smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

I married my wife about thirty-five
years ago. The ceremony was perform
ed about seven o'clock in the morning.
Before retiring that evening we had a
good talk with each other, and the result
has sWaetened our entire lives. We
agreed that each should always be watch
full and careful never, by word or act, to
hurt the feelings of the other. We were
both-young, hOt-tempered, both positive
in cur likes and dislikes, and both some
what exacting and nfiexible-just the
material for life Of conjugal warfare.
Well for a few years we found it hard
work to always live by our agreement.
Occasionally mot often) a word or look
would slip off the tongue or face beforei it
could be caught or suppressed; but we
never allowed the sun to 20 down upon
our wrath. Before retiring at night on
such occasions there was always eonfes-
sion and forgiveness, and the culprit
would become more careful in future.


Our tempers and dispositions became
gradually more congenial, so that after
few years we came to be one in reality, as
the marital ceremony had pronounced us
nominally. In thinking back we hnd
that for more than twenty years our
little agreement has been unbroken, ana
there has been no occasion for CONCESSION
and forgiveness. In business We nave
had adversely and prosperity, Iallure y, allo
success. We raised family OF cnlioran,
and now have our grandchildren about
us: and we are simple enough to believe
that we have better children, and better
grandchildren because Of ouElitfieRqree-
ment. Under such contract reliGous-
lv kept, no ill-natured children win be
reared, and no boys will find the streets
and bar.rooms more pleasant than home.
To make good wife or a good husband
requires the cooperation of both.
Year: 1878

While few of the subscribers for the
county history are using their influence TO
injure both il and its authors by decrying
them, we are glad to find that the friends
of the work and its authors estimate at its
true value the grounds Of this ungenerouS
and unmsnly spirit that thus seeks to in
fiiet private and pecuniary injure for the
qualification of an unworthy and unwhele-
some feeling. The first article is from the
Geneva Times and the other from the
Cleveland EsGdsr.E - tLEf -


This work lately published by Williams
Brothers, is receiving good deal of atten-
ton. Parties who know but little Of what
they are writing about are sending letters
to the weekly and daily papers, ridiculing
the work and charging fraud upon the
proprietors Of it. There is another side to
this subject Fair criticism of the book is
admissible and proper, but this. we are
sorry to note, Is not INDUCED in to any
considerable extent. The book, we believe,
is what the people bargained for, substan-
TALLY. Its department of general history
is excellent, its military department is as
good as the records in the Adjutant Gener-
afs Office Of the State, frnm which it was
taken affords, and if there are errors and
omissions, the fault is not with the authors
of the book. The biographical sketches of
our prominent men-Giddings, Wade,
Wilder, &C., &C., are invaluable. That
some things might have been omitted. and
the space supplied with more valuable mat
ter, is probably true. Some of the special
ties might have been cuTtailed, and the
histories of the several townships elabor-
ated. That part of the work which is OF
an advertising nature might properly have
been grouped together at the end OF the
book. But, taken as a whole, the work is
a valuable one to Ashtabnla county people
and they ought to be little grateful that
they have got so good a history OF their
county, when the chances of getting one
of any description had failed them entire
". The complaint at the price OF the
book is not well grounded when it is con-
sidered that the undertaking was purely
local in its nature There could be but
one edition. There was bat one field to
sestin. But for what the proprietors could
realize from views and portraits IN addl-
ton, the work could not have been pre-
pared at even ten dollars per copy. NO
doubt many who subscribed for the work,
afterwards found the tight times aSainst
them, and did not know how to spare the
ten dollars. Some tried to get rid Of their
obligation by charging fraud or breach OF
contract on part of Williams Brothers, or
their agents, while some who paid the price
grudginglY, aided afterwards to spread
feeling adverse to the book. 1t may be
true that the authors have not been free
from fault in their dealings with some OF
our people, but the trouble is not altogeth-
er on one side. When the the present gust
Of unreasoning passion has gone by, the
value Of our county history will begin to
be appreciated.
Year: 1878

The EsquimSux have a beautiful
custom. When little child dies they
lay q dogs head in the same grave, un-
der the impression that when 3 child
wakes up it can't find its own way 70 the
hebitatiOns of the just and that the IN
stincts of the dog win lead it thlther' -
Year: 1878

There is said to be contest between
Col. Ingersoll and the widow Van Cot
to see which shall convert the other.
The Colonel has the most charity, the
widow the most faith, and neither seems
TO have much hope.
Year: 1878

Never try to rob any one ol his
good opinion of himself. 1t is the
most cruel thing you can do. More
over, it is by no means doing what
you would be done by. Crush a
woman's self esteem and you make
her cross grained and snappish. Do
the same to man and you make
him morose. You may mean to Gre
ate a sweet, humble creature, but
You'll never do it. The people who
think best of themselves are apt to
be best. Women grow pretty in be-
lieving they are so, and fine qualities
often crop out after one has been
told one has them. 1t on y gratlfes
l momentary spite to force your own
unfavorable opinion Of him deep in
to another's mind. 1t never did any
good. All !if this world, full of awk


ward people and ugly people, of silly
people and vain people, knew their
own deficiencies, what sitting in
sackcloth aud ashes we would have !.
The greatest of all things that man
can possess is satisfactory identity.
If that which he calls | pleases him
it is well with him; otherwise he is
perfectly wretched. Let your fell
beings alone; hold no truthful
mirrors before their eyes, unless with
IA pure intention to uproot sln--so
that many a mirror without a flaw
may never be prepared for you. In
those things which we cannot help,
NAV we be ever blind to our own
shortcomings. We are neither ugly
nor uninteresting to ourselves, if we
do not know it. A fool may have
the wisdom of Solomon in his own
conceit. Let him be, and the path
to the grave will be easier for him to
tread; you will be no worse, he no
better. Leave every man as much
self.esteem as his conscience will al
low him to cherish. 1t may be a
pleasure to enlighten people in their
faults of mind and person, but it is
certainly not our duty.
Year: 1878

Never put the hands into butter.
There is no excuse for so doing, and
every sense of cleanliness forbids it.
True the hands are clean, still as
butter absorbs any and every impur-
ity with which it comes in contact,
excessive perspiration of the hands
or any humor Of the blood might
thus be impaired to the butter. a
wooden ladle to lift the butter from
the churn or to turn it over while
being washed, answers just as well
and vast deal better.
Year: 1878

CRANBERRY SAUCE,-After remov
inc all soft berries, wash thoroughly,
nlace for about two minutes in scald.
ING water, remove, and to every
mound of fruit add three quarters Of
a pound granuleted sugar and half
pint water; stew together over a
moderate but steady fire. BE care
full to cover and not to stir the fruit;
but occasionally shake the vessel OF
apply gentler heat # in any danger
of sticking or burning. If attention
TO these particulars be given, the
berries will retain their shape to >
considerable extent, which adds
greatly to their appearance on the
table. Boil from FIVE to seven min
ntes, remove from fire, turn into l.,
deep dish, and set aside to cool. II
to be kept, they can be put up al
once in air.tight jars.
Year: 1878

SOME employments may be better
than others; but there is no employ
meat so bad as the having none at
all. The mird will contract a rust
and an uniitness for everything, and
man must either hll up his time
with good, or at least innocent bu
siness, or it will run to the worst OF
waste Ito sin and vice.


One of the most remarkable facts
in the worlds commerce is that the
United States, during the past year,
is the only ration, [if we except In.
dia, whose exports exceed its i'm,
ports. The immense crops of the
United States and the large demand
in Europe will make the returns oI
next year even better than the past


If it be true, as late dispatches af
firm, that Russia is going to the sup.
port of the ameer, there will be wal
Immediately on other parts of the
line. The main struggle will prob.
ably be in the Ottoman dominions.


Our custom and habits are like the
ruts in roads. The wheels Of life
settle into them and we Jog along
through the mire because it is toe
much trouble to get out Of them.
Year: 1878

Boiled hams are much nicer to let
them stand in the water in which
they are boiled until cold; the out
side does not then turn black and
dry up as it does when taken from
the water to cool, consequently there
is less waste in preparing them for the
table. But always remember to re-
move the lid of the kettle, so the
steam may escape. This should be
done after boiling anything of the
kind.
Year: 1878

OYSTER OMELET.-Add to u hall
cup of cream six eggs beaten very
light, season with pepper and salt.
and pour into a frying'pan with II
tablespoon of butter; dropin doz
en- large oysters cut into halves, on
chopped fine with parsley, and fry
until light brown. Double it over
and serve Immediately. you have
not cream, use milk thickened to the
consistency of cream with corn
starch, adding another table spoon
Of butter.
Year: 1878

THE DEACON ANswEEED.--Up in
New Hampshire, where | lived when
a boy, says Governor Noyes, there
was an old deacon a great deal more
pious than honest. He was an old
hypocrite, and when he had done
any particularly mean thing, he eased
his conscience by going out into a
field alongside of which was a stone
wall, and, kneeling beside it, prayed
the Lord to topple it over on him if
he had done anything offensive in
his sight. Well, we boys found it
out, and one day when we saw the
deacon making for the wall we got
on the other side and waited. He
knelt down according to his usual
custom, and went through his usual
formula, closing with the petition to
have the wall topple over if he had
done anything wrong. And we top
pied it. Jumping out from under
the stones the old man cried out in
tones of mingled disgust and alarm;
"Good gracious! Can't you tell
when man is joking p
Year: 1878

PARIS, August 10.-Great interest is
manifested in Bonapartist circles concern
ing the reported engagement Of Princess
Thyra of Denmark to the ex Prince I'M
perial. 1t was reported little while ago
that he had failed in this interesting suit.
The Danish royal family has been doing
so well with its young ladies that it is
scarcely believed even now that they
would marry the stately Thyra to a young
Monsieur "Ex," while one sister is to be
Queen of England and another Empress
of Russia, with one son to be King OF Den
mark and another more or less securely
squatted on the throne of the Greeks.
Year: 1878

On SATURDAY we paid the compli-
ment to the Democratic gentlemen who
were being voted for in the race for the
candidacy for Mayor, that we would al
most guarantee the election of either
if nominated fairly and honorably.-
We have no reason to change our opinion
to-day in this particular; but we think
we have the greatest assurance in the i'm
mense vote polled and the decisive ma
iority given to Mr.. JOHN p. ALMOND,
TO satisfy any reasonable man that his
election in September TO the city Chief
Magistracy is assured. 1t is not necessary
for us to speak of the qualifications of
Mr.. ALLMoND for the position. They
are equal to those of many, of either party,
who have filled the Office with credit and
TO the satisfaction of our people. What
the people desire is plain common sense,
business qualifications, with the ordinary
education to read and apply the law as
clearly laid down in the ordinances, com
bined with the activity and energy to look
after the interests of the city; be in fact
the head of the police and see that they
are at their posts and do their duty. II
will not do to assign this to the Chief O
police. We have seen enough of thi.
during the past few terms. In fact we seen
to have had three Mayors setting about tn
police office, and yet no Mayor and III
Chief in the proper sense of the term
The person acting as Mayor in the absenc
Of his Honor seems to have been til
most faithful of the lot although havin
no commission. Mr.. ALMOND will b
elected by tremendous majority an
faithfully discharge every duty ofthe ofIic,
He is not above his business; nor will h


business be allowed to get above hin
He will receive hundreds of votes frol


the best circle of our opponents, of a


classes and color, Not because he


any better than an honest man shou


be, but because the people want III;


for Mayor who will give his attention


the duties of the Office.
Year: 1878

COMMENTS OF TIE REPUBLICAN
PREss.-The State Sentinel says:-


Our Democratic friends at the late
Convention were so fearful that the Re
publicans would get Hall that they nomi-
mated him without platform. So far, so
good.


1t was very unmannerly of the last
Convention to permit Mr.. Bayard to trav-
el to Dover and then not invite him to
speak.


The Democratic platform of this State
is magnificent conglomeration of gilt.
tering generalities. Anybody can get on
or off that platform.
Year: 1878

THE MURDER OF CoLLINs.-A dissi-
pated Mayor and a tippnng police force
will ensure disorder in any city and crime
is nearly always the result. The murder
of Mrs. Thomas by her husband, few
months ago was clearly attributable to
the use of whiskey and the murder of
Patrick Collins onSaturdey night or Sum
day morning, may doubtless be charged
to the same thing.


1t is useless to expend words over such
an affair; it is plain enough that our city
is becoming place Of unenviable motor
iety. And it is plain enough that whis-
key drinking in high official circles as an
example is one of the damaging causes.
If this murder had taken place at a club
house instead of low groggery the COM
munity might have been more startled ;
but club house drinking is only little
removed from saloon drinking. OF
course whenit is known that high officials
drink at club houses and the police
patronize low groggeries, the example is
bad, and the result is that the presence Of
noisy, riotous people in groggeries is ex'
pected to be overlooked or winked at.


Fortunately the people of Wilmington
have taken the initiatory steps to put stoI
to this thing in the future by their nomina-
ton of Capt. Gallagher on the one side
and John P. Almond on the other. We
think the election Of either of these
gentlemen will be a long stride in the
direction Of sobriety and morality. The
evidence, at length, of this dreadful mur.
der will be found in another column.
Year: 1878

The Lonoke Democrat loudly de- mands that the next Legislature shall make a reduction in the sala- ries of State officials.

 We must differ with our esteemed contemporary. We do not think our State officers get any too large sala- ries. To cut them down to the pay of an ordinary clerkship would hard ly comport with the dignity of our State, nor would ii support them as they must live at the capital. The extravaganza of our State Govern ment is not in the salaries paid our State officers, but in other matters, such as the purchasing of supplies, the public printing, the employment of supernumeraries about the State house, and the borrowing of money at ruinous rates of interest to pay expenses.

 We are in favor of Q reduction in
Year: 1878

the pay of members of the General Assembly from six to four dollars per day, and think some of the need- less offices such as adjutant-gcneral and state land commissioner should be abolished. And we are in favor of greatly reducing the appropria- tions allowed for meeting the ex- penses of the various departments, so that the heads ofdepartments will have to exercise more economy, but we are opposed to reducing the sala- ries proper of the heads of depart ments themselves. The salaries of none of them are incommensurate with the demands of the positions indeed, talent and business capacity suitable to fill honorably and eff ciently any of the positions at the head of the various departments of State. is slimly psid even at present salaries.

 The pressing need for reduction of expenses m the administration of our State government is in other quarters as above stated.
Year: 1878

Bro. Davis, of the Western Immi- grant carries a level head on the public school question. He says:

 The spirit of our constitution is that ciuilization and education shall be placed within the reach of all classes, and that no citizen of our government shall remain in Ignor- ance because of it's poverty. We think the general proposition excel lent, and, while at first. view it may be seen unfair that the means Of one man should be applied to the the ed. ucation of another's children, still upon the other hand, those who are so favored as to be in affiuent cir. cumstances and in the enjoyment of wealth, are more than repaid for their expense If they succeed in sur. rounding their interests with an en. frightened citizenship, and coupling the enjoyment of financial prosperi- with soclal intelligence and refine. ment, for the liberty, security and happiness of every man depends upon the wisdom and intelligence of the suffrage that controls the law making powers of his country.
Year: 1878

would not indicate the possession of any extraordinary ability or talent in its author, it shows, nevertheless, that he is sound on the great issues now agitating the country.

 The Chairman of the Democrat. ic State Central Committee, Col. J. N. Smithee, has declined to suggest or recommend the names of Demo cratic members of the Supervisors for the coming Congressional cleo. tion in this state. He declines upon the ground that there IS no necessity for Supervisors, as the stringency oi the state laws afford ample security of fair and free election; and fur ther that the act of 1875, authoriz ing the appointment of supervisors is of doubtful constitutionality.

 Our comments on the condition of the road from here to Dover have incurred the criticism of some, an6 they have suggested that if we want better roads we must get a better road law. That we have never had good roads under the present road law we admit, but we do not attrib ute that to the road law, but to tho way in which the provisions of the law are put into force and practice If the provisions of the present law were carried out faithfully we might have better roads; and legislature after legislature may tinker at tho road law until legislatures will be nc more and still we will have no gooG roads unless the law is faithfully enforced.
Year: 1878

We are rejoiced to see that the press of the State is taking up the subject of our Common Schools and manifesting a warm interest in it. The last Immigrant (Dardanelle, Atkins News and Forrest City Cour- Ter all had articles on this subject, also the Arkansas Daily Democrat of a late date. We believe the press of the state is the power which must AND WHICH WILL popularize the idea of Common Schools. It IS the best possible use to which we can devote our space, and we hope every paper in the state will take up the subject and never cease agitating it until those who make our laws feel the pressure of public opinion so strong ly that they will give us free school system which will be credit to our state and a blessing to the children of our land.

 We hope, too, that the friends of popular education will use their pens and contribute communications to the newspapers of the state, sug- gesting such amendments, altera- tons and additions to our school law as their experience and observa- tion with the better school system of other states may suggest.

 The one great need of our state to-day is better facilities for educat. ing the masses. Let us get this and all these other things which we de sire-immigration, prosperity, peace, good society, &c., &c., will all be added; or rather, will naturally follow.
Year: 1878

Who of our farmers are getting up specimens to send to the State Fair? Is anybody doing it9 We do hope this matter may not be neglected. Pope county can show specimens of her farm products which will cope with any which will be exhibited. By all means our county should be represented-and well represented. But what is everybody's business is always considered nobody's in partic. ular, and is consequently neglected. We call upon some one or two of our farmers in each township to select some of the best samples of every kind of farm product that can be had, and forward them to the Sere- tary of the Arkansas Fair Associa- tion, at Little Rock. Deliver them at any station on the railroad and they will be taken to Little Rock without cost to you. Mark the name of the grower or producer, the num- Der of the township and range where grown plainly on each sample, and also the yield per acre. Now, have we not one or two farmers in each township with sufficient energy and enterprise about them to do thlsp All honor to the men who will res pond.
Year: 1878

upon herself the duty of raising a school revenue without l.aving it to be defeated by the vote of few illit- crate or prejudiced voters who under the present school law have the power to defeat a school revenue each year at little annual school meeting which may not be attended by dozen voters. The State should levy the tax herself and remove it beyond the hazard of defeat in this way. If the State law provided for the annual levy of five mills school tax and then left it within the dis cretlon of the voters of each district to levy an additional tax of two and half mills we believe it would be . great improvement over the present law. And then we should favor compulsory attendance at the public schools. AS the safety of life, the security of property and the social enjoyment of life depends upon the enlightenment and intelligence oi She citizenship which uses the suf. frage in framing our laws and en. forcing the same we think the State has ample jurisdiction to compel the education of the masses.

 The subject is one we'll worth the most earnest consideration of those to whom is delegated the power to make our laws, and we trust the matter will not be overlooked by our next legislature in wrangllng over things of minor importance.