smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1874

we will have some to sell. We have about
thirty shade trees. The groves look beau
full around here. Our garden looks very
good. My flowers have all come up. We
have all Of our corn cultivated; it is grow
ing nicely. We have no tame roses in
blossom, but there are some wild ones in
blossom in our garden. There has been
quite rain here but it is very warm now
and everything is growing finely. There
has been quite number Of fish caught in
Club lake this summer; all of our school is
going up to the lake to fish, and we will
have nice boat ride. Our school will be
closed in three weeks. The Changers had
a picnic on the 18th, but l didn't 60; our
teacher had school and went to school ;
some Of our scholars went We had only
ten scholars that day.


You made a mistake in my other letter.
You said 81 acres Of potatoes when we have
but one-half.


Yours truly,


ELECTA WERR
Year: 1874

Don't be ashamed, my lad, if you have a
patch on your elbow; it is no mark of dis
grace. 1t speaks we'll for your industrious
mother. For our part we would rather
see dozen patches on your clothes than to
have you do q bad or mean action, or to
hear profane or vulgar word proceed
from your lips. No good boy will shun
you because you do not dress as we'll as he
does. And if any one laughs at your ap-
pearance, never mind it. Go right on do
ing your duty. Fear God rather than man !;
love Him early, and serve him faithfully,
and there shall be laid up for you in
Heaven treasures that fade not away
Little Waterman.
Year: 1874

WE might as we'll laugh as cry these
dull times, and the following is applicable
to the present financial crisis During
the great financial collapse Of 1857, gen
tleman of color kept bank in Western
city. His institution was apparently in a
sound condition, but to be in fashion with
the white folks he concluded to fail. Next
morning man came and shook the door,
but voice inside responded that "de
bank is closed" But the man replied
that he had left a new pair Of boots there
the day before and wanted them. The
sable fnancier opened tho door softly,
and throwing out one boot, remarked,
"We is only paying fifty cents on de
dollar"
Year: 1874

ALMOST every body has heard OF camp
meeting John Allen" concerning whom
the following story is told: lie once APP
pointed meeting in school house in
Maine, but tho day proving stormy, no
body came but the preacher. He con-
cluded to hold meeting nevertheless,
and as he opened the Bible for Il text, his
eye fell on these words: "And they all
forsook him ard fed" After preaching
from this apprc pirate text he gave notice
that in four weeks from that day he would
preach there again. We are assured by
the narrator of this story that although
nobody was present to hear this notice,
the school house was crowded four weeks
from that day.
Year: 1874

A SINGULAR TREE.-In the island Of
Goa, near Bombay, there is a singular
tree called "the sorrowful tree''-be because
it only Aourishes in the night. At sunset
no flowers are to be seen, and yet half an
hour after it is quite full Of them. They
yield a sweet smell ; but the sun no soon
er begins to shine on them than some of
them fall off, and others close up, and
thus it continues Towering iE the night
during the whole year.
Year: 1874

A LITTLE boy in st. Cloud few days
ago, undertook to see if he could lift him
self by banging on a mules tail. lie
found out all about it, and the doctors
think the skin on his forehead will grow
up, but will leave bad scar.
Year: 1874

LEGAL decisions clash frequently. If
man is drunk and noisy in railroad
coach, and the conductor puts him off the
train, the company is sued for damages.
If he Is drunk, noisy and abusive to
passengers, and the conductor does not
put him off, the company is held to an
swer for criminal negligence If the fellow
hurts any one.
Year: 1874

To see how eagerly man will catch
at straw it is not necessary to see ono
drowning. The phenCmenon is now
manifest chiefly within saloons where one
end Of the straw ia immersed in tum-
blar
Year: 1874

King Caucus is o very powerful potentate,
whom nobody likes, but whom everybody en-
dures. He is to very great extent that
source of power which is supposed to reside
in the people When nomination is to be
made, whether it be for President of the
United States or q town constable, it is the
caucus which dictates the nomination. How
the caucus came into existence or how it is
composed nobody seems to know nor very
much to care. Indifferent people take no part
in the primary political work of campaign,
and the 'active" politicians, of whom there
are never more than two or three in each
party in the same election district, manipulate
matters to suit themselves. 1t is not difficult
to understand that a system based upon the
will Of few men among the many should be
a sham, and that its operations, whether in
county, State or national convention, should
be very far from expressive of the real will Of
the people The caucus system is an ire
sponsible tyranny, which is corrupt as well as
arbitrary. All this is admitted even by its
friends but in the practical workings of our
politics it seems impossible TO find anything
better. The press occasionally takes up the
subject, and while the corruption and wrong
and tyranny of the system are made plain
enough, the way out of the evil does not so
clearly appear. Now and then we hear
a suggestion which is valuable For in
stance, the Taunton Gazette in discussing
this subject remarks that sit is as easy to
register party voters for q primary as for
regular election, aud the party which first
adopts this plan will certainly save itself from
the ipnputstion that grocery store clique or
Year: 1874

ITALY AorrArEp By TIRE INTERNATIoSAL1srs-- -
The democracy of Italy is becoming uneasy
nnder the influence of the International
There is a popular excitement in Rome,
Florence and other cities of the Kingdom.
Eight leaders of the International have been
arrested in the capital, and other arrests have
been made elsewhere. Papers have been
seized the contents of which 90 to prove
that the International has been making
great progress of late within the
territory of the Italian royalty. King
Victor Emmanuel must become watchful and
a little more attentive to business. He NAV
soon require the possession Of all that quality
of vigilance which distinguished his famous
ancestor, Humbert of the Hundred Eyes.
Why did the Pope show himself to the people
On Sunday, the 21st of June, at one of the
windows Of the vatioan7
Year: 1874

DISTINGUISHED PEDEsrR1ANs.-We publish
in our news columns an account Of an inter
ssting pedestrian trip made by two of Presi-
dent Grants sons, accompanied by two young
friends These gentlemen found the pleasure
to be derived from this kind Of amusement
much greater than they had hoped for. It
would be great advantage to the young men
of America if they could be induced to spend
q portion of their summer vacations in ram
bles through their own country. Thei,
health would be benefited and they would
learn that this country possesses many beau
ties well worthy of attention.
Year: 1874

Our EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENCE will be
found full of interesting gossip about men and
events. There is an account of the Prince of
Wales fancy ball for the benefit of such as
take an interest in such matters The story
of the famous attempt to shoot Bismarck is
not quite told yet, and as there are some racy
and amusing incidents connected with that
foolish and criminal attempt our correspond
ents have hastened to let the American public
know all about it. Some unpleasant rumors
Are aaoat in London as to the probability of a
new Ashantee war; but it is to be hoped that
these are only club canards, manufactured
after dinner. The great questions of suprem-
Acy and progress in Asia and India are also
treated in an instructive manner.
Year: 1874

AMERICAN TEAvEL IN ENeLAND.-Our Lon
don correspondent furnishes some invaluable
hints to Americans desiring to see the pleas
ant side OF outdoor English life How sweet
and pleasant that life is may be guessed from
the graphic sketch furnished by our CORE
spondent The hustle and ceaseless activity
of London life, the whirl of society as it
rushes on its giddy rounds, are likely to at
tract so strongly the attention of the foreign
visitor that he would never expect to find the
quiet of country life combined with the
charm of city society within few miles of
the crowded metropolis. And yet it is there
if he will only seek it out.
Year: 1874

SMALLPOX IN THE CTY.-We learn that
there is an increase in the number of cases of
smallpox at present as compared with last
summer. There appears no reason whatever
for positive scare in the public mind, as this
dreaded disease is always more or less preva-
lent in large cities, and New York has been
singularly fortunate in its partial immunity
from the scourge. The report however,
degree of vigilance and urge them to adopt
Immediate, strict measures in regard to vac
rination in those districts which have been
hitherto overlooked.
Year: 1874

Our COMMERCIAL RELATIONS
to the annual report on the commercial rela-
tions between the United States and foreign
nations, which has just been issued, our inn
portation and expectation may be considered
as in favorable condition. Canada has
benefited considerably by the withdrawal Of
the Reciprocity Treaty, to judge from the vast
business she has been enabled to do with the
mother country, and the stupidity of our ma
tional legislation still gives the balance Of
power to England in the commercial carrying
trade. Still, the exhibit is not bad for
America.
Year: 1874

curbstone gang can throttle hundssdfold IL
number Of citizens and compel them to vss
for unworthy men or throw away their votes. "
But before any system like this can come into
general use the caucus must consent, through
county and State conventions organized under
the dictation of the CAUCUS Aud even then
we are not sure that the results would bs
found to differ in any great degree from what
they are at present. The indifference of the
best men in both parties would still continue.
Political expenses would be largely increased,
and corruption is always increased by the
profuse use of money even for legitimate po.
litcal ends. There would still be plenty Of
opportunity for wire-pullng and manipulation,
and 80 we almost despair of King Caucus be-
ing near the end of his reign.
Year: 1874

Nor since last autumn has General Grant
shown any feeling but that of indifference in
regard to the results Of the State elections.
The administration did nothing for the repub-
ican ticket last spring in New Hampshire or
Connecticut, and did nothing to save the
party from its recent heavy defeat in North
Carolina. On the other hand, in 1872 no
stone was left unturned by the administration
to carry these States, and they all were car
ried. The conclusion inevitably follows that
General Grant now desires to prove to the re-
publican party that he is necessary to its sue
cess q nd upon his own terms, or that he de-
sires new party in its place and under the
flag of General Grant for third term.


For either of these designs his reticence
upon this third term mystery is working we'll
in the Generalization of the republican party,
and there is no third proposition which will
fit the case. Returning, then, to these recent
Southern elections, their bearing upon the
Presidential succession may be readily de-
fined. They do not point to General Grant as
the republican candidate; they have not turned
upon Grant as the probable opposition candi-
date They point to the overthrow Of the re-
publican party and the administration. In
short, the opposition argument against the
dominant party is its argument against the
continuance of Grants administration. How,
then, the Southern opposition elements are to
detach the administration from the despotic
acts, usurpations and corruptions of the re-
publican party in the nomination of General
Grant for third term we cannot tell. We
see, however, that this difficulty Of third
term is breaking down the republican organi-
zation, and that the continued silence of Gen
eral Grant will result, first, in an opposition
majority in the next House of Representatives,
and next, perhaps, in another message to the
two houses congratulating them upon the ex-
tnction in our recent elections of those party
lines which have heretofore divided the people
and determined in advance the results of our
political elections
Year: 1874

secure her against the enmity excited at
Madrid. She was in a position to obtain,
with the consent and even the applause of
Europe, the friendship and close alliance of
Spain by easy operations that would have
been instructive exercises for her army. In
stead of that she drove Spain into the arms of
Germany, and she discovers the propriety of
treating her neighbor fairly and generously
only when that neighbor no longer needs her
and has even made terms against her.


But what is the condition of our own diplo-
macy In regard to this case? What does Mr.
Fish know of the terms agreed upon between
Germany and Spain? Mr.. Bancroft was SO
fondly loved in Berlin that the Foreign Office
probably had no secrets from him, and Mr..
Cushing is such a miracle of astuteness that
he has doubtless sent from Madrid the later
chapters of the story so our State De-
partment is doubtless in possession of all the
facts, and has even made its protests and OBJ
jections where any seemed necessary. Itwould
be very proper for the people to know if any
were necessary and what they were. Our in
terest in the alliance between Germany and
Spain can only be second to that Of France,
for Spain is an American Power. Did the
price of Germanys support of Spain involve
any territory in this hemisphere?


Months have already passed since we were
told somewhat vociferously that Spain had
refused to give Germany ''a mortgage" on
some fher outlying possessions in the Pacific.
1t is very apt to be the case in matters of this
sort that the first we hear of great successes
is that they are failures. The reported refusal
of Spain may be false or true, but it was a
significant scrap Of news. 1t indicated
what sort of collateral or equivalent
Germany desired in consideration of ad-
vances of men or money to Spain and
the species of property being thus pointed
out it should at least pique the curiosity OF
maritime nations to know if Spain did not
give mortgage on the Pacific islands named,
Year: 1874

Among the prominent republicans at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel las night was Lieutenant Governor
Robinson. In course OF conversation with Q
HERALD reporter q reference was made by Gen.
eral Robinson to the third term question. In re-
ply TO an inquiry as to whether General Dix would
declare himself on this matter, the Lieutenant
Governor Said that he had no doubt that If the
answer 1t so clearly that nobody would mistake
tae position taken Dy Governor DIX. At the same
that in his judgment the question OF the third
term in ITS relation TO the present State canvass,
was quite aside OF any important interests in
voived therein He did not believe that the people
were much exercised by that question; neither did
he think there would nave been any anxiety about
It telr by the people, mad been for the articles
In the HERALD 1.-The early articles in the HERALD
have In my Judgment" said General Robinson,
s'ppt the question before the country and sttmu.
lated premature expression OF opinlon.u
Year: 1874

The story set anoat that it was "ring" at
Van Barren that brought out the fame Of Mr.
Turner for the Convention, was started by
Wilcox aud Thomson AMI promulgated by
them to Others, without the least shadow of
foundation for truth. If there is ring y
they are at the head and front of it, and had
none but selfish motives III attempting to ar
ray the people of the country against Mr.
Turner and the city Of Van Buren.


Mr.. Turner is not in any sense of the term
an oiiice-secker and never has been before
the people since We have been in the State
without being first called out by them, but on
the other hand, If our readers will refer to the
political history of the County for the past
fifteen years, will see that these two men have
most always been aSpirants or candidates for
office. Mr.. Wilcox was U. s, District Attor-
ncy before the war. Mr.. Thomson was a
member of the Convention that declared for
secession and up to the commencement of
the war was in office and during the war he
was an ollice-holder under the Confederate
government. Then the first thing after the
war he and Wilcox both turn up again for Of
lice as members Of the Legislature and were
in Office when the State was reconstructed by
the General government, and now, the first
thing after having been enfranchised but a
few weeks, both are eager aspirants for Office.
Both were candidates from Brooks OF the
place Of Judge Ham, and it is said both had
the promise oflt--and one ofthcm was an as
prant for the SAME place from GOV. Baxter,


This is truly the chronic office seekers wing,
and who ring themselves liz without consult
ing the people at large hy packed meetings
ana conventions.
Year: 1874

The Little Rock Republican in recent
issue. takes occasion to most foully
abuse this gentleman and to degrade him
in the eyes of the people Of the State
Where he is known, the vituperations OF
this thicvlng Brooks organ will have nc
effect to injure him. Dr. White was Q
member of the Legislature from this Dis
trict and ives appointed by the Speaker
chairman Of the impeachment Commit.
tee. ina, he was energetic and prompt
in the discharge Of the business before
that committee, his work shows for it
self, Lut that lie went beyond the evi-
deuce before the committee, not even
the bastard who writes the scurrilous
attack on the member from this District,
has any evidence to show


1t was not prudent nor was it nccessa-
ry for the committee to present the over
wholming evidence before them to the
House. 1t was sufficient that the com.
mittcc were unanimous in their report OF
articles of impeachment and SO reported
them, and they wer. also, as almost unan.
imously passe by the House. The
BROOKS organ, and all those impeached
will know the evidence just as soon and
as fu!! as they will wish it,


The committee are fully sustained by
Governor Baxter's supporters In thls
County, in the feerless, prompt manner
they have taken in impeaching this whole
rebe!lious crew Of plo,tcis against The
State government,


We did not support DR., White in the
election that returned him to the Legis
la,ure from this District, but the course
he has pursued in this and other matters,
commends him to our warmest approva.
and does meet the appreciation Of al
well wishers of the State, unless he is
bound up in "Old Joe TO the exclusion
Of all honest expression.
Year: 1874

~ The chronic office seekers ring" make
their boasts that they will break down the


Press before they are done with it Unless
they show more tact and skill in breaking us
down, than they do in building up their own
business. they will not do us much harm. As


we tolG one Of them at the start, (when


warned Of the cOnsequenccs) if the Press sunk
out OF sight, never to be heard of again, we
should do what we believed right and for the
best interest of the people of the State, and
with our own firmly seated convictions OF
right, should support Gov. Baxter 10 the eN-
tent of our feeble ability. We fear no perma-
nent injury from these men,-they may belle
and belittle rs. but they never will drive us
from what we believe to be our duty to the
people of the State.


We did not and do not support Gov. Baxter
on: Of any personal feeling. but because he


has stood up and that manfully for the people
OF Arkansas, at a time too, when more than
ordinary men would have yielded to the very
fattcring brides offered, attached rs they
We're to the threatening promulgations of
Clay & Co. of the dire vengeance to follow
il not acquiesccd in by him. They could not
buy him-they could not coax hm-they
could not drive him. Then why should we,
why should the good people Of the State de-
sert him in the hour Of trial. We are conf
dent they will not.
Year: 1874




WHAT MARK TWAIN THINKS OF
THE ROYAL BRIDE.-Mark Twain
in his Innocents Abroad thus de-
seribes the Duchess of Edinburgh as
she appeared about seven years ago:
During the imperial reception who
ever chose stepped forward and
spoke with the modest little Grand
Duchess Marie, the Czrr's daughter.
She IS fourteen years old, light-hair-
ed, blue-eyed, unassuming and
pretty Further on he + = d
was glad 10 observe that she wore
her own hair, plated in thick braids
against the back Of her head, in
stead of the uncomely thing worn
by Americans, which is about as
much like q waterfall as q canvas
covered ham is like a cataract.
Taking the kind expression that is
in the Emperor's face and the
gentlcness that is this young daugh-
ters's, into consideration, wonder
ed if it would tax the Cars firm
ness the utmost TO condemn q sup
plicating wretch to misery in the
wastes of Siberia If she pleaded to
him. Every time their eyes met 1
saw more and more what a power
that weak, difident school girl could
WELD if she chose to do it. Many
and many a time she might rule the
Autocrat of Russia, whose lightest
word is law to seventy millions Of
human beings. She was only u
girl, and she looked like a thou
sand others 1 have seen, but never
a girl provoked such a novel and
peculiar interest in me before. A
strange, new sensation is a rare
thing in this humdrum life, and l
had IL here.
Year: 1874

Alas for veilsl From the tiny
infant in the nurses arms to the
ancient widow in her weeds, the
whole sex is veiled. Wells answer
many purposes. They conceal de-
fects, they highten beauty, they
cover grief, and so we see a whole
race Of women Of every age, style
and condition laying foundations
for diseases of the eye through an
almost needless fashion. These
blinders are of every conceivable
style, frem the white dot on the
child to the English Grape on its
grandmother. The best oculIsts
give testimony against this whole
sale wearing of wells, and we think
they should make. protest against
it, even at the risk of injury to
their calling. At least let the
mothers Of TO day look to it that
they will be held responsible, in
another generation, for suffering
their little ones to 90 yelled as the
matrons Of a past generation were
for allowing tight lacing and all the
evils which that distressing prac-
tice entailed.
Year: 1874

SALT FOR HOGs.-Thc Agricul-
turist says: The unrestrained appe-
tite Of swine will often lead them
to consume things that arc highly
injurious TO them. Cases Of poison
ing partaking of excessive quaint
titles of salt often occur among
hogs at this season when beef and
pork barrels are emptied of the old
brine and refuse salt. a case in
which several hogs were thus lost
IN England was recently noted.
Hogs require a certain amount of
salt, as do other animals, but it
should be given to them with eau
tion. and either mixed evenly i'm
their feed or scattered very thinly
about their trOughs, so that one
more greedy than another can not
take more than its proper share.