smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878




This life is like game of cards. We
must play the hands dealt to us, and the
credit is not so much in winning as in play
ing poor hand well.


When hear man Dragging about what
he did last year and what he's going TO do
next year, can tell pretty near what he's
doing now.


Don't despise your poor relations. they
might get rich some time, and then it would
be so hard to explain things.


The reputation a man gets from his ahces-
tors wants about as much altering to fit him
as their clothes would.


There is no woman stationed I'D the face
of the earth who tiles so hard to do right
and fails oftensr than the average mother


An enthusiast is man who believes four
times as much as he ebn prove, and sill
prove four times as much as anybody els
will believe. # @ s# 3t


Falling in love Is like falling down stairs;
it's hard work to lind out just how the
thing was done.


A man who has been waiting for the last
fifteen years for something to turn up is
still in the same business.


A poodle is woman's pet, and | have
seen some would like to swap livings
with. .-..


Mice can live anywhere comfortably but
IN chuch; they fat very slowly in church.
This proves that they can't live gu religion
any more than minister can.


The worst tyrant in this world is wo
man who is superior to her husband and
lets everybody know it.


Love is like neasels, You can't have it but
once, and the later in life we have it the
tougher it goes with US.


Great thinkers are not apt to be great
whistlers. When man can't think of any
thing he begins to whistle.


Tho man you can have to work on farm
for nothing and board himself, just about
earns his wages.


Neatness, in my opinion, is o,ie of the
virtues. Inave always considered it twin
sister to chastity, but none work SO hard as
the victim to estate neatness. | saw q
neat person who would not let {. weary fly
rest long enough on the wall paper to take
breath, and who would chase single cock
roach up and down stairs until his legs were
worn off.
Year: 1878




A report was current in the community
yesterday of an uprising ofsome of the con-
victs belonging to the force under the lease
Of Col. T. J. Smith, now at work on Hutch
ison's Island, opposite the city. and the es-
cape of seven, after the guard had been
overpewered and murdered.


In the northern side of the building oc-
cupied by the forces as sleeping quarters,
there was hole about two feet square,
where the chimney of the sugar-reinery
stood, which had been closed up with brick
and mud used instead of mortar. At 1:15
a. En.. George Billups, a negro, who slept
near the opening, managed to free his feet
from his shackles, and pushing the bricks
cut, worked himself slowly through the
hole, which was about 8 feet above ground.
In getting out he struck against the man
who was sleeping in the bunk next to him.
The movement awakened the fellow, who,
raising himself, discovered Georges leg
jnst disappearing through the aperture.
He at once gave an alarm, crying to the
man who was on duty at the door that a
man was escaping. The guard darted out
the building and caught sight of George
running toward the bank of the Savannah
river. He Immediately opened fire on the
fugitive, firing six times at him. The dogs
were called out and sent in pursuit. About
800 yards from the building one of the dogs
caught the flying negro, who was impeded
in his flight by the dense swamp reeds
After short struggle, during which the
guard fired at him again, he succeeding in
freeing himself from the dog, and contin-
ued running toward the river. On reach
ing the river bank the negro plunged bold
ly into the water and the dog after him.
When about 20 yaIds from the shore the
dog selzed him again, and a fight for life
and liberty ensued in the waters. The
night was clear, bnt not sufficiently clear to
enable the guards to discern where the man
was. His cries and struggles with the
dog were heard, and in few minutes the
dog returned to the bank.


AS nothing was seen of the convict on
this side, it is believed that he was drown
ed. 1t is supposed that he was wounded
by one of the shots, and it is certain that
he was badly bitten when he was first
caught and during the struggle in the wa
ter. The morning was very cold, and he
would probably have been numbed before
he could have swan to this side, even had
he not been injured. Hence there is but
little doubt that his dash for liberty result
ed in his finding a watery grave. George
Billups was a young negro convicted of
burglary in the Fulton County Superior
Court.
Year: 1878

Edward King writes from Paris to the
Boston Journal: Among the many stories
told of Theodore Barriere, the noted writer
of comedies, since his death, none is more
striking than that which recites surrep-
titious visit once made by him to the exc
cutioner.


Barriere had been tormented by a desire
to see this remarkable parsonage, who, in
country where capital punishment is so rig
orously enforced as in France, is naturally
surrounded by certain repulsive atmos-
phere for ordinary human beings. re-
member that at the execution of Troupman
saw this manager of the guillotine for the
first time, and was very much impressed by
him as a striking and awe producing figure.
Barriere went to see the predecessor of the
present incumbent. Els name was Helm
dreich, and he was an Alsatian of Herou-
lean proportions. His neck was almost as
thick as a bulls, and his hands were enor-
nous and we'll fitted to crush almost any
criminal. Nature seemed to have moulded
the man expressly for the curious and
CHASTITY profession which he had then
adopted. snss .a


sBarriere was introduced to him by an
actor who was very fond of the execution
er's society, and who dined with him as o.
ten as twice week. They found the
strange man in his house, a charming little
cottage in the midst OF pretty garden.
The executioner did not object to talking
of his trade, and said that he was firm be-
lever in capital pun shment. There were
men IN the world for whom it was useless
and foolish to heve any pity; they should be
sharply suppressed. But he admitted that
an order from the "upper authority to ex-
ecute criminal always caused him GER
tain disagreeable thrill of excitement, and
he could neither eat nor smoke until after
the deed was done. II can only drink
milk" he said, and added that he often
lived on it for a day and half or two days.
With a grim smile he took down FROM
shelf pipe, and handing it to Barriere,
said: s'There, I've been interrupted no
less than six times while smoking this very
meerschaum Crack! the order Of justice
arrives, and lay aside the pipe. could
not be persuaded to smoke, it would make
| me ILL.," And Barriere was accustomed to
relate to his friends, with much gusto, that
he took the pfoffered pipe and smoked it,
| but as he smoked he fancied he saw the six
guillotined heads pecring at him through
| the distant clouds
Year: 1878

The following from the Fairchild (Me.)
Chronicle is neatly done aud has wide ap-
plication outside of Maine He was the
manager of a church fair, ard one morning
he walked into the newspaper Office and
said: }


"Want an item this morning ?'' ,.esss


'tOf course" replied the editor, whereup-
on the visitor laid the following item upon
the table:


"The ladies of the - Street Church
will give festival at their vestry hall next
Friday evening. Literary and musical en-
terrainmepts will be provided and supper
will be served to all who desire. The la
dies in charge of the affair have had much
experience in such matters, and are sure to
provide good time. The admission will
be only fifteen cents, and it is certain no
one can spend that amount to better advan-
take. Be sure TO go and take along your
friends.


When the editor had read it he said:


sob, see, an advertisement" @


'sNo, not an advertisement. We prefer
to have it 60 in the local column" replied
the manager.


And seeing the editor look skeptical, he
continued:


"It will interest a good many OF your
readers, and help good cause, besides we
have spent SO much money getting up our
entertainments that we can't afford to ad-
vertise without increasing the price of ad-
mission. In such affairs as this we ought
to be willing to help each other"


"Well," said the editor, eff it goes into
the locals, suppose you would reciprocate
by reading a little notice in your church
next Sunday ?"


The visiting brother asked what notice,
and the editor wrote and handed him the
following:


'sThe weekly Chronicle for the coming
year will be the cheapest family paper in
Maine. Its pro prietor has had much expe-
rlence and has all the help which large
outlay of money can procure. His paper
has larger circulation than any other pub
lished in the country. and is to be furnish
ed at only 50. 1t is certain no one can
spend that amount to better advantage. Be
sure to take the Chronicle and subscribe for
your friends


The manager hemmed and hesitated, and
then said solemnly, that he "doubted
whether it would be judic;ous to read such
a notice." but suggested that that ii it was
printed, copies of it might be distributed at
the door of the vestry on the evening of the
entertainment.


Eyes, said the editor, 'but it would al
tract more attention in the middle of a ser
mon. It will interest large number OF
your congregation and help good cause,
and besides so much money is spent upon
the Chronicle that / don't see how the
owner can afford to print handbills t.
advertise it without increasing the sub,
scription price. In such matter as this
| we ought to be willing to help each other. .


Then the gentleman saw the situation
| and went straight out, without leaving sc
| much as complimentary ticket.
Year: 1878

The Chicago Times has the following ac--
count of the ceremony of electing Pope:


As soon as Plus TX expires the cardinal
camerlengo, chief officer of tho Papal
household, the apostolic notaries, and 9TH
er witnesses, will attest, the event, and
break the ''seal of the fisherman, used by
the deceased Pontiff. Under ordinary cir
cumstances the body should lie in state
nine days, but it is likely, in view of sur
rounding conditions, the conclave will as
semble Immediately, The bull regulating
the election of Pope will be read, and
each Cardinal will swear to observe its
terms. All approaches to the apartment
will then be closed, except one; which can
be opened to admit tardy Cardinal, or to
permit the retirement of sick one The
windows will be walled up, and the food of
the conclave will be passed in through
small aperture. Balloting will continue
until the majority agree upon one name.
and until this is accomplished no Cardinal
is permitted to have any communication,
oral Or written, with any person outside
the conclave. The ballots are deposited in
chalice, the name being written, the paper
folded. and as each Cardinal steps for
ward TO deposit his vote, he win make the
following oath: 81 call to witness God,
who will be my judge, shat I choose the
person whom, in the presence of Goo, I
judge should be elected, and that will do
the same in aceeding"- in accepting tho
choice of the majority should it be another
person. After the ballots are all deposited
teller is appointed to read them aloud.
The same form is continued until a def
mite result is accomplished. The Pope
elect will be clothed at once in the white
pontifical habit, tho "fisherman's ring" will
be placed upon his finger, and after the
chanting of the Ecca SGcerdose Magnus,
the first Cardinal Deacon will make a pub
lie announcement of the family name of the
elected Cardinal and the pontiical title
chosen by him. After his installation
bunch of fax will be lighted publicly in
bis presence, and the master of ceremonies
will say as it fickers' and dies: ''Holy
father, thus passeth the glory of the
world" The tiara, or triple crown, will
then be placed upon his head. It is high
cap or hat Of cloth of gold. encircled with
three co"onces, terminating in a gold ball
sarmouncd by cross. Two embroidered
aad hinged pendants hang from if, like
those from bishops mitre.
Year: 1878

The artificial dying of cigars has as yet
attracted but little attention among smok-
ers, and is conducted very quietly and is
apparently harmless, yet under all circum-
stances it should be condemned. Every ar
tificial change of a natural product like to-
bacco, to give it better appearance, should
of itself be branded as improper. Then we
must take into consideration the fact that
the natural colo. of the cover has some in
fiuence upon the strength of the cigar, and
consequently most smokers place great val
ue ON the ,olor. By artificial coloring, on
the contrary, the Judgment is deceived, and
it makes it impossible to determine the
quality of the cigar from the coior Of the
cover; TOR every dealer now has it in his
power to make splendid dark cigars from
his very light ones without any trouble.
But we have especially to uotice that now
poor colored and refuse cigars may acquire
q fine color, and be sold for good ones. On
all these grounds, dying cigars must be
ranked as an adulteration, for the purpose
of swindling the public. Unfortunately
no means have yet been devised whereby
the people can Distinguish such cigars in
all cases from the genuine. All we can do
at present is to call attention to the fact,
and recommend canton in the matter
Scientific american.
Year: 1878

When a rattlesnake is disturbed it sounds
an alarm, and then, if compelled, it will
fight, When the victim is within reach.
the jaws of the snake are separated and
the head thrown back so as to bring the
fangs into Il favorable position to penetrate
the object. The head is then darted rapid
ly forward, the unsheated toothpenetlates
the body of the victim, and the poison Is
injected into the flesh. The same muscll-
lar acts which open the wound inject the
Venom throught the duct, and into the
part penetrated by the tooth. The diver
gence Of the iang-points when the snake
bites often causes a considerable distanc,
between the two wounds. The power
with which the venom is elected from tbs
tooth depends somewhat upon the amour
contained in the gland and its ducts. i.
the snake fails to strike the object aimee
at, the poison is sometimes projected sew
eral feet; and case Is on record where it
was thrown into the eye of man who
was six feet from the snake, when it
struck upward at q stick held above its
coil,
Year: 1878

Want of prudence is too frequently the


want Of virtue.


As moth gnaws a garment, so doth


envy consume a man.


The hate we bear our enemies ini,,res


their happiness less than ours


The man who can be nothing but seri-


Gus or nothing but merry is but halt a


man.


The first bool; read. and the last book
laid aside, by every child, is the conduct of
its parents.


How many troubles might mankind be
spared if they would only stop to hear
each others explanations.


Be cheerful. respectful and good-natured
and every man has secret for you worth
knowing.


Through the eye beauty comes in. and
@riefs drop out. Thank God tor tears,
and pity him who cannot weep.


Liberty will not descend to people a
people must raise themselves to liberty; it
is a blessin" that must be earned before it
can be enjoyed.


n dry-goods merchant OF Hartford was
asked how he spent his evenings. His re-
ply was: AT night l store my mind, and
during the day mind my store"
\ good man and !, wise man may at
times be angry with the world. at times
grieved at it; but be sure, no man was
ever discontented with the world if he did
his duty in it.


There is this difference between happiness
and wisdom; he that thinks himself the
happiest man, really IS SO; but he who
thinks himself the wisest man ls generally
the greatest tool.


The best way to keep out wicked
thoughts is always to be employed in some
good ones. Let your thoughts be where
your happiness is, and let your heart be
where your thoughts are.


Saying sharp things doesn't pay. 1t
may crafty your spite at first. but it is
better to have friends than enemies, and if
you cannot make people happy, refrain
from adding to their misery.


If your books do not foot up quite such
large profits as in years before, what is the
difference? You have done your best.
Don't go growing and getting sullen;
laugh and keep your manhood, and begin
the year like a man should, full Of faith
and trust that it will be bright and pros
porous.


What is not hope to man: The vitality
of vitality, the lite of his life, the great
motive power of all eXertion, the strength
ener, the consolcr, the stay, the great bat
tle-sword that cleaves through the armor
Of all adversaries. the conqueror that
strikes down opposition. tramples on re-
verses, bursts open the gates of the tombs
and treads upon the neck of death!


Inattention to little acts of thoughtful
ness and consideration often results from q
mere habit Of carelessness; but in its eff
feet upon the happiness of 4 family, it is 4
most unfortunate habit. A few words Of
thanks, Of appreciative recognition, arc
easily spoken, and such words are precious
to the soul that hllngers for them. They
are highly priced. and not soon forgotten.
Take notice of what is done for you.
Year: 1878

There is Il class of farmers who aro con-
stantly on the lookout for better place to
go to. Their farms are always ''for sale"
and they dream of luxuriant lands in some
other part of the country which can be
bought ''for a song" where they imagine
they would be more prosperous, and enjoy
life better than where they now reside.
Many of these men own mortgaged farms;
and for such men to desire to remove when
they can own a free farm, though it be far,
far away, is but a natural manifestation to
better ones condition, which the human
mind cannot resist. But where can these
men go, after selling their farms, and be
contented? This is a serious question.
which no man cap answer Of bis own
knowledge.
Year: 1878

The Attorney General in his annual re-
port does not express any opinion as to the
effect of the abolition Of the death penalty
for murder. Two years time is hardly
enough to test it. In that time there has
been only one conviction-that Of Smith,
at Observation-Disclosures the prisoner would
have been sentenced to death under the
former law. Mr.. Emery says: ''While I
doubt if much can be fairly argued either
way from statistics Of crime, should say
the statistics in this State We're. if anything,
favorable to the abolition of the death pen
atty. The experience of another year may
reverse it. hardly think the presence or
absence of the death penalty has any direct
influence on the number of murders. 1t is
impossible thus far to know what the ef-
feet has been in the State"
Year: 1878

When we began the newspaper business
we had not much faith in advertising. We
distinctly remember how we timidly per-
suaded a man who had thirty swarms of
bees to sell to put in an ad. We felt that
we were doing wrong in thus misleading
him, and when he came in three weeks la
er and ordered the al. dropped, we felt
quite relieved. Our astonishment can be
guessed when he said:


'.Well, l sold the last swarm yesterday,
and have demand for more.'


We soon inveigled others into putting
ads. .l.::a our paper, and never failed to
give satisfaction. We had last spring a
number of articles to sell, and by alvertis-
ing we disposed of every one at our own
price. The fact OF the matter is, if you
want to buy or sell and do it at once you
must Advertise.-MeGrcgor Ns,rs.


A young poet out West not long ago
said to his sweetheart, among other things,
through poem in country paper: IL
kissed thee under the silent stars - at
least, that was what he intended to say
but when she had refused to speak to him
for six weeks, or to let him come within
speaking distance of her, and he came to
look over his poem with some care for the
first time. he found that the printer had
made him say: Il kicked thee under the
cellar stairs" and then he knew why ''she
never smiled again.
Year: 1878

A famous matchmaker of Paris,
infatuated for a long time with the
chimera of the perpetual motion,
became violently insane from the
overwhelming terror which the
storms of the Revolution excited.
The arrangement of his reason was
marked with a singular trait. He
was persuaded that he had lost his
head on the scaffold, and that it was
put in a heap with those of many
other victims; but that the judges,
by a rather too late retraction OF
their cruel decree, had ordered the
heads to be resumed, and to be re-
joined to their respective bodies.
He, however, conceived that, by a
curious kind of a mistake, he had
the head of one of his companions
placed on his shoulders. He was
admitted into the Bicetro, where he
was continually complaining of his
misfortune, and lamenting the fine
teeth and wholesome breath he had
exchanged for those of very differ
ent qualities. In a little time the
hopes Of discovering the perpetual
motion returned, and he was rather
encouraged than restrainedin his en-
deavors to effect his object. When
he conceived that he had accom-
plished it, and was in all ecstasy of
Joy, the sudden confusion Of a fail
ure removed his inclination even to
resume the subject. He was still,
however, possessed with the idea
that his head was not his own, but
from this notion he was diverted
by repartee made to him when he
happened to be defending the pos
sibility Of the miracle of st. Denis,
who, it is said, was in the habit of
walking with his head between his
hands, and in that position con-
tinually kissing it.


"What a fool you are to believe
such a story" it was replied, with a
burst of laughter. "How could
st. Denis kiss his head? Was it
with his heels?"


This unanswered and unexpected
retort struck aud confounded the
mailman SO much that it prevented
him from saying anything further
on the subject. He again took
himself to business, and entirely re-
gained his intellect.
Year: 1878

ton roll. Her hand is wonderfully
pretty for a woman Of her years,
looking as white and dimpled and
pink-tipped as a maiden's. She has
an adopted daughter, who is high
ly accomplished, presiding like a
master at the piano, and being mis-
tress of several foreign tongues.
The report going the rounds Of the
press relative to the extreme depths
of poverty into which the family
were plunged is incorrect. They
have been greatly reduced in their
circumstances, but not to the ex.
tent which necessitated their selling
all their pictures and household ar
ticleS in order to buy bread for their
hungry mouths.
Year: 1878

The following admOnitiOns should be
periodically republished in every news
paper, in order that they may be inef-
faeeably stamped upon the memory Of
every young man, and every one else
accustomed to make light Of a wOman's
name, which should be the immediate
iewep' Of every ones soul:


Never use a lady's name in 81 i'm
proper place at any improper time, or in
mixed company. Never make Rsser-
tiOns about her that you think untrue,
or allusiOns that she herself would
blush to hear. When you meet with
men who do not seruple to use woman's
name in reckless manner, shun them;
they are the very worst members Of the
community; men lost to every sense of
honor, every feeling of humanity.
Many good and worthy wOman's char
acter has been forever ruined and her
heart broken by lie manufactured by
some villain, aud repeated when it
should not have been, and in presence
of those whose little judgment could not
deter them from circulating the foul and
Dragging report. A slander propagated,
and the smallest thing derOgatory to a
woman's character will fly on the wings
of the wind and magnify as il circulates,
until its mOnstrOus weight crushes the
poor unconscious victim. Respect the
name of woman. Your mother aud sis
ters are women, and as you would have
their fair names untarnished and their
| lives unembittered by the slanderer's 8
bitter tongue, heed the i'll your own
words may bring upon the mother, the
sister, or the wife Of some efeilOw-creature.