smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

A man named McNulty died recently in California who had been rich and poor, it is said, at least twenty times, dying poor at last. He had been very shrewd and enterprising, but somehow he could not keep fortune after he had acquired it. An example of his sudden conception and execution is mentioned at Sacramento, twenty-five years ago, when the entire business part of the town was burned. He was then wealthy, and owned many of the largest stores there. As he saw his property vanish ing in flames, instead of grieving over the disaster, he went to the nearest livery stable, hired fast horse, mounted him, rode all night, and before nine o'clock the next morning had bought every foot of lumber and every saw mill at Grass Valley and Nevada City. He gained another fortune-making four times as much as he had lost-by the sale of his lumber so suddenly contracted for. It was eminently like an American to ride off by the blaze of his burning houses into the night, and turn his ca lamity literally into cash. A man of such fertility of resource ought to have staid millionaire but his inability to do so is only another illustration that the capacity to get money is entirely differ ent from the capacity to retain money after it has been got. McNulty's char. acter was one that is not at all uncom- mon in the Republic, especially in the West
Year: 1878

Recollections of John K. Mortimer, the formerly excellent actor who lately died of drunkenness in San Francisco, are getting into print here and there. He was eagerly sought after by mama gers until his untrustworthiness over balanced his worth when sober. One night, in the Broadway Theater, he ad- vanced to the footlights, said "Au re- voir, au revoir p to the audience, and walked off the stage. On another occa- sion, at another house, he stopped in the middle of the first act, and bade the audience no more generous adieu than guess you have had enough of this piece, and know that I have" It is said to be fallacy that in frequently disappointing the public he was always guilty of indiscretion in the matter of conviyiality. Fascinated with gaming, he often sat at cards not twenty-five feet from the stage on which he should have been acting. No appeals of the man. agement could move him. It was his passion for gambling quite as much as for stimulants that made him reckless as to professional engagements, and pre- vented his maintaining his position as one of the finest of American light come (1ians.
Year: 1878

Somebody who has been studying the habits of the albatross, largest of the sea-birds, in the South Atlantic, has come to the conclusion that it feeds al- most entirely on dead fish, and is sort of marine vulture. When it is feeding on dead fish, it is 50 greedy that gun discharged cannot make it fly. Like a vulture or raven, it seems to know when any creature is dying or dead, and im- mense focks of the birds will gather when the carcass of sheep or beef or horse is thrown overheard. They appear to be able to see and to scent carrion for miles, and when it is floating on the ocean, they will come in clouds from every point of the compass. They spend the greater part of the year far from land but they go to barren and we'll nigh inaccessible rocks to breed. The female lays her soiled white eggs on the bare earth, the females often matching so close together that they seem to have one nest Tn common. Then they are perfectly indifferent to the presence of man, at whom they merely snap when he 1nvades their sanctuary. The male albatross is very gallant, sharing with the female the labor of incubation and of rearing the young which, when fully hedged, puts off to sea with its par ents, and with them plays its part of scavenger of the ocean. Many sailors are still superstitious about killing the a1hatrOss
Year: 1878

The Burlington Has0keye man says On the cars the other day I saw the boy who wanted drink---a restless, ques- tioning, uneasy, thirsty boy. He let the window fall on his fingers before the train had gone mile. He stood out on the platform until he was incrusted two inches ueep with ashes and dust and cinders. He went to the water cooler and got drink then he came back and told his mother he was hot, and went back and got another drink. He drank about four times per mile, seldom oftener, unless he was seized with sud- den uncomfortable spasm of thirst. If he was drinking, and somebody else came after drink, the boy would sud- denly seize the cup he had set down and refill it, and drink as though he had wrapped his stomach in the desert of Sahara, glaring suspiciously over the top of the cup at the waiting passenger as he drank. When he was in his seat, he watched the aisle narrowly, and if he saw any passenger get up and move toward the water-cooler, he would jump up and race for it. If he got there first, he would drink and snore over the cup uptil the thirsty traveller forgot what he went down there after. People began to wonder how much the boy was gauged for, and if he wasn't rather straining his capacity. The remotest hint or sug- gestion was enough to send him to the cooler. When the train ran over a creek, the water made him think of his thirst. When it rattled over. long stretch of dry prairie, the absence of water drove him mad. I was afraid the supply of water would give out before the boy was filled up, and he was rather small boy, too. His interior circumference, I think, must have inclosed an area double in extent to that inclosed by the exterior belt. Near Waseca we ran nearly mile without the boy making 8 stop at the tank. I grew very nervous now, for I was fearful that during such an unheard- of absence from water his pumps would run dry, rust out. and he might blow up. So I leaned over the edge of the seat and said, carelessly:

 "By George, but I am thirsty. I wonder if there is any water on this car ?"

 You want to understand me now, as recording very plainly, and without any mental reservation, the fact that that boys mother, sitting beside him, was no fool. Her eyes snapped when she heard my careless and innocent remark, she took in every syllable of it, and she turned on me in flash with, 1T wish you would mind your own business and leave my boy alone''

 A low, hooking murmur of applause went through the car, little of it for the indignant mother, some of it for the charity boy. but most of it for me. She suppressed yours truly very successfully, but it was too late. Long before she finished that brief sentence her boy was down at the water-cooler holding his eyes tight shut to keep the water from running out of them, while he flooded his system as though fire was burning hin up inside.
Year: 1878

Some singular instances of recovery from yellow fever are on record. It should be remembered that recovery from this disease is, Tn general, above all others, dependent upon careful nurs- ing. The least mistake or lack of vigi- lance may cause death even when the patient is practically convalescent. The patient can not be trusted in the matter of!eating or of exerting himself. He often thinks he can walk safely, when it is a1- most certain death for him to do so. Still, there seem to be exceptions to the rule. A refugee from the South was found not long ago in the woods near London, Ontario. He had lain eight days exposed to rain and changing wealth CT, and almost without food. It was supposed, of course, that he would die. But he is now likely to recover. It is related of another person suffering with the fever that when given over by the physicians he repeated request, often denied before, for tobacco. "Yes, they said, Che can have any thing he wants :: 1t can make no difference now" The patient with eagerness seized the coveted tobacco, used it with lavish greediness and recovered. Another singular case occurred in an epidemic some years ago. Accommodations being limited on fever stricken ship, the surgeon ordered pa- tient who was believed to be past re- covery to be laid in one of the boats which hung from the davits. The man was insensible and as less hopeless cases demanded all the attention of phy- sicians and others, he was left to his fate. A tremendous rain fell during the night. and the sick man was deluged but from that time he began to recover, and was soon we'll
Year: 1878

The following condensed rules are given by Dr. Whiting, Saginaw, Mich.. fof the management of grapes The soil best suited to the grape is decomposed shale, bat any good clay soil, thoroughly dra1ned will do. The ground should be carefully prepared and only well-rotted manure used. Dscomposing turf is one of the best fertilizers when it can be obtained no other will be required. The vines selected for planting should be good one-year-old byers or cuttings. They may look small but will make the best vines. Good culture is as necessary to the vine as to the corn or cabbage. Mulching and watering the first year should not be neglected if drought is ex- cessive. One good soaking is better than many sprinklings. More water can be saved with hoe than can be put on with sprinkler. In planting, cut the vine back to two buds, whatever it's age or strength. Summer pruning consists or p1nch1ng of weak and struggling shoots in order to confne the sap of the main branches. The first summer allow but one main shoot to grow. In the fall, after the first frost, cut out all the summer growth back to within two buds of the ground. The second year confine the sap to two branches, and in the fall cut back to three buds each The third year, if your vine has made vigorous growth, few stems of grapes may be allowed to mature, but better take offall the fruit than to suffer too much to grow.

 Too heavy bearing when young will weaken the vine for all further time. The trimming now depends on what kind of trellis you wish to cover. After you have obtained good, vigorous root, you can make it grow in almost any place or shape you wish by keeping the branches desired tied up, and all others pinched back. Each year few of the strongest branches should be allowed to grow as bearers of fruit the following year.

 In trimming cut away as much of the old wood as possible and save the new, as all the fruit buds are on the new wood. You can easily tell how much to cut away by holding your new wood up to the trellis and imagine branch of three stems of grapes for each bud. If you do not cut off enough in the fall, and you find that the vine is going to be too thick, do not fail to attend to it when the new shoots are from three to six inches long, in the spring, or while in blossom. As soon as the fruit is set ex- anime the. vine, spread out the new wood so that each bunch of grapes will hang free and clear pick off all the small stems of fruit and fasten the vines securely, so that the wind will not de- stroy your crop by breaking the young and tender branches. When the wood has grown so that there are three leaves beyond the last bunch of grapes, exam inc the vine, select the branches you wish to save for fruit bearing the coming year, and keep them tied up until they have grown as long as you wish to make use of. The ends of the other bearing branches should be pinched off as soon as they reach the point, :" three leaves beyond the last stem of grapes" Break off all the shoots and laterals as fast as they make their appearance, but on no account iniure the leaves on the bearing canes. The fruit will color, but not ripen, if the leaves are destroyed.
Year: 1878

Urdcr sucha q heavy yearly drain, the
question naturally comes up, how long
will our forests hold out at the present
rate of manufactured It is really an i'm
portant question, upon which follows
the inquiry as to what we arc to do for
building material when this magnificent
wood-pine-is exhausted. One author
ity after another has entered formally
upon its solution, with satisfactory results
in local instances, but very vague ones
as to the field at large. At the rate we
ale cutting it to day, from thirty to fifty
years seem to be agreed upon as the
limi'. Twenty years ago there was ap-
parenly no limit, for the consumption
was not only less, but the means for its
manufacture were primitive, and accom-
plished much smaller results than now.
It seems as if it we're impossible to
further improve the machinery Of saw
mills, but the near future may, fer all
that, see saving machinery, in compari-
son to which that of the present will be
contemplate. So, although twenty years
ago there was no seeing the end Of the
timber, now, with the modern mills and
myriads of them, we are beginning to cal.
culate with dire certainty as to the time
when the wooden age" will be a thing
OF the past.-Scribne1.
Year: 1878

One morning, a fortnight ago, hap
pened in at the American Consulate, and
was introduced to gentleman apparent
ly about thirty six years of age. He was
above the middle height, and remarkable
handsome, dark and Spanish looking. l
saw him only few minutes, but he
made decided impression on me. I
little thought that I should never see
Congrl ssman J. E. Leonard again. He
died last light at the Hotel Telegrato, of
broken heart, the victim Of the old, old
story--unrequited love.


His romance was this: Some wears
age ne formed the acquaintance of a
young Cuban lady of wealthy family, and
courted her on the promise that he would
yet present her with career worthy of
her hand. His promotion was rapid. In
a short time he rose from post to post, to
Judge and Congressman. Seeing his fu-
ture so insured, he came to Havana to Law
his honors at tho lady's feet, and to offer
her his heart and hand. While still on
board the steamship Columbus, in this
port, he received letter from her, which
had been awaiting his arrival for de]iv-
cry, and in which she advised him not to
land, as she was not disposed to listen to
his overtures.
OF course it was impossible for Mr..
| Leonard to remain On shipboard in the
hot harbor. He landed, but only to find
he was cruelty Tilted, and that he had
been in the pursuit so long of heart of
stone. His excitement drove him to his
bed. He fell into morbid condition,
which he vainly endeavored to conquer
lie struggled bravely, but such was his
bitter grief, such the blow his love and
mani y dignity had received, that he speed
lily sank into state who left him the
easy prey Of the first of those many fell
diseases of these latltudes, which are ever
lowering round, vulture-like, to seize on
declining human powers. His fate came
in the form of the demon yellow fever.
His condition spread about among the
lady's friends, and they were convinced
that his life rested in her hands. They
condemned her conduct, and, it is said,
demonstrated with her for it. On the
night before he died, the at length con-
sclence-stricken woman sent messenger
to his bedside to state that they could
meet this spring in New Orleans, and
matters might be satisfactorily arranged
A sad smile passed over his face, and in
the midst Of it might be seen CLEAN OF
new life, of triumph, perhaps something
OF resentment. II do not want that won.
an" he said bitterly. 1t was his last
effort. He was within reach of his cher
ished prize, with power-perhaps the
latent hope to seize it. Alas! poor hu-
man nature; the crisis and the complica
tions were too great. He sank after the
momemtary rally; the delirium resumed
its sway, and he died at one o'clock on
the morning of March 15.-HapanaA Cor
". Y. Spirit Of the Times.
Year: 1878

Some one has discovered that there is
actually law in force which permits
money to be carried as baggage. Since
this is the case we may travel consider
ably this year. 1t was the supposed ab-
sence of such law that kept us at home so
much.
Year: 1878

tits not generally known to what extent
we are indebted to worms for the
productiveness of our gardens and
fields. 1t has been found, by series of
experiments carried out by German
naturalist, that the tunnels made by
worms into the earth are frequently of
much service to plants whose roots
occupy the channels that have thus been
made. The mold of our gardens, and
fields, too, is improved to an almost
inconceivable extent by the borrowings
of this humble insect. Each worm in
less than week passes through its
body its own weight in mold, and the soil
thus produced is fine and light, and ex-
tremely helpful to the growth of plants.
When it is remembered that there are
in every acre some "a 600 worms, and
that in addition to forming every day
about thirty-seven pounds of fine mold,
they epen up the subsoil and render it
fertile, we shall gain some slight con-
ception of our indebtedness TO these
apparently insignificant and generally
unthought-of little work els.
Year: 1878

Dig narrow pit from twelve to
eighteen inches deep, throwing the
earth all out on one side. From near
the bottom of this pit dig trench sufficient
length to hold one or two joints of stove
pipe, at such an angle as will bring
the end away from the pit to the sur
face of the ground. Over the end of this
pipe set common -four barrel or large
cask, as may be needed, and, having
removed both heads, bank mp around it
with little earth so that no smoke can
escape at the bottom. Hang the hams,
ect., it, using some round sticks to run
through the strings. Putting cover on
the sticks will leave space enough for
draught to let the smoke pass freely.
Build smoke fire of corn cobs, damp
hard wood or saw dust, in the pit, and
you will have cheap, safe and efficient
smoke house, with very little trouble.
Year: 1878

Wind" says an old horseman, sis
the grand secret of fast horse. Good
lungs will cover multitude of faults ;
while, on the other hand, perfection of
shape and form are useless when the
wind is out. The chest, therefore, in
all cases, should be large and capacious.
In shape it may vary somewhat, accord
ing to the service to which the horse is
to be put. If he is to be kept for slow
work and heavy drawing, the chest may
be nearly circular in form, because this
shape is one for strength and bulk, to
receive and bear up against the pressure
of the collar, while at the same time
sufficient room is secured for that expan-
sion of the lungs caused by slow, regular
work. But if the chest is circular, let it
be at the same time deep, or else the
lungs may be cramped. A horse with q
shallow chest is worthless for any pur-
pose. The rule, then, is this For O
draught house, circular but deep chest
but, as you pass through the different
degrees of speed, mp to the racer and
trotter, the chest will increase in depth,
compared to its roundness, until, for the
highest rate of speed, you must take a
chest as deep as greyhound, and at the
same time not lacking in strength"
Year: 1878

A young lady in Newtown.county, Ga,
is possessed by strange monomania.
She fancies herself baby, and has not
spoken word in three years, although
her powers of conversation used to be
OF an order higher than the average.
Year: 1878




John Sherman is peddling a falsehood
throughout the country at the government
expense. He is endeavoring to persuade the
country, or some portions of it, that the
house of representatives. was the friend of
hard times in the last session. He Is trying
to place the house on the record as refusing
to enact that greenbacks should be receiv-
able for customs duties, because the house
would not pass senate bill enabling him to
sell bonds for greenbseks and to use that
power solely TO aid in the execution of the
resumption act There are two answers to
this latest Sbermanism. In the first place,
the house, by vote OF three to one, voted
for bill making greenbacks receivable for
customs duties, as distinct proposition.
In the second place, one of Sherman's letters
to Mr.. Phillips, of the banking and currency
committee, announces his most shameless
intention to disregard the law of the land,
which the democrats gave to the country,
forbidding the further contraction of green
back circulation. Sherman said he would
keep out as many as and no more than he
could maintain resumption on. The law.
breaker and the breaker of every body will
find this last trick useless.
Year: 1878

All things are fair, so ii is generally
thought, in war, in a horse trade, or in a law
case. IL is probably on that bad rule that
the late President Lincoln acted when be de-
feated an antagonist before a jury. The an
ecdote is thus told by DR.. Bateman: He was
often pitted against eminene lawyers during
trials in the Sangamon county circuit court.
On one occasion he was opposed to very
able advocate, who made a powerful, elo-
quent and convincing speech to the jury,
and Lincoln saw that it had been very effect
i've on the minds of the jury. The gentle-
man, moreover, was man who was
very precise in his dress, as we'll
as manner and oratory. But Lin
coin had been observing him, and saw
flaw in his usually jaultless at
tire. Gentlemen of the jury" said ~Old
Abe" when be rose to speak, 1.-The gentle-
man who has just spoken has made strong
argument He has quoted the law and the
evidence, and ii is not for me to say that it
is wrong He may be correct in all that be
has said. But want you 10 take good
look at him. Look especially at the upper
half, and then, gentlemen, tell me If any
man who comes before YOU with his stand
ing collar buttoned wrong end to, with the
points sticking away out behind his ears,
may not be altogether mistaken in all his
arguments" The plan was successful.
Lincoln had broken the spot which the
eloquence OF his opponent bad thrown over
the jury.
Year: 1878

to IL. This damaged the testimony of the
witness who had sworn to having encoun-
tered Jason Bowers on the court house steps
at 10 o'clock or thereabouts.


On crosS-examinat;on several of the pris-
oner's witnesses admitted that his manner
was excited and strange; but the clerk of the
MOTEL said that shortly after the prisoners
arrival he went up to his room. Did not see
bandage on wrist then; had loaned the prls-
oner the dagger shown in court; the prisoner
had returned it Just before retiring, but had
got it again before breakfast on the following
morning. The wasberwoman, on cross
examination, said that the prisoner told her
that he wished his shirt by noon, as he
wanted to leave B at that hour; noticed
bandage on his wrist.


The defense also brought forward wit
nesses to prove that the prisoner had ex-
pressed to several his intention of leaving
B. at the hour mentioned; but that ne
was prevented by his arrest for murder.


As the defense progressed the spectators
loophole for the prisoners escape would be
offered. The prosecution looked dumb
founded.


The judges charge was elaborate in Its de-
tails; his honor leaned to belief in the
prisoners guilt, and the jury retired.


After an absence of four hours, during
which time they sent for elucidation on
returned with a verdict of-Not guilty


No demonstrations of delight followed the
announcement of the verdict The accused
bowed to the jury and was discharged.


That day he left B and died ten years
later without, unraveling, if he C c,uld, the
secret of the judges death.


Years afterward, when the old court house
was demolished, a rusty dagger was found in
the belfry, and the stats of the blind win
dows showed evidences of removal, as if to
admit and let out a mani


The discovery renewed speculation on
B-'s great murder; that was all.
Year: 1878

lBrooklyn Eagle.J


Professor Tyndall's prayer gauge PROPOSE
ton of few years ago very properly and
very considerably shocked great many high
minded persons who preserved the antique
privacy of communion with the Almighty
They preferred to think of the act of prayer
as the most sacred of acts, as the barring of
the soul of man before the eye of God, and
to find its proper definition in Montgomery's