smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

The question of how naval battle would now be fought is often raised, but is exceedingly difficult to answer. One thing is certain-the hostile squadrons will be kept in rapid motion for the pur- pose of efecting as well as evading an attack by ram, which will be the first object sought after. Thus the distance of the enemy will be varying constantly, and @ correct estimation of the range will be almost impossible therefore, the chance of hitting at any particular part will be very small. It will be seen that upon the judgment and nerve of the of- ficer in command will now, more than ever, depend the issue of an engagement. The speed of the ships, the necessity of closely watching every movement of the enemy so as instantly to make the proper counter-move, the absolute need of prompt decision, will prevent moment for reflection or consultation. The helm and the engines must be under the cap- tain's instant control. He and those by him on deck will alone be able to see the enemy at the frequent times when he is obscured by smoke from the battery be- low, and to distinguish between friend and foe and his quick perception will be requisite to determine the proper di- rection and range for his guns, as well as avoid firing into friends. The extreme importance of the life of the officer in command of 8 squadron, so long as the battle lasts, must also be apparent. In the old wars, the skill, judgment and de- termination of our naval commanders were chiefly exhibited by the manner in which they sought out their adversaries and brought them to battle. Hostile fleets were sometimes in sight of each other for days-calms, light winds, or fogs preventing their approach-each commander endeavoring by skilful sea- manship to gain the weather-ga But the action fairly commenced, there was little manmuvring was hard fighting; the ships were laid alongside an enemy, and the valor of our sailors settled the matter. If the captain were disabled, the duty of his successor was simple and self-evident if he were incompetent, his deficiencies could be made up by his principal officers; if he lacked courage, his men supplied the want. Nelson's genius had made all the necessary dis positions for battle both at the Nile and Trafalgar long before the action com menced; the captains had only to steer their ships for their allotted adversary and the rest was done by the crew. Had Nelson been killed by the first shot fired at Trafalgar, the issue of the battle would have been the same. But how different now From the beginning to the end of an action rapid and constant manoeuvrlng will be required the ships must be kept firmly in hand and skilfully guided ; all the best experience of the Admiral will be in continual request, and should he be killed or disabled at 6 critical mo- ment, the consequences would probably be most serious. It is not too much to say that the result of naval engagement in these days will depend entirely upon the skill of the superior officers, in de- fault of which the courage and discipline of the crews will avail little.
Year: 1878

A careful study of the very numerous suits for divorce which are tried in our courts, leads one to the conclusion that prolific source of these suits is to be found in the marriage of persons on 1n- sufficient acquaintance. During the days of courtship both parties, as the phrase is, put their best foot forward each seeks to appear to the utmost pos sible advantage in the estimation of the other. This renders it more difficult than it would otherwise be for them to form a just and accurate estimate of each others character but it ought, at the same time, to engender an extra degree of caution aga1nst forming, in haste, too favorable an estimate.

 "What do yoR@t think of MT. -" was asked of afFexperienced man of the world. What opportunity have had to judge of his character ?'' was the re- sponse; "I have only seen him as the suitor for the hand of young lady of whom he is enamored. Of course he appeared vel under those circum- stances. He could hardly do otherwise. But to form any correct estimate of him, should want to see him in difficulties and under trials. I have no means of judging how he would appear then.'

 Much food for thought is furnished by these suggestive remarks of an ob- serving man.

 The hesitating prolongation of court ships for an indefinite and inofdinate length of time is wholly unjustifable. On the other hand, 8 marriage without thor ough preliminary acquaintance is liable and likely to lead to the most deplora- ble results. Marriage is regarded, at best, ,sas 8 venture, which is inevitably attended with some degree. of risk; but that is no reason for voluntarily closing one's eyes and wllfully making it leap in the dark.

 Never get married-never become en- gaged-says the Ledger, until you feel certain that of the marriage, or the en- gagement you will not repent. If you are in doubt, and cannot solve your doubt, then avoid the new relation rather than to enter into it surrounded by distressing uncertainties.
Year: 1878

A good wife rose from her bed one morn, And thought, with nervous dread, Of the piles of clothes to be washed and more Than dozen mouths to be fed There were meals to get for the men in the

 field,

 And the children to fix away To school, and the milk to be skinned and

 churned,

 And all to be done that day. It had rained in the night. and all the wood Was as wet as wet could be; There were buildings and pies to bake, besides A lot of cake for tea. The day was hot, and her aching head Throbbed wearily, as she said: "H maidens but knew what good wives know They would be in no haste to wed! p Jennie, what do you think told Ben Brown?" Called the farmer from the well; And flush crept up to his bronzed brow And his eyes half bashfully fell. It was this" he said, and, coming near, He smiled, and stopping down, Kissed her cheek-"'twas this that you were

 the best

 And dearest wife in town" The farmer went back to the field, and the

 Wne,

 In smiling and absent way, Sang snatches of tender little songs She'd not sung for many day. The pain in her head was gone, and the clothes Were as white as the foam of the sea Her bread was light and her butter was sweet And as golden as it could be. Just think '' the children all cried in

 breath, "Tom Wood has run off to seal He wouldn't, know, if he only had As happy home as we.'' The night came down, and the good wife

 smiled To herself as she softly said: "'Iis so sweet to labor for those we love, !" It's not strange that maids will we'd"
Year: 1878

AN INTERNAL MAoH1NE.-A tale of in- compatibility and internal machinery comes from Holyoke Dam, in the noble old commonwealth of Massachusetts. A man who recently brought suit for di- vorce, received on Monday, by express, cigar-box neatly wrapped in brown paper. The end of wire caught his eye and he suspected foul play so he placed the box on the bank of the canal and fired stones at it. The bottom fell out and the box was found to contain cans filled with gunpowder. shot and lead slugs, and surmounted by percussion caps arranged so as to fit hammers that were sprung by wires attached to the cover.
Year: 1878

THE STARs.-A little five-year-old could not quite understand why the stars did not shine one night when the rain was pouring down in torrents. She stood at the window pondering on the subject with as much gravity as Calico when he looked at the swinging lamp in the ca thedral at Pisa, and with equal success, for all at once her countenance lighted up, and she said "Mother, I know why the stars don't shine. God has pulled them all up so as to let the water come through the holes.'
Year: 1878




Two African farmers, returning from
hunting the hartebeest, reused a leo
pard in a mountain ravine, and imme-
diately gave chase to him. The leopard
at first endeavOred to escape by clam
bering up a precipice; but being hOtly
pressed, and wounded by a musket ball,
he turned upon his pursuers with that
frantic ferOcity peculiar to this animal
on such emergencies, and springing on
the man who had fired at him, tore him
from his horse to the ground, biting
him at the same time on the shoulder,
and tearing one Of his cheeks severely
with his claws. The other hunter, see
ing the danger of his comrade, sprang
from his horse and attempted to shoot
the leopard through the head; but,
whether owing to trepidatiOn, or the
fear of wounding his friend, or the
quick motions Of the animal, he unfOr-
tunately missed. The leopard, aban-
dOning his PROSTATE enemy, darted with
redOubled fury upon his second antag-
Onist, and so fierce and sudden was his
onset, that before the bOOr could stab
him with his hunting knife, the savage
beast struck him on the head with his
claws, and actually tore the scalp over
his eyes. In this frightful condition
the hunter grappled with the leopard,
and struggling for life, they rolled to-
gether down a steep declivity. Before
the man who had been first attacked
could start to his feet and seize his gun,
they had fallen together down the bank.
In a moment he had reloaded his gun,
and rushed forward to save the life Of
lis friend. Bnt it was too late. The
leopard had seized the unfortunate man
by his throat, and his cOmrade had only
the satisfaction of completing the de-
struGtiOn Of the beast, already exhaust
ed with the loss Of blood from several
deep wounds by the knife Of the expir-
ing Penny Magdzine.
Year: 1878

The Poultry World would give the


boys a chance in the interests and oc-


cupatiOns Of the farm, and recommends


in the article below, and very properly,


that the poultry yard should be given


them in charge as an amateur field for


business experience:


It is one Of the most promising indi-


cations OF character when a boy shows


a disposition to earn something. This


desire to hold something in fee-simple


is the very opposite of trampisnl.


Among boys, the enjoyment of owning,


buying and selling, is very keen, and


is often gratifed in the getting of


knives, old watches and trinkets, and


making exchanges with each other.


Who does not remember the wonderful
dicker and trade of his boyhOod? It
was only the beginning of a develop
ment, or, rather, a self-education. This
matter should not be permitted to go
without some guidance. Parents and
guardians should take an interest in it,
not exercising a meddling interference.
but inspiring confidence, so as to be
able to cooperate, plan and watch the
results.


Now comes a scheme that IS just
right. How can we teach a boy busi-
ness habits better than by giving him
an opportunity TO "run" a hennery?
The accounts must be accurately kept;
there must be buying and selling; there
must be bantering; there ought to be
pr9fH A miniature business springs
up, and, inasnuch as it is real, why is
it not as good as a business-college2 1t
may be better; for it may prevent
spending time in the streets, or away
from home, perhaps among questiOna-
bic companions. A love of home is
fOstered by the ownership Of flowers,
small fruits and poultry. A fondness
for the finest things produced in our
cultivate them, if belonging
to the vegetable kingdom; to breed,
foster, and pet them, if belonging to
the animals not only a source Of keen
enjoyment, but indicates good traits
and a certain elevation of character
above that which is british. Young
people should be deftIy guided, step by
step, through pleasant paths, with here
and there a little job Of earnest work,
made easy by social frOlic and recrea-
ton, which come after in their proper
place. With a little encouragement,
boys may become quite familiar with
The points Of excellence in high-class
poultry, pigeons, and other pets, and
learn the best methods of breeding and



They may learn when and where to
purchase supplies to the best adyan-
.age, and how to sell the surplus pro-
ducts so as to give the most profit with
-he least expense. A pleasant self-re-
lance and good business habits may be
at the same time, a love
for nature, for refinement and human
.ty.
Year: 1878

We bury our youth, our health and
our strength; and we only come 10 grief
when we Try to resucitate the dead and
forget the chain of years that we have
forged between then and now. The
long walk, the days hunting, the
nights dance, the cold bath, and the
half hours swim, the imprudent food,
and the reckless exposure to the sun
and the rain, the wind and the snow
all these things are among the buried
dead Of our possibilities, and we must
accept them as memories only, never
again to be living facts. And why not
bury the remembrance of past pains, past
enmities, of the quarrel that has been
verbally made up, the offence once Of
fered and since atOned fOr2 Some peo-
rle never bury these things. They
say that they forgive, but they keep
their dead displeasure, as the dwarfs
kept Rosercd's pretty body, with a glass
window in the coffin, by which they
could lnOk in and watch her whenever
they chose. No; there is no good in
that. Collins with glass windows in
the mare mistake. Let US bury the dead
things Of life deep in good honest soil,
plant flowers on them, so that the place
where they lie shall not be barren nOI
disGgured; make of each mistake, eacL
sad experience, a means for future
good and truth and beauty; and go on
always on-till we come to the end,
when we ourselves shall be among the
dead and buried, some Of us remain
ing as beautiful remembrances, ever
enshrined in honor and delight; Some
Of US standing out in the backward
vista, as but sorrOwful mistakes, like
blind creatures who have missed their
way; or children of sorrow, brought up
under the hard tutelage Of pain, and
never suffered to escape the hand Of
that stern teacher, that cruel monitor.
-Ouesn.
Year: 1878

When taken off the skins are sailed,
and sent nome in that condition. On
arrival they are properly cured, and
then comes the preparation needed for
their conversion into what is popularity
called the "seal-skin." 1t is difficult
to conceive how that beautiful article
of dress can ever be manufactured out
of the unattractiye object The skin pre-
sents at this juncture. It is hard and
unyielding as a board, and the stiff,
coarse hairs cover the fur so completely
thatits very existence might be doubt
ed. The problem to be solved is how
to separate the hair from the under fur.
For many years each individual hair
was pIucked out severally, at, Of course,
a great expenditure of time and money,
until lucky accident revealed TO the
dressers that the roots of the hair were
more deeply seated than the roots Of
the fur. Now, therefore, after prelimi-
nary preparations, the skins are laid,
hair downward, upon a wooden block
with a curved surface, and plred down
with a knife until the roofs Of the hairs
have been cut through, and the skin is
very little thicker than a kid glove.
AL the COarser hair can then be brush
ed off with the hand, leaving the fur,
which is then seen to be arranged in
small curls of light brown color, vary
ing slightly in shade in the parts. In
consequence, nearly all the ''seal-skin"
is dyed before it is sold, and in the pro-
cess of dyeing the curls untwist them
selves, and the fur becomes smooth and
ready for use.
Year: 1878

When you mount the stand be puz'
zled to know where to put your hat,
Look around as though you were quite
cool ana collected, and suddenly put
your hat on the floor. Turn then to the
audience, pass your fingers lightly and
gracefully through your hair, and say
FellOw-citizensI'-extend your right
hand-put your left on yOnr vest, on
whichever side it is your private Opin-
ion your heart lies-sweu out your
chest as though all the gOddesses OF
liberty in the world had left their res
pective countries, but had taken board
and lodging in your expansive bosom,
and were now struggling to find their
way out Of the front door. Repress
their generous efforts for awhile, and
then out with them in blaze of glory.
The effect will be tremendous.
Year: 1878

1t takes a medical student to prove
that black is white. In Shoreditch,
England, a gentleman recently drove
up to public house and left his pony,
which was a milk-white steed, in charge
of boy, while he went indoors for five
minutes. When he reappeared the boy
was there and the buggy was there. but
in place of the milk-white steed, was a
pony as black as a beetle. The boy in
sisted that it was the same pony, and
could give no explanation Of the change
of complexion, save that a young medi-
cal gentleman had examined the animal
during the owners absence. The truth
was that the mischievous medical stu
dent had daubed the pony from head to
tail with coating of lamp-black. The
Englishman's astonishment was only
equalled by the dismav of an American
in a cemetery near Buffalo. After
leaving his horse at a litching-post for
half an hour he had resumed his seat
and attempted to make a start, when
10! the post appeared plump under the
tail, between breeChing and hindquar-
tiers. Bless mel'' exclaimed the dazed
gentleman, "did hitch the horse at
the wrong snd?"
Year: 1878

The spirit or soul Of man knows it
self to be capable, viii not say Of IN
limited, but of continuous progress
and development. However vigorous
the tree or the animal may be, it soon
reaches the point when it can grow no
more. The animal may have done its
best, it may have reached a high con-
ditiOn Of strength and beauty, but when
its limit is reached it can grow nomOre.
With the soul Of man as a living and
thinking power it is far otherwiss-he
has neYer exhausted himself. When
the man Of science has made some no
bic discovery, when the literary man
has written a great book, when the
statesman has carried a series Of impOr-
tant measures, we cannot say that he
has exhausted himself. The spiritual
man is indeed dependent on the mate
rial man, and as the body moves OF
toward decay and dissolution it extendE
something Of the influence of its weak
ness and incapacity to its spiritual COM
paIlOn; but even then the soul resists
this and sssETts its separate existence;
the mind Of man knows that each sep
aTate effort, instead Of exhausting his
powers, tend to strengthen them, and
50 he will go on continually making
larger and nObler and more vigorous eff
forts. So, too, is it with conscience and
duty; with these there is no inality.
One great act suggests another, one
sacrifice makes another easier; the vir-
tuOus impulse in the soul is not
like the growth in a tree-a self-ex-
hausting fOrce-but it is always NOV
ing on, always advancing. BE not
weary in Well-dOing'-this is the Ian
guage Of the Eternal to the human will;
butneveris 'Benot weary Of grOwingo
said to the tree or the animal, because
organic matter differs from spirit in
this that it does reach the limit Of its
activity and then turns backward
towards nOn-existence.-CanOn Lid
lon.
Year: 1878

The snowdrop is usually considered
the first spring flower. The bulb is
small, white, producing two or three
narrow linear leaves, which are
short at the time of Towering, but
which afterwards grow much longer;
usually green, but often edged with yel.
low or white. The flower is solitary,
nOdding on stem about four inches
long, and possesses a delicate agreea-
BILE perfume. The bulbs are so small
they should never be planted singly,
but always in clumps Of thirty or more
OF in triple VOWS. At first planting
place the bulbs an inch and a half apart,
and about two inches deep; they will
soon grow together from offsets and
from large clUmps. The beds should
be in the warmest, sunniest places, with
clumps in other parts Of the garden,
that a succession may be kept up; it IS
well to protect them during the winter
by a covering of two or three inches OF
coarse straw or litter; they do not re-
quire this, for the bulb is very hardy
but the more the frOstis kept out of the
ground the earlier will be the spring
bloom.
Year: 1878

The DevOnshire fashion of making


bread, says an English paper, has a


smack of steaming abOutit, is extremely


simple, and makes bread always well


cooked, and with less crust than Lon


don bakers bread usually has, since the


fire is made under, over, and around


tie dough. This is done by inverting


an iron pot of a semi-globular form over


an iron plate, usually called blackstone,


and the dough being inside rises to the


size and shape of the pot, the fire being


made with either straw or brushwOOd,


and the oven remains in the charcoal


embers until the bread is baked. How


many country families would be glad


of such a bakery, and how important


to youths of both sexes who may have
to cook kangaroo and eat it with home


baked hOurbread under other stars than
those which adorn our northern half Of
the heayensl In the Devon bread the
poor country c0ttager may get an eX-
cellent article, well suited to his cir
eumstances, baked at little cost with a


Wisp of straw or stubble or a faggOt Of
brushwoOd, and in the case of the Cow
entry improvement the system is sug-
gestiVe and the subject is one that will
bear discussion; and when we read Of the
French cooks having a hundred ways
of cooking eggs we need not wonder at
there being an equal number Of ways
by which bread corn may be converted
by milling and cooking from mere grass
seed into lOaves, cakes, and all kinds
of confectionery. The Devon system
confines the steam under the dome Of
the oven while baking, and this has to
do with the crust being spread all over
the loaf and not at top and bottom only,
as in the London cube-shaped lOaYes.
1 may name here that some housewives
bake the bread the last thing at night
and leave the loaf under th> pot and
under the charcoal or burnt straw all
night, and with very poor people, of
which there is never any lack, this
would, no doubt. be economical, for
have been told that before canals and
railroads came into existence among
us, bean straw was reckoned big timber
in some midland counties. is praise
worthy for the farmer to grow his own
fuel, but the West-countryman makes
sad work with trimming trees to pro-
iuce faggot wood. The canal boat and
she railway truck have done for the
iaggOt business in the North, but the
ashen faggOt bound with three withes
is still brought in on holiday times, and
as the bands burn, another cup of cider
IS served, until all three bands have
given way amid much homely mirth
md clamorous compliments, wishing
master and missus many years Of health
and happiness.
Year: 1878

Thoy are falling, slowly falling,


Thick upon the forest side
Severed from the noble branches


Where they waved in beauteOuS pride
They are falling in the valleys


Where the early yiolets spring,
And the binds in sunny Springtimo
First their dulcet music ring.
They are falling, sadly falling,


Close beside our cottage door
Pale and faded, like the loved ones
That have gone forever more.
They are falling, and the sunbeAms
Shine in beauty soft around;
Yet the faded leaves arc falling
Falling on The grassy mound.
They are ing on the streamlet
Where the silvery waters fOW,
And upon its placid bosom


Onward with the waters go.
They are falling in the churchy8rd
Where our kindred sweetIy sleep
Where the idle winds Of summer
Softly o'erthe loved ones sweep.
They arc falling, ever falling,


When the autumn breezes sigh
When the stars in beauty glisten
Bright upon the midnight sky.
They are falling when the tempest
Means like Oceal's hollow roar
When the tuneless winds and billOWs
Sadly sigh forever more.
They are falling, they are falling,
While our saddened thoughts still go
To the sunny days Of childhood,
In the dreamy long ago.
And their faded hues remind US
OF the blighted hopes and dreams
Faded ike the falling leaflets
CaEt upon the icy streams
Year: 1878

A recent examination Of the milk
sold in Chicago by a prominent physi-
clan and chemist elected some facts
as to the adulteratiOns of, milk in the
city. After analyzing large number
of samples Of milk sold to various hO-
tells and in different quarters of the
city, it was found, without exception,
not only deprived Of its cream, but
also watered. Estimating the whole
from these average samples, lie de-
clares it as his opinion, that the best
milk sold in the city is about One-fOurth
added water, from one-half to all Of its
cream taken away, and but one-6fth
Of the whole genuine milk.