm bed, remain there, and eat no.
thing until you are well. Drink a small
dose OF blackberry wine or brandy three
times a day.


8. If an action of the bowels does not oc-
cur at the usual hour, eat not an atom until
they do act, at least for thirty-six hours;
meanwhile drink largely of cold water, and
exercise in the open air to the extent of a
gentle perspiration, and keep this up until
things are. If you partake of any food in
this condition, let it be something that has
a tendency to loosen the bowels. These
suggestions, if practiced, would save thou
sands of lives every year, both in city and
country
Year: 1866

TIE red color of wine can be proved to
be artificial or true by simply dipping .
small piece of bread or soft sponge into the
liquid and placing it in a glass Of pure wa
ter, If the color is artificial the water will
be al once colored. but pure wine will not
color it for half an hour or more. The
sponge should be well washed beforehand
Year: 1866

A laboring man in Boston, Mass, by
mistake, drank a glass full of solution Of
potash, used in tempering steel. Before he
could be made to vomit, his entire body
turned bright red color. His life was
finally saved after enduring terrible agony
for several hours.
Year: 1866

STORY READMG.-At a certain age, chill
dren of both sexes delight in stories. 1t is
as natural as for them to skip, run and
jump, instead of walking al the staid pace
of grand parents. Now some persons think
they do very wise thing when they deny
this most innocent craving and Legitimate
outlet. They wish to cultivate, they say,
ga taste for solid reading" They might
as we lSbegin to feed a new born baby on
meat, lest nursing should Yitiate its desire
for it. The taste for meat viii come when
the child has teeth to chew it; so will the
taste of solid reading as the mind natures
that is if it is not made to hate it by hav-
ing it forced violently upon its attention
during the story loving period. That there
is ''time for all things' is truer of nothing
more than this.
Year: 1866

A New WAY TO GET RICH.-Some time
since friend Of ours, says the Mobile
Tribune, who has great faith in the honesty
of human beings, and who strictly acts up
to the maxim "Think every man honest
until he is proved thief" had his attention
attracted by New York advertisement,
put forth in flaming capitals, announcing
that for fifty cents the advertiser would


End a certain and quick mode for getting
rich. Never doubling the honesty of the
advertiser and with his mind filed with
plenthoric Golfers, our friend enclosed his
fractional currency to the address of the
person in possession of this important and
long sought secret. Yesterday he received
by mail the folIowieg reply: "Work like
the ID and don't spend a cent" He
thinks now that he has been "muchly
sold," and we think so too. This should
be a warning to others who feel desirous Of
suddenly acquiring fortunes.
Year: 1866

THE LAST SLAvE.-rhe last individual de.
tanned as chattel in the shape of man, and
black at that, is "held to service at a store
nearly opposite the Spotswood hotel. How it
is that he has escaped the attention OF phi.
lanthropists and the freedmen's bureau, we
know not, But certain it is, though the
shackels have fallen from the limbe of all
blacks, they still cling to this boy with a te,
naciiy that we apprehend, defes the bureau
itself. One cant help pitying this poor lit
tie fellow, solitary and alone as he is in his
enslavement. This sentiment is heightened
by the fact that he is understood to he scan
tily supplied with clothing; indeed, it is said
he hasn't change Of drapeIy Yet never
was the cheerfulness and good humor of the
African character more forcibly exhibited
than by this little fellow. His duties expose
him TO great hardship and to all sorts of
weather, yet he maintains most impertur-
bable expression of good humor and content.
BE must have an iron constitution His own
ers, with all their neglect, it is said are much
attached to him, and it would take great
effort to get him off from his "masters, ~ for
they are indeed nothing else. Nothing but
their mutual attachment and tho evident
contentment OF the poor boy prevents him
from turning Abolitionist and moving hesv.
en- and earth TO break the chains TINT bind
the limbs Of this last of the bondsmen on the
soil Of America, Richmond Dispatch.
Year: 1866

The oil producers at Oil Creek held meet
ing recently and mutually agreed no longer to sell
crude oil BY the baEtel or package. but by the gal.
Ion only. An allowance Of two gallons Will be
made on the guagc Of each and every forty gallons
in favor OF tho hryer.
Year: 1866

We hear a choice bit of scandal rela-
ted as having occurred in neighboring
town not great many days ago, which
it can do no harm to give to our readers.
A gentleman Of middle age, and not very
prepossessing in personal appear
ance, but glorifying in the possession of
very pretty young wife, had occasion
to visit one of the cities on the lakes on
important business. After making part
of the journey, he discovered that he had
forgotten some important papers, with
out which his trip would be of no avail,
and he was consequently obliged to re-
turn after them. Arriving at home in
the night, he was admitted to the house
and to his wife's chamber, "shed his
outer garments and went to bed. Soon
after hi, lovely young wife was taken
violently sick, and the husband was COM
PEELED to get up apd go in search OF a
doctor He found some difficulty in
drawing on his pants, which seemed to
have grown small and beautifully less"
in very mysterious manner, but getting
them on he proceeded in quest of the fam
lily physician, whom he found, and to
whom he remarked that he didn't know
what the devil was the matter with his
pants" A single glance satisfied the
doctor, who rather staggered the happy
husband by exclaiming, why those are
not your pants they belong to I'd
know them among thousandr Ex-
amining the pockets the wronged hus-
band discovered in the one indisputable
proof as to who was the owner of the
pants, and in the other roll of green
backs amounting in all to about $4,000.
Making his way home he found his wife
convalescent, and his own pants missing.
The pants and money belonged to one
of the rich men of the place, who was
glad to settle the matter by releasing all
claim upon either. The happy husband
seems to consider the trade a good one,
and very generously Offers TO throw the
frail wife into the bargain. Fond Du
Lac Press.
Year: 1866

While the jeff Davis Legion of caval-
ry, belonging to Hampton's brigade, was
encamped on the Virginia Central rail
road in 1862, wild trooper more fond
of chickens and ducks than military duty,
went out foraging among the coops Of a
farmer, whose house stood near the camp
of the Legion. The next morning, the
GOOD lnan Of the house came over to the
tent Of Col Martin, complained bitterly
of the outrage, and asked for guard
Col Martin directed guard to be sent
with strict orders, to watch the feath.
cry treasures by day and night A
common punishment in our regiment
was putting offenders on extra guard
duty But on this occasion the most ex-
emplary men were chosen to perform
the delicate task Of protecting the poul-
try against midnight marauders. Young
L., handsome Mississippian, was one
of the guards selected because of the uni
form propriety of his conduct Knowing
that there were some very pretty girls in
the house, he had dressed himself up in
his best clothes, and, with sabre drawn,
was pacing up aud down on bis sentry
post, in al the conscious pride
az being protector to fair ladies,
a well dressed soldier, and


fine looking man. But his happiness
was not to last forever Apond of water
was near the house, at which troopers
watered their horses. Private R who
was believed to have stolen the chickens,
rode up to the pond, and seeing the evi-
dent enjoyment of L., called out loud
enough to be heard by the girls, So you
have been caught at your tricks at last,
and Col Martin has put you on guard
10 punish you, / told you toilet the chick
ems alone, but you would not mind me, !"
and then putting spurs TO his horse,
dashed of before the bewildered sentinel
could DENY the charge We Love
Year: 1866

never saw. Every department of life
has felt and seen its accelerated motion
and it is almost enough to make one feel
giddy to look back over the last quarter
of a century and witness the rapid sue
cession of discoveries in art and science,
and the wonderful increase in wealth
and population. .-Antquary an Scienti-
fc Americnn
Year: 1866

ment, II we except the excitement lhat
has been caused by


A SINGULAR DUEL


which took place few mornings since,
near the Notifications of Paris. The
morning in question, about three o clock,
a young officer of the zouaves went to
the police station of the Sth division and
told the Sergeant that Monsieur Seguin
had just been wounded in duel in a
street close by, and begged him to come
and aid the wounded man. Mr.. Seguin
was found bleeding in the street danger
ously wounded, and he died a few hours
after. The young officer said that he
had been the second and refused to give
the name of the other adversary, but it is
strongly suspected that he himself is the
adversary in question: and he has been
placed under arrest. No light has yet
been thrown upon this affair, which
doubtless is the sequel of some mystcri-
GUS event. Mr.. Seguin is well known in
all the high circles of Paris, and was not
yet thirty years of age. A movement is
now preparing in the


THEATRICAL WORLD


and the winter season will be marked by
some striking novelties One Of the
most amusing pieces that has appeared
this year is .rt ar


LA ME PARIslBNNE


at the Palais Royal, and when we say
that the music is by Ofenbach it will be
understood where the charm lies. This
piece will remain on the stage, and visit
ors to the exhibition Of 1867 will have a
chance Of listening to the racy music of
tho author of " "A Belle Helene"
Year: 1866

From the Correspondent Of the Gin
cinati Gazette, writing from Columbus,
we copy the, following in con6rma-
ton Of our assertion that Grant and
arragut are with Congress:


Between him and Gen, Grant there
was a strong bond Of sympathy, both
having met treason on the battlefield,
and both hating traitors now as much
as ever. II is we'll known that Gov.
enor Cox had o long and interesting
conversation with the General, and
that the latter expressed his views
freely on the political situation He
could not approve the course Of the
President; nor did he think the safety
of the country lay 10 his policy, but in
that Of Congress. For copperheads
and rebels he had the same hatred he
ever had during the progress Of the
war. These facts now being repeated
by Union men on the streets, confirms
your Washington advices as to the
devotion Of General Grant TO the
Union cause.
Year: 1866

IA A WATERFALL ON FIRI---A
young lady riding in car on the Sus-
auehanna railroad was suddenly as
saulted very violently the other day
by an-old Indy in the seat behind her,
who tore the "wateriall" from the
young lady's head, threw il on tho
floor, and commenced stamping on it
The young lady was at first disposed
10 resent this treatment, but it was
soon explained TO her that her water
fall was on FIRE when the old lady
seized it. She was sitting by the open
window. and a spark from the locom-
olive had lighted in her back hair, and
would soon have lighted il up had not
assistance been thus promptly render
ed.
Year: 1866

widow fondly imagined that she had got a
suitor.


The call was made, and followed by others;
but the gentleman was not aware that he
was watched by lynx-eyed mentef Of the
fair sex, who occupied the dwelling opposite.
This lady knew all about him, and was, also,
slightly acquainted with his wife, and came
to the virtuous conclusion to inform the
lady OF what was going on. She accordingly
made pilgrimage to the house of what she
considered the much ill-used wife, and re-
lated in touching accents all she had seen.


Measures were promptly taken to expose
the husband and chastise the artfui widow.
The wife possessed herself of a heavy riding
switch, and she and her friend repaired to
the dwelling of the latter to watch events.
Eusconced behind the blind of window,
the wife could see all that went on in the
house opposite. In few minutes the hus-
band came marching along, and the door of
the widows dwelling was opened at his ap-
proach, and he was received with a smile as
he entered.


This was too much for the wife, and she has
tily ran down stairs, rushed across the street.
knocked Justify at the widows door, and, on
being opened, she demanded her husband.
The widow stood aghast, and before she
could utter a word the riding switch was ap-
piled rather sharply to her shoulders.
Hearing a scream the husband ran out of
the parlor into the hall, and was dumb
founded when he ebeheld his own wife. He
rushed between the ladies, and, like ali
meddlers, he came in for fair share of
blows With considerable difficulty he got
his wife out of the house. The wife talked
loudly of a separation, but on receiving as
surance that he had only visited the widow
twice, and that nothing improper had passed
between them, she agreed to return home to
her children. The husband has now received
a lesson which viii prevent hirn from paying
attentions to lively widows in the future.
Year: 1866

THE late DR.. JAYNE, Of Philadelphia,
made curious will. With the exception
of some pecuniary legaeies, not large in the
aggregate, his estate is devised to his execu-
tors and the survivors Of them, in trust for
and during the full end and term of the
natural lives Of his seven children and four
grandchildren, and the life of the survivors
of them. The clear annual income Of the
estate is 20 be distributed equally between
his children and the issue Of any such as
may die, the latter taking their deceased
parents share, until the death of the sur
vivor of his children and grandchildren
(now living, when the whole estate is to be
divided. The widow receives three thou
sand dollars per annum, under the terms Of
the marriage settlement, and a new house is
TO be finished and stable built for the ac-
commodation Of the horses and carriages,
and the eouse is to be kept up at the ex-
pense Of the estate; and S400 600 out Of the
income is set apart 70 rebuild, in case any
Of his property is destroyed BY FIRE or other
accident, and also to provide a suitable set
clement for such Of his children as shall
hereafter marry.