smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1874

In the Atdautic, Professor Shaler has
an article on The Moon." from which
we take the following:


Few Of those who have only seen the
moon with the naked eye have an idea
of the extent and accuracy of the infor-
nation which has been gained cocerning
its physical character. 1t is not too
much to say that we know the general
topography of this side of the moon
much batter than we know that of any
of the great land masses of the earth ex-
eept Europe There is not one crater
over mile in diameter, nor a single
hill Thousand feet high, which has not
been seen again and again by the many
observers who are now studying its sur
face. Mountains might be made or un-
made even in the centre of our oldest
and most peopled continents, and the
scientific world would know nothing of
it but it is hardly possible for any con-
siderable change to take place on the
hither side of that world quarter of a
million miles away. without being OBJ
served before single month elapses.
We may see more clearly just what the
observing powers are, if We conceive the
astronomer placed in the moon and look
ing down upon the surface Of North
America with the same powers that the
observer can apply to our satellite. By
the naked eye, with the earth full lit By
the sun. the twin continents Of North
and South America could be seen for
their whole length at once. In the twelve
hours in which they would swing up
from the darkness, and back into il
again. as the earth made its daily revo.
luton. every part Of this ten thousand
miles Of land would be easily looked
over The mountains and deserts would
show on the greenish. verdure-clad con
tinents; the enyironing sea would throu
back varied tints according 10 It's stat
of agitation or repose. Though the grea
features Of land and sea would be yisi
bic, all detail would be wanting.
Year: 1874

Speculation at the Stock Exchange has been dull
to-day and the volume of business limited, and with
the little matter of doubt which still hangs over the
future action of Congress upon the question OF
finance, together with the fact that many OF the
stocks upon the list have already reached, IN the
estimation of many shrewd financial men. about as
much as they are worth, he would be clever gucs-
who could tell you whether the prices OF stocks
are likely to 90 up or down Tomorrow. Probably
the spectators in railway and other shares are com
peten to take of themselves, or even If they are
not that the world would still get along very well
but II il due TO the business and commercial in-
terests of the country that Congress take definite
action upon n matter in which those interests 30
vitalN involved a. that of the volume ard nnaiiiy
Year: 1874

New York Evening PoSt-Republiean.


1t is mortifyiI. that President Grant
should have let his personal prejudices
run 50 far as to sacrifice the interests
Of the pubic service and the dignity of
the Government, as there can be no de-
nying that he has done. His personal
friends and the favorites of his person
al friends have controlled the larger
part Of the Executive business. The
country has had sad experience in
this kind of appointments, and it is
not unnatural that from it has resulted
reaction rather favorable to partisan
ship. An experienced and well-known
partisan is felt to be preferable to a
nonentity, and IN most cases less dis
posed to corruption; and this is the
feeling which moved Congress to
strangle the so-called Civil Service
Reform" There is little use IN laying
down rules which are practically set
aside by the power that ought to be
foremost in their enforcement.


We are among the number of those
who have desired to accord to the Pres
ident honest motives IN the conduct of
his Administration; but the effort-,re
auires a good deal of faith and pa
tience. We have commended his mes
sages in favor Of Civil Service Reform
only to soon stumbleovers such appoint
ments as those of Casey, Murphy,
Leet and Simmons, IN direct violation
Of his own pledges; just as we have
praised his professions in behalf of
economy, soon to find that he has
signed the most Objectionable appro-
priation bills.


The President appears determined
that the country shall not think well of
him without violating its better judg-
ment. His latest and worst perform
ance in this line was the appointment
yesterday of Alexander r. Shepherd
to be one of the Commissioners to or
ganize a new Government for the Dis
trict of Columbia. Mr.. Shepherd was
totally unfit for the position,
having been expelled by Con-
gress from the Office of
Governor of the District for NAL
administration. The most unanimous
Judgment of Congress and of the coun-
try were against him. Yet right in
the face of this verdict the President
made social trip to Cape May with
Shepherd, and on returning to the White
House appointed him to an Office so
nearly like the one from which he was
expelled, that there is an appearance
of malice in the act. This appointment
was one of the worst events in this
eventful administration, and the SEN
ate did right IN rebukiDg the President
so emphatically. 1t rejected the nOmi-
nation almost unanimously, just as the
New York Senate would have rejected
the nomination of Tweed, if, after the
exposure of the frauds of the New
York Ring, the Legislature of this
State had intrusted the Govern
ment of this city to Board of three
Commissioners to be appointed by the
Governor. and Gov. Hoffman had ap.
pointed Tweed to be it's chairman.
Year: 1874

The success of August lies full with
in our grasp. Our line of duty is plain
and simple. Concentrate on the ticket
nominated by yesterdays convention.
Vote the ticket, the whole ticket, and
nothing but the ticket. There is not a
name on it that is not to be preferred
to the Civil Rights combination. No
new convention or mass meeting or
primary election would be at all likely
to result in a ticket as satisfactory.
The die is cast. After putting our
hand to the plow, there should be no
looking back.


This Capital county of the State
owes an example to her sister counties.
After witnessing the negro convention
held in this city a few months ago, it
would be strange indeed if we allowed
these howlers for social levelism to
choose our local officers. Chronic dis
organizers must be frowned down. The
general veal is superior to any mans
claims for office. The people have
spoken through their chosen repre-
sentatives. 1t remains for the people
to enforce their verdict.


Malcontents will seek to raise a
cloud of doubt and exaggerate the
difficulties before us, but the one only
possible Path tc success shines as clear
and unmistakable as the polar star.
And we have much to cheer us in the
work. We have over two thousand re-
serves that did not participate in the
fight of 1872. Bring out the reserves
This is the main work of the coming
six weeks. This is the canvass
work of our candidates, but
every good citizen should join
in it and rouse his apathetic
neighbor. Bring out the reserves, and
we shall prove once and for ever that
the people Of Davidson can and viii
rule this country. Bring out the re-
serves, and give the Radicals and those
that consort with them a rebuke that
will show the utter impotence uf all
such ignoble bargain and intrigue.
Year: 1874

| Of all the GU stoms which prevail.

 I think that kissing through the vail

 Is one of just about the worst-

 And said SO from the very first.

 Why women want to squeeze and press Each others necks in fond caress,

 And make it quite public show, This aged party wants to know

 We never dreamt Tn my young days

 Of kissing ID such varied ways;

 But thought il far more pleasant then,

 10 nave u d0ue by gentlemen

 Of course no lady could feel proud To have It done sefOre a cTewd- But always found 3 proper place And time to manage an embrace. How quickly then their sweethearts learnt, They seemed relunctant when they weren't But used at Christmas time to go Quite calmly meath the mistletoe. Now on all sides it seems the rule For girls to kiss through vails of tulle; Or through transparent Cluny lace To do the loving, face to face. With lip to lip, and hand to glove, As if they did it out of love; It being but specimen Of art to tantalize the men. But for my part can't believe In any better plans than Eve COntrivOd and all accounts record She was tho first to love her lord.
Year: 1874

D0n'C pc LOO Suuu0U dDOuG It. Many girl has said "no," when she meant yes" simply because her lover didn't choose the right time and pop the question gently

 Take 9 dark night for it. Have the blinds closed, the cur. tains down and the lamp turned most out. Sit near enough to hel so that you can hook your little finger into hers. Wait until con. versation beging to flag and then quietly remark:

 "Susie, I want to ask you some thing"

 She will fidget around a little reply "yes." and after a pause you can add:

 "Susie, my actions must have shOwn-that is, you must have seen-I mean you must be aware that-that-"

 Pause here for 3 while, but keep your little finger firmly locked. She may cough and try to turn the subject of by asking you how you liked the circus, but she on- ly does it to encourage you. After ab0nt ten minutes you can con- tnue: s,a.t,

 "I was thinking as I came up the path tonight that before I went away I would ask you that is 1 would broach the subject nearest my-I mean I would know my"

 Stop again and give her hand 8 gentle squeeze. She. may give yank to get it away, or she may not. in either case it augurs well for you. Wait about five minutes and then go-on:

 "The past year has been a very happy one, to me. But hope future years will be still happier. However, that depends entirely on you. l am here to night to that is to ask you-I mean 1 am here to night to hear from your own lips the one sweet"

 Wait again. It isn't best to be too rash about such things. Give her plenty of time to recover her cOmpOsure and then put your hand on your heart and then con- tinue:

 "Yes I thought as was com- ing through the gate tonight how happy l had been, and I said to myself that if only knew that you would consent 10 be my that is, sa;d fl I only knew If was cniy certain that my heart had not decieved me and you were ready tO share-''

 Hold On-there's no hurry about it. Give the wind a chance to sob and moan around the zaU- les. This will make her iune- some and call up all the love in her neart. When she begins to cough and grow restless, you can go.on.

 "before l met you this world was a desert to me. I didn't take any pleasure in going black Derrylng and stealing rare-ripe peaches, and it didn't matter whether the sun shone or not. But what a change in one short year! It IS for you to say wheth- CT my future shall be a prarie of happiness or a summer faIIow of Canada thistles. Speak dearest Susie, and say-and say thai that"

 Give her five minutes bv tbe clock and then add:

 "That you will beth at is. that you will mean that you will be-be mineW

 She will heave sigh, look mn at the clock and over to the stove and then as she slides her head over on your. vest pocket she will whisper:

 "Your just right, I will"

 "Oh! ma. There's an angel

 O.
Year: 1874

A correspondent says: "For place
where the varied humors, characters
ties, and moods of human nature are
developed and exhibited commend me
to a crowded horse-car in large city.
All the petty, mean, and manly traits
are shown forth by men and women In
these conveyances to their fullest ex-
tent. A few evenings ago, while riding
to my home in one of these Sandwich
ing machines, a lady (?) entered, and
by dint of persistent crowding made
her way through the car to the front
end. Here a gentleman arose and
proffered her his seat. just as she
turned to take it, without 30 much as
thanking him, she concentrated all the
venom of hateful disposition in the
remark: If there were any gentlemen
in the car they would not allow the
lady to go the length of it before giving
her seat She had not time to get
seated before the insolent remark es-
capped her, when the gentleman who
had offered her his seat quickly slid
back into it again and quickly re-
marked 4 think the ladies' are all
seated The rebuke was SO deserved
and withal SO capitally administered,
that murmur Of applause escaped
from nearly every one In the car, and
the crestfallen woman soon rang the
bell and alighted."
Year: 1874

There Is magic power IN gentle
words, the potency of which few ma
lures are so icy as wholly to resist.
Would you have your home a cheerful,
hallowed spot, within which may be
found that happiness and peace which
the world denieth to its votarles Let
no harsh words be uttered within its
walls.


Speak gently to the wearied hus-
band, who, with anxious brow, returns
from the perplexities of his daily avo-
cations; and let him, in his turn, speak
gently to the care-worn woman and
wife, who. amid her never-ending round
of little duties, finds rest and encour-
agement in the sympathy of him she
loves. Speak gently to the wayward
child; pleasant smile and word OF
kindness will often restore good humor
and playfulness. Speak gently to the
dependent who hghtens your daily
toll; kind words insure respect and af-
fection, while the angry rebuke pro-
vokes impertinence and dislike. Speak
gently 10 the aged; many are the trials
through which they have passed, and
now in little while they will be missed
from their accustomed places; the
spirit will have passed to its rest. The
remembrance of an unkind word will
then bring with it bitter sting.


Speak gently to the erring one; are
We not all weak and liable to err
Temptations, of which we cannot judge,
may have surrounded him. Harsh
ness will drive him on the sinful way;
gentleness may win him back to virtue.
Year: 1874

The power of money is on the whole
Over-estimatsd. The greatest things
which have been done for the world
have not been accomplished by rich
men, or by subscription lists, but by
men generally of small means: The
greatest thinkers, discoverers, invent
Ors and artists have been men of mode
rate wealth, many of them little raised
above the conoitiOn of manual Ia
bOrers, in point of worldly circum-
stances.


And it will always be so. Riches are
oftener an impediment than stimulus
to action, and in many cases they are
quite as much misfortune as bless
ing. The youth who inherits wealth is
apt to have life made too easy for him,
and he soon grows sated with 1t, be-
cause he has nothing left to desire.
Having no special object to struggle
for, he finds time heavy on his hands:
remains morally and mentally asleep;
and his position in society is often no
higher than that of 4 polypus over
which the tide floats
Year: 1874

In Paris there are now nine mantua-
makers and six milliners of the mascu-
line persuasion, each of whom is at the
head of large establishment. They
are all gentlemen of unusually refined
manners and luxurious habits. They
never go abroad without q carriage, and
are always attired in faultless costume.
By uniting taste and tact with busl-
ness-faculty, they are rapidly building
up enviable regulations and fortunes.
Is there not a lesson for ladies in their
career? 1t is little curious that, while
women are venturing into vocations
hitherto monopohzed by the stronger
sex, men should turn the tables upon
them, and, taking up trades which have
been deemed their exclusive preroga-
tives, quickly coin wealth and fame out
of the undertaking. Does not this tend
to show that there is not much differ.
ence between the masculine and the
feminine intellect after all; that the
great disparity noted in their inclina-
tions, pursuits, and achievements, is
more the result OF education than Of
Mature?
Year: 1874

There is no subject upon which the
human mind can dwell that is invested
with such sober surroundings as death.
What it is? This question has been
asked billions of times we ask our
selves this momentous question every
bo iy asks it, because everybody feels
deeply interested in its deep mysteries.


The subject is not a pleasant one to
contemplate the best of the race re
gard 1t with dread all classes put it
away from them as far as possible /; none
like to commune with the great Terror
King but no answer comes back to the
question. "What is death p We have
seen it effects upon our families, friends
and acqualntances We are painfully
conscious that it destroys life. trans
forms beings of beauty, activity and af
lection into Jumps of Illuminate clay ;
that the damask cheeks, the sparkling
eyes, the athletic frames, are rendered
food for the charnalhouse worms, after
death has placed the signet of mortality
upon the living. Of the nature OF this
great scytheman of our race we know
absolutely nothing of the universally
of his sway We know all, but finite
minds cannot fathom the immensity OF
this change from life to death.


Is death the bridge between the
present and the unexplored future,
between earth and heaven? Is it posi-
bic for mortals, after they have lost
their vitality, to walk safely over the
bridge that spans the two worlds? Is
death an unbridged chasm which separ-
ates the finite from the infinite? If SO,
may we not bridge it by life devoted
to the right? May not virtucus actions
erect a safe structure over this dark and
forbidden chasm? We are told that faith
can explain all these things, but we
have not that faith, in the orthodox
sense
Year: 1874

Oh who was watching when Love came by,
When Love came here in the glad spring


hours?
The scarf was torn from his laughing eyes,
And he wore instead wreath of flowers
The wreath of flowers his head went round
And about his eyes, the scarf had been;
But in vain the fiowery band was bound,
For he peeped the flowers and leaves be


tween
lie wore no quiver. he bore no bow
And innocent looked as blinded boy;
With flowers about him, above, below,
The spirit he seemed of spring and JOY.
But here and there he let fall flower
The cruel, the bright little blinded god.
And watching, l saw that hour by hour
These blooms took root in the green spring


sod
And whose plucks the flowers that grow
From the blooms Love flung from his


wresths above
Though understanding of blossoms they


blow,


His heart shall be hot with the madness OF


love.
The SDoctdiOr.
Year: 1874

thing come from, I'd like to know p
she shrieked out, seizing hold of the
funny flannel night-cap that was perched
up on top of the foot post, and she gave
it vicious jerk, breaking the string
that held in pucker the back part of it,
and it slipped down over the post. En-.
ragged, she pulled at it violently, tore il
of, and twisting it up in q little wad
threw it at the 'Squire's head. ''Cleal
out, I say both of you prowling dogs ;
and she stamped her little foot very
much in earnest and followed them to
the head of the stairs.


"Mrs. Bobbett, my dear woman,
began the Squire, apologetically.


"Away with you don't you go to
Mrs. Bobbettin me !" said she, and she
made the dearest little fist, which she
extended in the direction of his face.
He lodged his head, as if a wasp was
coming that way, and the two men
shambled off down stairs. She lay
prone on the floor in her dire distress
and cried "rivers of tears" tears OF
sorrow, and modification, anger and
spite, and grief, and disappointment.
But time brought an end to her agony
she grew calm and her sorrow was OF
the subdued kind. While she lay on
the floor sobbing, her brother Ira was
lying on the floor too, down in the sit
tilg-room, and he was giving expression
to the exaltation that lifted him higher
than he'd ever been before.


No danger now, he thought, of the
poor orphan, Ira Josephus, being
turned out of house and home, to make
room for Squire Wilkins. sold
sold r. he calculated, as he lay on his
broad back and kicked his heels up i'll
in the air and gesticulsted with his
brawny fists. "Oh, that was rich but
my didn't her eyes blaze, and her
cheeks glow she looked like harnsom
fury" and in his inexpressible exuber-
ance of Joy he beat his breast, shook
his head and acted like crazy man.


We don't know how the brother and
sister settled the affair and became
good friends again, but we know it to
be the case, and that they live together
as snug as two chatty little mice. and
she ''smiles again." and swings her
bonny curls bewitchingly, and is as
happy as the days are long.


Squire Wilkins married that red
headed widow, with the lame boy, who
used to live on the farm he sold after
he came to the village. She and Widow
Bobbett are friends, and they gossip
and sip tea together in the summer
evenings. and see a great deal of COM
fort. We don't know whether Squire
planned his rooms after those in Rose
Cottage, or not, but we guess by the
twinkle in his gray eyes that he often
laughs over the ridiculous figure he
cut, crawling around under the bed of
the widow. Betsey Bobbett.
Year: 1874

WHAT A HORSE HAD FOR LUNCHEON
A bakers cart one day stopped before
q house in Boston, aud the driver went
in to see what the family wanted.
Prstty soon he came out, opened q
drawer in the back part of his cart,
where he kept his cakes and pies, and
took out some good things. He put
them in his basket, and went into the
house with them but he forgot to shut
the drawer.


Now, little way behind the baker
owner had gone into another house. As
soon as this horse saw that the baker
had left his drawer open, he walked up
to it, put his nose in, and rummaged
around among the pies and cakes /; and,
when the baker came out, the horse had
finished sheet of gingerbread, and
was eating an cpple-ple with great
relish.


He began to back off when he saw the
baker coming. Perhaps he thought he
should be called upon to pay for the
apple pie or perhaps he thought, as
the baker did, that apple-pies were
rather too expensive for a horses lun.
cheon.


There was another horse, that used to
be driven into a street beside the
Quincy Market in Boston, and left tC
stand there while his master was attend
ing to his business. Along the street,
at the edge of the sidewalk, there were
sometimes rows of barrels with molasses
in them. In each barrel was a hole
with stick stuck in it /; SO that people
who wanted to buy barrel of molasses
could taste it to see if it was good.


Now, this horse was as fond OF mo
lasses as anybody. So, when there was
nobody to hinder him, he would walk
along, take the stick in his teeth, pull
it out. and lick it clean. Then he
woald drop the stick, and walk along
to another barrel The men near by
used to watch him often, and laugh
heartily to see horse lick molasses.


"a friend of mine, whom / will cal
''Mr. Smith," once had a little colt,
which was the pet of his children They
named him Charley, and used to delight
In feeding him with bread and cakes
and Jumps of sugar. Charley liked Sc
well to eat from their hands, that be
would leave the grass-plat in the yard
and walk right into the house, if h,
saw the children there. So Mr.. Smitl
had bar put across the open doorway
to keep him out for Mrs. Smith die
not like to have a horse in the kitchen


Charley lived to be very old horse
He was never beaten, nor left hungry
or thirsty. He was never allowed Il
draw a load that was too heavy, no.
hurried too much in hot weather. And
when the good horse and his maste
had grown old together, the boys, 'who
had now grown to be men, bought {
young horse to do the work on th'
farm, so that old Charley might have
an easy time as long as he lived. Wa,
not that q good way to treat a faithful
horse?
Year: 1874

Only flower" the rich man said,
When he trod it down I his careless walk;
But his little daughter raised its head,
And tenderly held the rokon stAlk


And from its place by the dusty way,
She carried it hsme TO her garden small,
And set it where, from day to day
Sunlight and shadow would ON it fall.
1t lived and thrived in the garden small.
And when the autumn winds were chill,
And the roses died il the frosty air
The hardy wild flower blossomed still.
The little maiden often smiled
To see it bloom when the rose was dead
And the father watching his happy child,
This sermon short in the blossom read
Too often We crush with orr careless feet
The flowers of love in our paths that blow.
And that, cherished, would open foil ant


sweet


When summer blossoms were lying low.