smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1866

This list of excuses for not going to
church is amusing, but may be much
increased .... ....


Oversight myself could not dress
in time too windy too dusty too
damp too sunny too cloudy don't
feel disposed no other time to myself
look over my drawers put my papers
to rights letters to write to friends
mean to take a ride tied to business
six days in week no fresh air but
on Sunday can't breathe in church
always so full feet little feverish
feel little chilly feel very lazy ex-
pect company to dinner got head
ache intend nursing myself to-day !;
new bonnet not come home tore my
muslin dress down stairs got new
novel must be returned on Monday
morning wasn't shaved in time don't
like the liturgy, always praying for the
same thing don't like extemporary
prayers don't like an organ, tbs too
noisy don't like singing without mu-
sic, makes me nervous the spirit is
willing but the flesh is weak dislike
an extemporary sermon, tbs too frotby !;
can't bear written sermon, too prosy
nobody today but our own minister
can't always listen to the same preach
er don't like strangers can't keep
awake when Pm at church fell asleep
last time | was there, don't mean to
risk it again mean to inquire of SEN
sible persons about the propriety Of
going to such place as church and
publish the result.
Year: 1866

Example has deep and lasting in
tluence upon the lives of ALL 1t is a
living lesson always before us, which
is constantly influencing us for good
or evil. Every action is word, for
actions speak as well as words, and
often have stronger import. Every
thought. word, act, and even look of
ours, is helping to build up the charac-
ters of those around us into monu-
ments of everlasting beauty or de-
formity. And thus upon our action in
this world there rests no slight re-
sponsibility.


AS we look back over the pages OF
history, we see how men have in all
ages of the world been remembered
by their examples. Some have left a
record bright with noble deeds and
actions, which awaken our admiration
and cause within us desire to be no,
bier and trner-while others have left
us record black with evil deeds,
which awaken our pity for them, not
only for the evil example whcih they
have left to posterity, but also when
we think what they might have been
had they been upright and honest. And
as their example has lived after them SO
will ours, though perhaps in a more
limited manner. Although our example
may not be handed down to posterity
from the historic page, yet it may ex,
Year: 1866

Boys, if by few earnest, heartfelt
words you may be induced to keep
clear of a vice now fearfully prevalent
in this country, it will be worth moro
to you than large sum of money.
We refer to the use of profane Ian.
guage. 1t is almost the only sin that
has neither excuse, pleasure nor profit,
Alike offensive to God and good men,
1t marks vitiated taste, a want of re.
iinement and disregard both of vir.
tue and the feelings of others. Instead
OF relieving the poison, as some de-
clare, 1t only strengthens it by giving
1T expression. If it be urged that it
is habit difficult to be broken. this is
confession that disregard of right has
become q settled part of the character.
No boy old enough to know the mean.
ing of words utters his first oath with.
out shudder F.; and if by repetition,
he is able without compunction, to
swear, it is not that the sin is less,
but because his own sense of right
has been blunted the crime and its
penalties are the same. But the habit
can be subdued. Scarcely boy or
man will use profanity in the presence
OF his mother then, if he will, he can
restrain at other times. Let every boy
respect himself too much to yield to
his habit, but rebuke profanity when
ever heard, by expressive silence and
good example, if not by words.
Year: 1866

The greatest men are often affected
by the most trivial circumstances


which have no apparent connection
with the effects they produce. An old
gentleman of whom we knew some


thing, felt secure against the cramp
when he placed his shoes, on going to
bed, so that the right shoe was on the
left of the left shoe, and the toe of the
right next to the heel of the left. II
he did not bring the right shoe round
the other side in that way, he was liza.
bic to the cramp. DIR. Johnson used
always in going up Bolt Court to pu,
one foot upon each stone of the pave


ment if he failed, he felt certain the
day would be unlucky. Button, the
celebrated naturalist, never wrote but
in full dress. DIR. Routh, of Oxford


studied in full canonicals. A celebra


ted preacher of the last century could
never make a sermon with his garters
on. A great German scholar writes
with his braces of. Reiseg, the
German critic, wrot: his commen.
taries on Sophocles with a pot of por


ter by his side. Schybel lectures, al
the age of seventy-two, extempore il
Latin, with his snufl-box constantly il
his hand without it he could not get
Year: 1866

and liveliness which will be pleasant


~ surprising to you not of the tran.


slent kind which glass of liquor af.
fords, but permanent for the tea gives
prompt stimulus and little strength.
and before it subsidies, nutriment be.
gins to be drawn from the sugar and
cream, and bread, thus allowing the
body gradually, and by safe degrees
to regain its usual vigor. Then, in a
couple of hours, you may eat full
meal, provided it does not bring it la.
ter than two hours before sundown
if later, then take nothing for that day
in addition to the cracker and tea, and
the next day you will feel refreshness
and vigor not recently konwn.


No reader will require to be ad-
vised a second time who will make a
trial as above, whilst it is fact of no
unusual observation among intelligent
physicians, that eating heartily under
bodily exhaustion is not unfrequently
the cause of alarming and painful III
ness, and sometimes sudden death.
These things being so, let every fami-
ly make it point to assemble around
the family board with kindly feelings,
with cheerful humor, and a courteous
spirit; and let that member of it be
sent from it in disgrace who presumes
to mar the ought-to-be-blest union, by
sullen silence, or impatient look, or an
cry tone, or complaining tongue. Eat
in thankful gladness, or away with
you to the kitchen, you graceless churl,
you ungrateful pestilent lout that you
are. There was a grand and good phi
losophy in the old time custom of hav-
ing a buffoon or mnsic at the dinner
table,
Year: 1866

Reader, let us always look on the
bright sids of all Of our undertakings.
for 1T is the right side. Whatever we
may do or be engaged in we should
hope for the best and look on the
bright side, although there may be, in
the distance, dark and portentous
cloud which overhangs that bright
ness. The times may go hard, but it
will make them no easier by wearing
gloomy countenance, for it will be
readily observed by the reflective mind,
that it is the sunshine and not the
cloud that makes the flower. There
is always that before or around us
which should cheer and fill the heart
with warmth. The sky is tinted with
blue ten times where it is with black
once. You may be surrounded by
troubles. So are others none are free
from them. And undoubtedly it is
better that none should be. Trouble
gives sinew and tone to Iife-fortitnde
and courage to man-which would be
q dull sea, and the mariner would new
er get skill, were there nothing to dis
turb the smooth surface of the ocean
1t is the duty of every one, both old
and young, male and female, to ex-
tract all the happiness and enjoyment
they can without and within and
above ALL they should seek for the
bright side of all things. What sig
nifies, though they are dark ? For in
the language Of patriarch, -" The
lane will turn, and the night will end
in broad day" This is another true
maxim for the thoughtless, with which
we close our third essay on Thoughts
for, Thinkers"
Year: 1866

Better than grandeur, better than gold,
Than rank and titles thousand fold,


Is a healthy body, a mind at ease, ..r
Ana simple pleasures that always please;
heart that can feel for another's woe.
And share his joy with genial glow,
With sympathies large enough To enfold
All men as brothers, is better than gold
Better than gold is conscience clear.
Though toiling for bread in humble sphere
Doubly blest with contentment and health
Untried by the lust of care or wealth
Lowly living and lofty thought


Adorn and ennoble poor mans cot,
For mind and morals in natures plan
Are the genuine test of gentleman.
Better than gold is the sweet repose
OF the sons of toll when their labors close
Better than gold is the poor man sleep,
And the balm that drops on his slumberdeer
Brings sleeping draughts to the downy bed
Where luxury pillows his aching head;
His simple opiate labor deems


A shorter road to the land of dreams.
Better than gold is a thinking mind.
That in the realm of books can find
A treasure surpassing Australian ore,
And live with the great and good of yore,
The sage's lore, the poets lay,


The glories of empire passed away.
The world great drama will thus enfold
And yield pleasure better than gold.
Better than gold is peaceful home,
Where all the fireside charities come;
The shrine of love, the heaven of life,
Hallowed by mother, or sister, or wife.
However humble the home may be,
Or tried with sorrow by Heavens decree,
The blessings that never were bought or sold
And centre there, are better than gold
Year: 1866

1t is consolation for all right min.
ded young men in this country, that
though they may not be able to com.
mand so much pecuniary capital as
they would wish to commence business
with for themselves, yet there is moral
capital which they can have that will
weigh as much as money with people
whose opinion is worth having. And
1T does not take a great while to acc,l-
mulate a respectable amount of this
capital. 1t consists in truth, to which
may be added decision, firmness, cour-
age, perseverance. With these quail
ties, there are few obstacles which may
not be overcome. Friends spring up
and around such young man as if by
magic. Confidence flows out to him
and business accmulates on his hands
faster than he cah ask it. And in q
few short years such man is far in
advance of many who started with
him, having equal talents and large
pecuniary means, and ere long our
young friend stands foremost among
the honorcd, trusted and loved. Would
that we could induce every youthful
reader to commence life on the prin-
ciple that moral capital is the main
thing after all
Year: 1866

ercise a great influence upon those
around u.s. For if we avoid evil hatr
its and endeavor to do right in all
things, many others will be induced to
act accordingly. Those who are young.
er in years are looking up to us for an
example and whether that example
be good or evil, is for US to determine.
If we were to think oftener of the ex.
ample which we are placing before
our fellow men, it would not only
save them much trouble, but also our.
selves.
Year: 1866

Is unqualifedly with the Radicals of
Congress on the question Of negro


suffrage. and opposed to the policy


Of the President. Mr.. Speed is dis
Greet in the expression of his opinions
does not unnecessarily harass or op.
pose the President, but stands firmly
Year: 1866

From the Schuyler IllD Citizen.l


On Sunday, the 10th inst, Mrs. FARMS
WORTH, aged about % years, and the mother
Of three children, the youngest about three
months old, was sent to our county poor
farm, by the overseer of the poor of Wood
stock township. She had been found in the
woods naked on the Wednesday previous, a
raving maniac After being in the poor
house a short time, she took a seat on the
porch, when kitten coming by, she seized 1t
around the neck with one hand, and delib-
erately tore out its eyes. Soon after she
killed an old cat in the same manner, and
then ran after one Of Mr.. AUsTE's little
children with a similar intent undoubtedly,
but the screams of the child brought 1t
timely assistance. She was then locked up
in one Of the rooms Of the house, but man
aged to get out, having torn of every shred
of her clothing. A room was prepared by
mailing up the window and doors with
strong bars, but she made her escape from
this also; and upon being put back would
throw herself headfOremOst against the door
and walls of the room, and tear up her bed
and clothing. Manacles and a straight
Jacket were then placed upon her, and the
floor of her room covered to the depth Of
foot or more with straw, but she continued
to throw herself against the walls and CHM
ney, and would also scraPe the straw from
the floor, and springing up light down on
her head and shoulders. Once or twice a
dose Of morphine was given her, causing
her to sleep several hours, but she would
wake up as Wild as ever. Finally, on
Wednesday afternoon, after striking her
head against the door, she was heard to
make a singular moaning noise, and on en-
tering her room she was found gasping her
last, with the blood oozing from her mouth
and nostrils.


Her head and entire body, it was found
while being prepared for burial, were black
with bruises, and her head beaten to jelly.
She resided near Cherokee creek, above
Ripley, and her insanity is attributed to do
nestle infelicity. She is said to have been
4 very handsome woman.
Year: 1866

Young married ladies whose misfortune It has
been not to bring forth in due season, remember
God has said you should multiply and replenlsh.
If this is your desire, you can consult me either
by letter or in person. No lady over thirty-fve
wears of age need make application. All commG-
nications by letter or person strictly confidential
Year: 1866

In one-fourth Of the time that it takes with the
old mode of treatment. In tals treatment no
medicine is taken internally. You receive the
baths seated on your chair, with nOinconvenience
whatever.
Year: 1866

thereof but now fashion has been in
troduced SO entirely curious and novel as
to demand mention, even though the pen
of your modest correspondent, who
bushes as he dares with sacriligou 8
hand to lift the veil that conceals the
hidden mysteries of ladies toilet. 1t
may not be amiss here for me to promise
what am about to reveal with the re-
mark that my information is from a
friend who derived his from confding
wife who derived hers from confiding
friend. The secret then is that the
young ladies ofthis city, at least many of
them, wear crutches-not crutches which
are used by individuals who have lost
one oftheir neither limbs, and require ar
tifcial support-but invisible crutehes,
worn for the purpose of keeping the
shoulders well up. The top of the erutch
fits under the arm, whilst the piece of
steele which forms the body ofthe crutch
is firmly fixed in convenient receptacle
located in certain portion ofa lady 5
attire which we will suppose that a new
kind of stay law forbids my mentioning
by name The lady thus crutched in the
'shoulder-arms, military style, goes forth
into Broadway or the avenue, (of course
the Fifth gracefully bearing on high a
pretty little parasol with her arm in such
position as to form perfect right
angle at the elbow.
Year: 1866

crystallized, and whenever the South is read
mitted, postpone II as long as you may it
will present an unbroken front, and afiliating
with some party in the North it will again
control our national politics. Every politi-
clan possessing ordinary sagacity sees this
quite plainly, and those in power, determined
to enjoy power as long as It can be made TO
last, will Of course, delay still longer and as
much longer as possible the complete resto-
ration Of the Union. .I' .. NJ


Meanwhile the country languishes, in its
abnormal condition, even as the human body
would languish with some Of its important
members restrained in the exercise Of their
functions by being confined in an unnatural
and painful position. Our Government was
never designed or adapted for such work.
holding portion Of the States us provinces
to be ruled by the central power. Other
Governments have the proper machinery for
such uses, but with us the case Is different.


We are in an anomalous condition-ten
States attached to the confederation, like q
diseased limb, not allowed to begin the exer-
else that would restore healthy condition,
and the doctors disagreeing about the disease
and the remedy. The uneasiness Of the peo-
pie is natural, and it is not surprising that
the question should be asked by the people,
"What is to be done next 2" lI


One thing is certain, viz: that the radicals
can never repair the vast mischief they have
done the country. II they were capable of
devising plan they could never agree upon
it until it had been consummated. They
can talk vaguely about preventing the Gov.
Year: 1866

We are requested TO say that the statement
in any paper of Saturday of the provincial
delegation to the Committee of Ways and
Means, with reference to the reciprocity
treaty, is in many important particulars, in
correct and incomplete; and further, that no
authorized statement can be given at this
stage of the proceedings.
Year: 1866

A citizen OF Jamaica Plains, i. l., went
to answer ring at the door at the request
of his wife, when he found nothing but a
basket. On removing the cover beautiful
little child appeared, some five months old.
The lady screamed, one of the lady's visit
ors took up the baby, and found note
pinned to its dress, which charged the gen.
tleman with being its father, and implor-
ing him to support it. A rich scene ensued
between the injured wife aud Indignant
husband, the latter denying all knowledge
OF the little one and asserting his inuo-
cencce. The friend interfered, and at last
she was induced to forgive her husband,
though he stuck to it like a. Trojan that he
had always been faithful husband. Final
ly the lady very roguishly said that it was
strange he did not know his own baby, for
it was their mutual offspring, which had
just been taken from the cradle for the pur-
pose of playing the joke. .''
Year: 1866

Mr.. WILLIAM JOHNSON, brother Of Pres-
dent JOHNSON, and Collector Of the port of
Valasco, Texas, recently died at that place
in consequence of the refusal of the physi-
clans in that place and its vicinity, who were
all rebels, to attend upon him. The Nash
vile Press and Times publish an extended
statement, giving the particulars of the case
which is an infsmously dark spot upon the
assumed high civilization of the South. In
the same connection appears a card from Mr..
JOHNSON 5 sons, showing from the statement
of DR.. LEADS, IA Federal surgeon, who was
called from distance of one hundred miles
to attend Mr.. JOHNSON, but who arrived too
late to render any valuable ad,) that Mr.. Us
death was due to the refusal of the rebel sur.
geons to give to Mr.. JOHNSON medical aid.
The Times says


Within four hours ride of Nalasco, where
Mr.. johnson lived, there were no less than
twenty physicians, yet not one would go to
the relief of the suffering man. Even the one
who had been their family physician in times
past refused to attend upon him. Mr. John
sons offence was that he and his family we're
decided Unionists and relatives of the Pres-
dent. He was quiet and industrious citizen,
and although positive in his adherence to the
Government, gave proyocation to no man, and
that was a crime not to be pardoned this side
of the grave by wretches who would make no
scruple of asking pardon from the President,
and demanding the restoration of political
power to their hands, so that they might bring
the Union citizens of Texas under proper dis
cipline. The rebels at Naasco say that they
will wait quietly unul the departure of Fede-
raj troops from the State, and that then they
will manage things to suit themselves. The
loyal citizens are justly alarmed at the pros
pect, and dread being given up to the power
of rebels who ruled the country with rod of
iron during the rebellion.


We can easily understand how loyal men at
the South sometimes grow heartsick and de
spairing whenithey contemplate the sudden
reclamation OF their State affairs by the reb
els. Let them take courage at the thought
that the loyal millions of the North are de-
termined to see that justice and protection are
guaranteed to them perpetually There are
many OF the late partisans ofthe rebellion who
intend TO be good citizens, but there are many
others who seem given over to judicial blind
ness, and are rushing rapidly to their own
ruin. The power is with the nation TO build
up or crush out, and it will protect its friends.
Year: 1866

Governor Sanders recommends to the
Legislature of Nebraska the adoption OF
measures looking to the application for ad-
mission as State in the Union.


Quite a number of the officers Of the
army who have been assigned to the Freed
mems Bureau in the South. are resigning,
because, they say, they cannot stop with our
reconstructed Southern brethren unless they
have troops to back them.


"A few days ago, while a railroad train as
stopping at Gordonsvile. Va, to leave the
mail, the mail agent, Northern man. was
assailed by a mob, who declared that no
Yankees should run on their roads The
affair being reported to the Postmaster Gen
eral, he Immediately struck Gordonsville from
the list of Post Offices.


The Judges of the United States Supreme
Court were IN consultation on the 18th, on
the subject of the constitutionalty of the test
oath.


Secretary McCulloch's finance bill will,
ii is positively stated, undergo Congressional
amendment
Year: 1866

The Missouri Democrat refers to the fact
that the 1lth of January was the first ami
versary of freedom ir Missouri. Only one
year ago slavery was formally and practically
abolished in that great State, and, instead of
the dangers and evils predicted, the State has
never been more prosperous. The negroes
have been peaceable and industrious and have
done more work than ever in any year before
Even the Secesh and Conservative press
Missouri bear testimony to the general good
conduct and industry of the colored people of
Missouri. 1t is well known fact that there
is no complaint in that State against the ne
groes as class they are universally well
behaved, and they are generally well treated
BY their white neighbors. They enjoy all the
rights of citizens, and they do not abuse their
advantages, but they are improving their own
condition, educating themselves and their
children, and acquiring property and home.
steads in many instances.


Freedom is good thing for mankind, and
liberty is blessing to negroes, as we'll as
white men, and in every way an advantage TO
community, IN spite Of all democratic dog
mas North or South to the contrary.
Year: 1866

FORTRESS MONROE, Jan. l6.


Orders were received yesterday from the
War Department to discharge all employees in
this District who had been in any way connect.
ed with the rebellion. In accordance with
these instructions the Commanding General
Immediately disnismissed all such, about
twenty five in number, giving them short no.
tice to leave the place. The Agent of the
National Express Co. was also sent away for
the same reason.


This order was undoubtedly caused by the
rumor that an organization was being formed
to rescue jeff. Davis.


Armed picket boats are are on duty con-
stantly, TO examine all vessels arriving in
this harbor.
Year: 1866

After examining Fifty seven jurors in the
Otero case yesterday, twelve were found who
had not formed an opinion as to the guilt or
innocence of the accused. They were sworn
in, after which the Court adjourned till ten
o. clock this forenoon,