smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1874

To be the first to communicate start


ling news is an ambition most of us
confess 10. There is fascination about
communicating the intelligence Of a
disaster that few of us can resist. We


hear that So-and-so is dead, and we
start at once for home. Everybody we


meet we stop to ask him how he does.


We say "how are you?" and say it so
calmly we are surprised at ourself. He
stops too and looks at us. The saluta-


ton is SO bare of those qualities that go
to enchain man that we suddenly feel
as if it would have been much better to
have communicated the intelligence at
once. The other party is standing ex-
pectantly and staring curiously at us.
In desperation at the time we are los
ing, we give him the news, experience
a thrill of gratitude at the shock it
gives him, and start on again.. The
nearer we reach home the greater our
fears that some one will get ahead of
us after all. How it nerves us ahead.


We reach the house; all of our eager
ness is gone. We remove our coat and
hat, and while we are hanging them up
and have our back to the audience, we
say very quietly: "That was rather
sudden death ~ "Death Who is dead 2'
is cried in a startling tone that makes
our very finger ends tingle with joy.
"Why hadn't you heard of it?" in a
tone of surprise. s'So-and,so is dead
just died." Do ef9 a.a 9-f tGs


Sometimes So-and-so is reported dJ-
ing-suddenly stricken with fatal dis
ease, and we put for hsme with the
same eagerness; and when we have
succeeded in being first with the news
there comes that after all he may not
die. 1t tortures us in spite of all reason
ing, and having set forth in glowing
colors the great danger he is in, and
how sad it is to be for his family, and
so enlarged upon all the awful features
of the coming catastrophe that there
remains nothing more to add, we feel
in a certain sense responsible for his
carrying out the programme. How
eagerly we watch every intelligence of
him, and how impatiently we wait for
his taking off. As his symptoms grow
more and more unfavorable we grow
louder and more pathetic in our sympa-
thy; should he commence to mend we
feel the sympathy oozing from us, and
in its stead comes the horrible suspic-
ion that he may possibly recover in
spite of all. 1t doesn't seem possible
that man who has given out that he
is going to die can have the face to get
well again. But there are people who
do it, although We mention no names.
-Ddnbury Ne,cs.
Year: 1874

One Of the best jury stories comes
to us from California. The jury was
out for some time, when tho Sheriff
had been dispatched by the Court to
zee if they were likely TO agroe. lie
found them performing q sort of tri-
umphai march round q big bottle of
whiskey, from which they had oil
been copiously imbibing, to tho mus.
ic Of fife and drum, the latter in.
strument being borne on the back Of
the foreman and vigorously pounded
by the next juror, while Tho rest of
the happy band were singing. eve
couldn't agroe upon verdict no.
how" was this affable foreman's ex.
planation to tho Court, "and We
didn't think it was any hurt for to
have social time s'long's We was q
congenl party"
Year: 1874

A Boston despatch to the New
York Times:-The bright little TEL
low known to theater-goers in New
York as well as here "as the child
violinist" died during last night very
suddenly, of heart disease. He was
one of the most attractive features OF
the representation of the Naidd


Queen, now on the Boston Theatre
stage, playing his violin and leading
the orchestra nightly, with all the
vivacity and spirit OF an adult leader.
He went through his part as usual
yesterday afternoon, and it was only
as he came off the stage that Mr..
Shewell, the manager of the Boston
Theatre, noticed a look of fatigue
and an air of languor in the lad.
Laying his hand kindly in the little
fellows shoulder, he ask him if he
was i'll, but he answered cheerfully
that he was all right, though little
tired Mr.. Shewcll, however, advis-
ed him not to come to the perform
ance in the evening, and cautioned
his father against bringing him. Ae-
cordingly he staid at home at his
lodging last night, but much against
his will, persisting that nothing allied
him. Father and son retired early,
the lad being bright and cheerful and
complaining of ne bad feeling. But
early in the night the father was
awakened by the sound of the lads
voice, and says he distinguished, after
waking, some such words as these -
"Merciful God, make room for little
fellow" Supposing the lad was talk
ing in his sleep, he spoke to him with
the intention of rousing him, but re-
ceived no answer. Then he became
alarmed, and shouting to the boy, he
discovered with grief and horror that
he was dead He was a bright and
handsome child, a marvel of musical
precOcity, and perfect enthusiast in
his profession, as those who have
seen him at Niblo's, in New York,
can testify He was passionately
fond of music, and it was his constant
thought-his life. His name was
james G.. Spraisht He was born in
England, and came to this country
with his father about two years ago.
He was not quite seven years of age.
He was general favoriteI with the
company at the Boston Theatre, and
was petted and praised by every
BODY.
Year: 1874

A contri butor to Nature furnishes
the annexed: "The following notice
of shower of black rain, which has
been sent 10 me by my friend, Mr..
Walker, of North Villa, near Worces-
ter, though not exact in its description
as / could have wished, may call at
tention to the subject, and elicit
more detailed account, if in this unye-
nial season rain of q similar nature
has fallen elsewhere. Mr.. Walkers
residence is about three miles south
east of Worcester, and be says, that
after three or four hours of common
rain on Tuesday, June 6, it became
suddenly dark about seven O'Clock
p. m. and shortly after rain like ink
poured down for quarter of an
hour, after which light returned upon
the scene. The following morning
the sheep at Woodhall(an adjoining
FARM appeared as if their feeces had
been dyed black; also the dog and
gray pony Mr. Walker had out in a
field close by, appeared as if they had
been rolling in SCOT or in a coal hole.
The black matter brought down with
the rain was of an adhesive nature,
and ut Littleworte, within mile Of
Norton, where this rain fell into some
tubs, it was observed to be as black
as ink. This black rain was Darticu-
larry remarked, as clear ordinary rain
had been falling for some hours on
the day mentioned, but had ceased
an hour previous to the commence
ment ofthe black downfall. The act
ual rain of that evening did not ex-
tend to Worcester, but | have a note
taken at my residence here at the
time, that the gloom was singular
and overpowering all the evening.
/ regret, that going into Hertford-
shire next day, / was not aware
of this occurrence until some days
after, and none Of the black rain or
the adhesive matter brought down
had been preserved for mieroscopical
examination.
Year: 1874




o ye fathers aud mothers who
have sons and daughters growing up
around you, do you ever think Of the
responsibility in this regard-your
responsibility for keeping alive the
home sentiments in the hearts Of
your children Within the limits Of
your means, remember the obligation
rests ON you to make their homo the
pleasantcst place upon this rolling
earth to make the word "home" for
them q synonym of "hsppiness."
| would not have ysu import the
vices Of the out side world into your
homes for any purpose but ! would
have you go to the utmost verge Of
what is moral, to provide at home
those things which entice young and
growing persons away from home
Let me assure you that you had bet
ter spend your money in doing this
than in austentation or luxury, and
far, far better spend il thus, than to
amass fortune for your children to
SIudIbti VA bAc iubult. <1hN uOb
only as regards amusements, but also
comfort and Recommendation children
have a keen appreciation Of these
thlngs-this is much the best policy.
Don't send your boy to school in i'll


fitting garments, collar all avry and
chatting his neck, buttons missing,
and shoes down at the heels. Don't
make a warehouse or clothes press Of
his bedroom. Don't feed him on
sour bread, and tough meet and burnt
coffee. Don't let noise and dissen-
sion and misrule spoil the hours be
spends at home. Don't do anv Of
these things, ifyou can possibly avoid
it; especially don't do them for the
purpose of laying up money for his
future use.


The richest legacy you can leave
him is a lifelong inextinguishable
and fragrant recollection of his home,
when time and death have forever
dissolved the enchantment. Give
him that, and he will, in the strength
OF it make his own way in the world
but let his reccOllections of home be
repulsive, and the fortune you may
leave him will be a poor compensation
for the loss ofthat tenderness Of heart
and purity Of life which not only
pleasant home, but the memory of
one, would have secured. Remem-
Der this, too, that while he will new
er feel greatful for your money when
once you are under the ground, he
will go to your green grave and bless
your very ashes for that sanctuary
Of quiet comfort and refinement into
which you may, if you possess H..
means. transform YOUR home.
Year: 1874

The detection Of the Washington
Chronicle, heretofore one of the most
faithful Of the organs Of the Republican
party, is n notable change. News
papers of the Chronicle type do not
usually reverse their position without
substantial backing. It's present sncers
may either be budding independence or
an expression of the feelings of u large
Republican faction.
Year: 1874

We, the white people of Louisiana,
embracing the Democratic party, the
Conservative party, the White Mans
party, the Liberal party, the Reform
party, and all Others opposed to the
Kellogg usurpation, do solemnly re-
solve and declare


1. That the Government now exist
ing in Louisiana originated in and has
been maintained by force and fraud in
opposition to the will of large major
ity of the voters of the State, in OPPOSE
tion to the principles of the constitu-
ton of the United States, and in viola
tion of every principle of justice and
liberty.


3. That the dominant faction of the
Radical party in this State has, by false
and fraudulent representation, intiamed
the passions and prejudices of the
negroes as race against the whites,
and has thereby made it necessary for
the white people to unite and act
together in self-defense and tor the
preservation of white civilization.
3. That the rights of all men under
the constitution and laws of the land
must be respected and preserved invio-
late, irrespective of race, color or previ-
Gus condition, but we deny that Con-
gress can constitutionally enact laws 10
force the two races into social union or
equality.


i. That the white people of Louisiana
have no dssire to deprive the colored
people of any rights to which they are
entitled, but we are convinced that the
reforms imperatively demanded can be
effected only by electing to office white
men of known capacity and integrity,
and we believe that large numbers of
colOreG citizens will vote with us to
secure Il government which must be
beneficial alike to both races.


5. That we disclaim earnestly any
intention Of carrying or attempting to
carry the approaching election by vio-
lcncc, and that charges to this effect,
emanating from Radical enemies, are
without foundation, and are falsely
made for the purpose of obtaining the
aid of the military forces Of the United
States, in order to ovcraWe the people
and perpetuate the existing usurpation
and subvert the true principles of the
government.


6. That w. p. Kellogg is mere
usurper, and we denounce him as such; !;
that his government is arbitrary, unjust
and oppressive, and that it can naint tain
itself only through Federal intcrfcr-
ence.


7. That the election and registration
laws, under which this election is being
conducted, were intended to perpetuate
the ,isurpation by deprivi inc people,
and especially our naturalized citizens,
of an opportunity to vote, but we
announce distinctly that it is the
determination of the people to have
fair and free election, and to see that
the result is not changed by. fraud or
violence.


s. That we extend to all our race, in
every cline, the right hand of fellow
ship and a cordial invitation to come
and settle among us, and unite their
destinies with ours.


8. That while we are in favor of meet
ing punctually the payment of the legi-
innate debt of Louisiana, we are
immovably opposed to the recognition
of the dishonest and fraudulent Obliga-
tions issued in the name of the State land
we pledge ourselves to makea searching
investigation in the matter. We advise
our people to vote against the amend
ments to the constitution.
Year: 1874

When person is detected surreptitiously
gathering up all the papers within reach and
stealthily retiring to his own room with them,
he IS understood to be The man who said he'd
rather cut his right hand off than read any
thing about the Beecher Scandal.
Year: 1874




Never give up old friends for new
ones. Make new ones if you like, and
when You have learned that you can
trust them. love them II ysu will, but
remember the old ones still. Do not
forget they have been tried and found
true; that they have been merry with
you in time Of pleasure. and when sor.
row came to you they serrowed also.
No matter if they have gone dswn in
the social scale, and you up; no mat.
ter if poverty and misfortune have come
to them. while prosperity and plenty
have fallen to you-are they any the
less true for that Are not their hearts
- warm and tender If they do beat
beneath hone-spun instead Of velvet !?
Yes. kind friends. they are Is true, and
lender, and loving, and don't forget old
friends. I
Year: 1874

LOUISVILLE, Nov. 17.-There seems to
be some doubt whether young DR.. Easton,
who was found shot through the abdo-
men near Lexington, KY, yesterday
morning, was one OF the party who made
the raid upon the negro cabin and was
shot by accident, or was deliberately
murdered by the party. He died last
night without making any statement in
tegard 10 the matter. a special 10 tho
Courier journal says that Judge Hunt in.
structed the grand jury to investigate the
affair to the bottom, and declared he will
hold court until Christmas, il necessary 10
bring the offenders TO justice. The press
OF Lexington are unanimous for a
prompt and decisive action. The negro
whom the party were in search OF when
Easton was killed was a bad character
and suspected hog thief, but the news.
papers In speaking Of tho crime says: II
his presence was dangerous, and if he
could be proved to be o common thief as
charged, there was legal remedy, and
the adoption OF any other means by the
regulators or Ku.KIux was crime against
the peace Of society, which should
meet with the severest punishment. This
negro was not hurt, but another innocent
negro was slightly wounded.
Year: 1874

The leading Presbyterian papers ap-
pear to dislike the effort Of the more ex-
elusive party in the Illinois Synod to Try
Professor SWINGS case over again after
he has left that body. The majority
vote against him came from minority
OF the members, most Of whom staid
away from want of sympathy with the
proceeding, and the whole drift Of opinion
among thoughtful Presbyterians seems to
be against such ecclesiastical trials as at
tempt to put down able and earnest men
who preach practical Christianity sin-
cerely without fully accepting the letter
Of the old articles Of belief in all respects.
We infer from the tone oi the leading
organs here that such men as WILLIAM
ADAMS and HOWARD Crosby would have
nothing to do with any effort that might
be made 10 Crush a man like DAVID
SWING.
Year: 1874

Gov. Garland sent the following tele.
gram to his counsel In Washington, dated


Yesterday at Little Rock: "All Is peace
and quiet here, perfectly go. I will have
no collision unless 1t be forced upon me
BY resisting the process Of law, or at.
tscking me. All classes OF people and all
parties are supporting me. cannot hnd
smith and his party 10 arrest them with
Year: 1874

be sure you hold the jarro above your
head with both hands, aud pour the
water down your throat in a. refreshing
stream, for your manners are voted sim
ply indecent If you touch the brim with
your lips AS regards education, the
lower classes have absolutely none.
Seventy pr cent. can neither read nor
write. There are no schools to speak
of in the interior; oven for the higher
classes there are no governesses, and it
is no uncommon thing to find we'll
born lady not very well up to writing
letter The lower orders are, OF course,
grossly superstllious. Fortune tellers
abound. There is, however, vast deal
Of natural courtesy, natural wit, natura
intelligence. Uncultured and unedu-
Gated as he is, the Spanish poor man
has the manners of thorough gentle
man.
Year: 1874

As a matter of fact, these eternal af.
affairs last. in general way, until one
os the contracting parties marries their
ideal of man-and no longer. But
while they do continue in full bloom they
are things not to be spoken lightly of.
The friends are friends to positively
alarming extent. Many and desperate
are their vows and declarations. No man
shall sever them in the burden OF their
song, Admitting that they may be
trapped into matrimony, which, by the
way, is most remote contingency,
their husbands shall only have the sec
ond place IN their affections is their
declaration. They care about no ore
but each other, and this they render evi.
dent by attempting to snub or treat with
every ten people with whom they are
brought in contact. One cannot have a
thought without the other being made
acquainted with it; one cannot get a
new shawl or new dress without the
other longing to procure one OF a pre-.
cisely similar pattern. OF secrets they
possess countless number and of each
secret they are co-possessors. Traces of
these secrets are ever coming to the sur
face. You cannot be in the company of
the fair damsels for one hour without
being unpleasantly informed that some
people do not think so much of you as
you are in the habit of thinking OF your
self, and that there are many mysteries
in circulation which must be left mystic
ries so far as you are concerned. The
love the fair creatures bear each other is
often bubbling up, and thousand little
endearments and caresses are INDUCED
in which very quickly enable people to
form an opinion as to the state of the
case. A large portion of the " friends !
time is spent in selecting gifts for each
other. The brooches, the charms, the
earrings. the bracelets they wear, are all
marks of the ;nteEse affection in which
they are mutually held. They cannot
be separated without experiencing the
keenest pangs and inhicting an i'm
mense amount of labor upon the post
Office officials, for which those function
aries are, no doubt, sufficiently grateful.
All this would be very beautiful were it
not for several important facts. In q
general way the display of affection, in
its most exuberant developments, is
nothing more nor less than simple ai-
fectation. 1t is one Of the crazes to
which young ladies of sentimental
turn of mind seems to be addicted, and
which is invariably generated by the
reading of mawkish books or some flaw
in the system of EDUCATION which has
been pursued in reference to them. For
tunately, it does not last long.
Year: 1874

The physical heroism displayed by


Casibianea in remaining upon burning
deck, whence all but he had fed, is sur


passed by the moral gallantry of an Iowa


youth, who, in the face Of an extraordi-
nary opposition, stood alone by the
standard of a leader, whose followers are
numerous though his friends are few
Casibianca had to endure but a few mo-
ments of flame torture, waiting for the
coming Of burst of thunder loud to
scatter his little body about as food for
fishes and translate his soul to the king
dom of heaven; while the Iowa lad vol
UNFAIRLY stood out against the appeals of
his pastor and the frowns of his godly
neighbors, to declare in the sanctuary
that he wanted to go to hell. The diff
ference in the degree of Casibianca's he
roism and that Of the Iowa lad is just
the difference between a temporary and
an eternal roasting. The devils dutiful
follower resides in Wright county. There
the reviyalist had been welding his
sickle on a ripened field, gathering the
harvest into the granary of the master.
But as some sheayes in the actual har-
vest fall by the wayside and are lost, and
some escape the sickle and stand until
death destroy them, so in this spiritual
harvest, the lad was not garnered. At
one of the Lords husking bees the lead
er asked all the workers who hoped to
go to heaven to arise. 1t was an invita-
tion TO which saint or sinner might re-
spond, and all rose save one-the heroic
lad who would rather die than desert his
colors. He occupied a seat close to the
goodly Northumberland 5 own gran
ger-who led the hosts, but he budged
not. To assure himself that the lad was
really perverse and cared not to troop
with angels and twang upon a harp, the
Lords patron of husbandry babe the
congregation resume their seats, and then
proposed that all who wanted to 90 to
hell should rise. Slowly, solemnly, that
lad came to his feet; stolidly, in the pres
cnCC Oi LHe tlecl, ne StOOA tnefe, Sole
candidate for the dominion of the devil


The good people were 40 shocked at the
apparent deprayity Of the boy that they
grew alarmingly excited, and the meet
ing, at one time 80 calm in the confidence
of inheriting heaven, broke up with
something of the wild disorder of an
Episcopal convention. The next day
the boy was arrested, charged with dis
turbing religions meeting, but his
friend, the devil, prompted the magis-
trate before whom lac was arraigned to
take such n view of the case as secured
his acquittal. The magistrate remarked
that the evidence pointed 10 the fact that
the congregation were given the option
of standing or keeping their seats, ac-
cording as they preferred heaven or hell.
The bulk of the meeting were bent on
bliss, and rose to express their preference
A fraction, a very small, but by no means
vulgar fraction, indicated his wish, hav-
ing been invited to do so. If disorder
resulted, he was not legally responsible;
if he wanted TO go to hell, the laws of
Iowa would not interfere. Set at liberty,
he now placidly awaits the hot corner
which hospitable and grateful devil
will provide for Chicago Times.
Year: 1874

Almost everybody knows that citizens
of Delaware are often called in cant
term, "Blue Hens Chickens" but there
are few persons, perhsps, who are aware
of the origin of the phrase. \ certain
Captain Caldwell, who was an officer Of
the 1st Delaware regiment in the war of
the Revolution, was greatly distinguish
ed for his daring and undaunted spirit.
He was exceedingly popular in the regi-
ment, and its high state of discipline
was generally conceded to be due to his
exertions. Caldwell was exceedingly
fond of cock fighting, and he kept large
number of game fowls for the purpose.
When the officers of the regiment were
sent upon recruiting service to enlist
new men in order to fill vacancies caused
by death or otherwise, it was a saying
that they had gone home for more OF
Caldwell's game cocks. Caldwell had a
theory that no cock could be truly game
unless the mother was blue hen, and so
the name "Blue Hens Chickens" was at
last given to the regiment, and finally to
the people of the State of Delaware.