smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1867

While sauntering around lately,
we accidently witnessed one of the
most singular ornithological exhibi-
tions that ever fell under under our
observation. A chimney swallow
had only begun to balance his little
body upon the topmost branch of a
large cherry tree, when a robin of
aldramatic proportions swept down
upon him from neighboring maple.
The swallow fought nobly for a
while, and with every prospect of
SUCCESS, until his russet colored foe
was re- enforced by his mate, then,
and not until then, did the little hero
cry for quarter. Twittering loud
and piteously, he attracted the atten-
ton of some of his tribe, and to his
relief came the colony of neigh.
boring chimney. Now began a COM
bat worthy painters pencil. As
the swallows advanced and retired
in dark waves, they dealt cruel blows
at the devoted robins, who, madden
ed with pain, fought with despera-
tion; but the odds were too great,
and gasping, bleeding, quivering,
catching from bough to bough, the
robins fell to the earth, shapeless
and torn. Although immensely ex-
citing, the combat was not the most
interesting feature of this curious
exhibition. Many of the swallows
were covered with wounds given by
the sharp claws and strong beaks of
the unfortunate robbins, and these
received the immediate attention of
the unwounded, who in pairs, carried
them tenderly to their sooty homes.


Now came the final and most sin
gular feature. Tenderly, carefully,
and solemnly was each dead swallow
conveyed to the top of large chin
ney adjacent, and after piling up the
rigid bodies in one somber heap, the
entire swarm settled upon the roof
in silence, while one of their com
panions, whose great age was evident
from the light gray of his feathers,
perched upon the lightning rod, and
for some five or ten minutes cbirped,
twittered and slowly tapped his
wings. During this performance,
which was evidently an oration upon
the virtues of the deceased, the bird
audience maintained their positions
immovable, but at its close, three of
the birds, whose black, glistening
coats denoted their youth, advanced
and cautiously pushed the bodies in
to the yawnlng chimney. This ac
complished, each winged witness
sailed away, noisily twlttering as
though in heated discussion over
the fight in which each had partici-
pated.
Year: 1867

Gen. Rosecrans was recently in
vited to attend the Union ratification
meeting in San Francisco, but being
unable to accept he sent letter from
which the following is an extract
1t will be observed that the General
remains true to the cause for which
he fought so gallantly:


tits clear to me that we must have
a National party for the future, and
equally so that its bones, sinews, life
blood and intellect must come from
the Union men of the country. 1t
ought to be, and must be, composed
of those who, when told the "Nation
is lost" bravely answered; "Never,
till we perish shall this catastrophe
to human liberty be recorded"-of
those men whose thus tried courage
gave promise of that magnanimity
which have so often witnessed with
thrill of secret pride and joy that
filled me with hope and confidence
in our future.


fl could / would say to those
brave men who now frankly accept
the decision of the questions they
fought on, cast your lot with the
Union men of this nation, who oppos-
ed and fought you-trust them. Let
not q few extremists, excited by
vague or unfoun6ed apprehensions,
by personal interests or ambition,
prevent you from meeting the great
body of the National Union men
represented by Congress, and clos
ing forever the agitation about re
constr uction. This is our common
country. You are brethren. We
shall not become excited against you
because few hot heads or few
decaying politicians attempt to work
on your fe> ling for their own advan-
tage. Meet us with trust and cordi
ality, satisfy the apprehensions
ieven if you know they are unfound
ed of true though uninformed 10y
atty, and you will find rs braver,
truer, and more generous friends
than those who claim par erceI
lence, to admire You and deplore
your present situation. These are
my profound convictions l rely on
the men who fought and labored for
the utility of the nation to be the
most intelligent and persistent main
tainers of the autonomy of the States
against the extremes of anarchy or
consolidation. / know the men of
the South ought, by the instincts Of
conservatism, courage and interest,
to be with them. II these views are
correct, it is obvious that there
should be no wavering in our sup
port of the general policy of Con-
gress, however its details may or
may not require modification. No
Representative ought to be elected
to Congress on platforms of open or
convert opposition to measures
wherein fnality is more important
than detail.
Year: 1867

EVERY DAY MAxIMs.--Remember
that every person, however low, has
rights and feelings. In all conten-
tons let peace be rather your object
than triumph; value triumph only as
the means of peace.


When you meet with neglect let
it arouse you to exertion; instead OF
notifying your pride set about les
sening those defects which expose
yeu to neglect and improve those ex-
cellencies which command attention
and respect.


If you desire the common people
to treat you as gentleman, you
must conduct yourself as gentle
man should to them.


Do not attempt to frighten children
and interiors by passion. 1t does
more harm to your own character
than it does good to them. The
same thing is better done by firm
ness and persuasion.


Find fault, when you must find
fault in private, If possible, and some
time after the offence, rather than at
the time. The blamed are less in
clined to. resist when they are blamed
without witnesses.


Keep up the habit of being respect
ed and do not attempt to be more
amusing and agreeable than is con-
sistent with the preservation Of re-
spect.


Don't be too severe upon yourself
and your own feelings; keep on,
don't faint, be energetic to the last.


If you wish to keep your mind
clear and body healthy, abstain from
all fermented liquors.-,Sidney Smith.
Year: 1867

Mysterious beast, that, with thy long proboscis,


puncturing venomously for our blood,
Dost make our human ears as big as asses,
And all our faculties as clear as mud.
Blood thirsty beingl say. (nor sing thy answer,)


For what disease dost thou thy lance apply?
have no vertigo, cramp, collie, cancer


BE sure there is a winker in your eye!
Or if no surgical ntentinspire you,


Say, what would satisfy your greedy nav
quart of blood-a gallon? What require your


For what rich bride will you withhold your


jaw?


vow, I'd sacrifice my best blood heifer,
II for her blood my own calf you would leave,
Or knock my fattest pig than poker sitter,
If my own bacon thus might relieve.
In vain! in vanl your voice is still for singing
4 A very ShylOck in your foul intent
Yet one more offer-only cease thy singing,


And take my blood-In freely give cKSri
Year: 1867

The HUMAN BODY AND THE HOUR
OF DAY.-Seat yourself at table
Attach a piece of metal (say a shil-
ling) to thread. Having placed
your elbow on table, hold the
thread between the points of the
thumb and fore-fnger, and allow the
shilling to hang in the center of the
glass tumbler; the pulse will imme
diately cause the shilling TO vibrate
like pendulum, and the vibrations
will increase until the shilling strikes
the side of the glass; suppose the
time of experiment be the hour of
seven, or half past seven, the pendu-
lum will strike the glass seven times,
and then loose its momentum and
return to the center. If you hold
the thread a sufficient length of time
the effect will be repeated, but not
uutil sufficient space Of time has
elapsed to convince you that the ex-
pertinent is complete. We need not
add that the thread must be held in a
steady hand; otherwise the vibrating
motion would be counteracted. At
whatever hour of day or night the
experiment is made, the coincidence
will be the same.
Year: 1867

HAS Just Received large Spring Stock
IL of the Latest and most Fashionable
goods in the above line to be found, which
will be shown to callers with pleasure, and
sold at extremely low prices.


gB- All work in line, done to order prompt
ly. and warranted.


Agency also fer the renowned
Year: 1867

II may be truly said that the present Of supply
ample furnish each inhabi'ant with even twice
the amount necessary for all legitimate purposes IL the
consumers would proper measures 10 prevent loss
but when the taxable community Is asked TO pay nor
dnatey for erecting works and aqueducts the upper
Hudson and the Housatopic merely TO furnish facilities
for useless 1t becomes different thing altogether
and the public may very well put the query made pro-
verbal By the late Artemus Ward, "Why this thusf'


Before closing II may be well 10 mention that re-
form needed In the matter Of collecting water rents
The power Of establishing water rates should be vested
the Croton Board for, matters stand, those
who consume the most pay the least rroporonae share
OF the tax There ways by which the water rent
s now collected One In accordance with the provisions
Of the Stale law, by which levy Is made in accordance
with the number OF feet front and Of the stories OF


building no regard whatever bsing paid TO the amount
used therein. Tho other, called extra rent" IL by or
dnanco Of the Common Council, under which the water
can be cut Oh for nonpayment AZ well might the tax
be levied In accordance with the color OF building or
the style OF the furniture therein by tho present
mode; Tor house OF three stories may contain one
family OF six, or ten families Of each and Of course
more or less water viii be used ns these numbers may
vary, though the building and the tax remain the same
In each case Let reform be Introduced In this matter
forthwith, for II 10 most earnestly required.
Year: 1867

Bulls HEAD-The last live stock market OF the
year closes very different from the opening one In COM
parison We have less cattle iOiOO ess sheep and
1000 moro hogs Prices Of cattle are now 2a9Sc. n
lower sheep about &C., and hogs Si b lower than these
Trade In all kinds Is slow, the small numbers suf-
fcng for all wants oven I'm storm threatening to
cut off further arrivals Cheap poultry has much to do
with this dullness The total supply for the year shows
heavy gains OF CATTLE sheep and hogs over any previous
season.
Year: 1867

From MEADow LAKE.-We bad conver.
sation yesterday, says the Gazette, with Frank
F. Adler, who arrived from Meadow Lake on
Monday evening. lie brough! with him the
amalgam from fifteen and half tons Of ore
taken from the Golden Eagle ledge, and
crushed at the company's mill, which be is
taking TO MarysviIs TO have assayed. Ac-
cording TO previous retorts, the yield Of the
last crushing will be twenty.four dollars a
ton. The company commenced their mill
after the first fail Of snow, and have been
running it successfully for sometime, although
there is now fifteen feet Of snow around their
works. They keep ten men men employed
in the mill and mns The California Com
pany have struck their dge in the tunnel,
at a depth Of ninety feet, and are now run,
ming through the foot WALL The mill Of the
Mohawk and Montreal Company will be
completed and in running order about the
middle Of this month. considerable guam
tity Of ore from the ledge Of this com mpany
was reduced last season, yielding large re.
turns, and they have out now large am cunt
Of rock ready for crushing. Not withstand.
ing the deep SHOWS at Meadow Lake, the
residents had gay time during the winter,
and are hopeful Of prosperous times in the
approaching Summer.
Year: 1867

The Dress IN THE BLACK CRooK.-A
New York correspondent Of the Petersburg
Index gives the following account of the
dress Of the "Iadies" in the celebrated play
Of the Black Crcoke, which has bad such a
famous run in New York. He says:


"1he ballet troupe consist Of better look
ing young ladies than the ordinary run Of
such troopes, and it is astonishing 10 see TO
what degree Of perfection they have reduced
the practice of economy in dress. II Mrs.
Eve could find herself in Niblo's, think that
she would feel perfectly at home, and Mr.
Adam would not think of blushing at all
on account of his scanty supplied wardrobe.
don't exactly know how to describe the
costume, but it reminds me very much Of
pictures that used to see in Mlchell's ge,
ography, when was at school, Of "native
Hotlentols." II isa mighty convenient cos
tune for dancing. You can't tread on their
skirts to save your life, and there is no dan.
ger Of being tripped up by crinoliue as you
60 around in German. No collars or cuffs
to be mashed no sleeves to be ripped in
short it is so close to nothing that you are
long time finding out the difference and if
you don't like my description, just come on,
buy two tickets, and will carry you to see
it,"
Year: 1867

HE was once member Of Democratic
Central Committee!"- Selkirk.


I have been under the impression that the
Democracy had committed great error at
some time for which it has been suffering de'
feat for the last few years. 1t appears from
the above extract that the old Democratic
ship had Jonah aboard, and until be was
cast out it was in great danger Of being
foundered. Print it, scatter it broadcast,
proclaim it from the house top, that SeIkirk
is no longer a member Of Democratic
Committee, or Of the party, and the success
Of the party is insured. When this Jonah
was cast overheard the great radical whale
swallowed him, and he has been kicking
and hounde'ing in the ntestines Of the filthy
monster ever since, and now it is behaved
that the monster is making for the shore to
cast up the evil creature that has sickened
it we'll nigh unto death.


Connecticut has probably heard that Sell
kirk is Radical. @
Year: 1867

New LINE.-lhe Daily Record SAYS, it is
reported that a new line of steamers between
San Francisco and New York via Panama


will be shortly put on, the preliminaries hav'
ing been already arranged and the steamers
in readiness. BY the recent consolidation
OF the Coast lines, the steamships Idaho and
Montana are laid up and it is thought they
will be placed on the Opposition to Panama.
Year: 1867

The MALLErT CEMENT CLAIM.-We made
a visit to this claim on Wednesday last
and was surprised TO see the amount Of
work that had been done. The Captain has
evidently struck into an old river channel,
which is rich in gold. Ground has been
taken up adjacent to the Mallet claim, and
parties owning it will soon erect mill.
The success Of Captain Mallett will induce
others to erect mills, and We expect to see
the entire ridge yot claimed and worked.
Year: 1867

SUSPENDED BY THE TnUMB.-One of the
employ ees Of the G. p. r. r. Co. while work.
ing at the pile driver in use north Of the
slough got his thumb caught between the
drum aud rope and would have been killed
but for the timely stopping Of the engine by
the engineer who was watching him at the
time.-DutcA Fiat Enquirer.
Year: 1867

during the late General Assembly of
that State, was exelaiming that Eve
protest against congressional action"
amember who possessed some talent in
pencil, sketching, drew a huge tom-cat
with rat in his jaws I: ont OF the rats
mouth proceeded the Words 81 pro-
test" The sketch was shown to fell


low senator as practical illustration
of the speakers advice and the position
Year: 1867

CAR MAGlc.-The Erie (Pa.) Dis
patch tells an elephantine railroad story.
A westward bound express train was
suddenly stopped by the engineer in
answer to a stroke of the bell, to which
a rope was attached that ran through
the cars. On receiving the usual {" all
right from the conductor he proceeded,
but in a minute or two was again check
ed in the same manner. In answer to
the conductors query why he broke up,
the engineer said he was warned by the
bell, which the former declared he had
not rung. Some Angry and mutually
accusative phrases were indulged III for
time, and finally 4 watch was set in
each car to trap the supposed malicious
person who Kindred the progress of the
train. The check-string was pulled


finally got his anger up to the highest
pitch, and would not heed it. AS soon


as the train approached her destination,


however, the patent brakes Operated
by the back action Of the hell-rope) sud-
denl Y were let down and the train came
to a dead halt yet no culprit had been
discovered by the vigilant detectives.
A search was thereupon instituted in
the freight cars, and in one ofthem ba
by elephant, the property of an itinerant
proprietor, was found, which
had peen amusing itself by winding the
slack string around its trunk. This is
the first instance where trunk IN bag
gage car has been used for similar
purpose.
Year: 1867

AN ACT for the relief Of certain contractors


for the construction of vessels -ofwar and


steam machinery.


Be IL enacted by The Senate and House Of RepTe-
sentatiUes Of the United States Of america in Con-
greSs assembled, That no Secretary OF the Navy Is
hereby authorized and directed to Investigate the
claims Of all contractors for building vessels-of-
war and steam machinery tor the same under con-
tracts made after the first day of May, eighteen
hundred and sixty-one, and prior to the hrst DAY
January, eighteen hundred and siXty-four, and
said investigation to be made upon the following
basis He shall ascertain the additional cost
which was necessarily incurred by each con-
tractor in the completion of his work by reason
of any changes alterations in the plans and
specifications required, and delays in the prose-
cuti0n of the work Occasioned by the government,
which were not provided tor in the original con-
tract; but no allowance for any advance in the
price of labor or material shall be considered
uuless such advance occurred during the pro-
longed time for completing the work rendered
ed necessary by the delay resulting from the ac
tion of the government aforesaid, and then only
when such advance could not have been avoided
by the exercise of ordinary prudence and dill
gence ON the part of the contractor, and from
such additional cost, to be ascertained as afore-
said, there shall be deducted such sum as may
have been paid to each contractor for any reason
heretofore over and above the contract price, and
shall report to Congress ta uar statement of
each case, which shall contain the name of the
contractor, a description OF the work, the con-
tract price the whole increased cost OF the work
over the contract price, and the amount of such
increased cost caused by the delay and action OF
the Government as aforesaid, and the amount al
ready paid the contractor over and above the con-
tract price Iroyidcd. That the Secretary of the
Navy, under the resolution, shall investigate the
claim of ". H. Webb for constructing the steam
er Dunderberg, applying the provisions of this
resolution in such Investigation except that prop
er consideration shall be given to the increased
cost incurred by said Webb by reason of any al
teraton in the plans ond specifications for the
Dunderberg made during the progress of the
work, whether such alterations were provided
for in the original contract not. when payment
for the same was not embraced in the contract
price.


Approved, March O. 1867.
Year: 1867

The following, duly signed, recently appeared IN
in one of the western newspapers:


Whereas, at particular times | may importune
my friends and others to let me have some liquor
which is hurttul TO me and detrimental to society;
this is therefore, forbid any person selling me
liquor or letting have it any account. for ii
they do viii positively prosecute them, notwith-
standing any promise may make TO the contrary
at the time they may let me have it.
Year: 1867

WHAT A YOUNG LADY FOUND IN HER
PRAYER Book. We went to church and then
we went to dinner Everybody should so to
church on Christmas, and almost everybody
did. And here is the proper place to put on
record piece of most trightful impertinence..


| sat in the church. and the spicy odors Of
eyergreens and the softer perfumes Of frangl-
panni filled the edi6ce like incense The mild
tones of the plump parson had finished the
sermon, discreetly made brief, and we, knelt
for the final prayer | opened my book, and
simultaneously somebody, whom heard but did
not see, opened the door Of the pew behind us
and went out. I said [ opened my book,
(crimson velvet with cold clasps,) rather. it
opened ITSELF for Il card had been thrust be-
tween its pages. And on that card was writ
ten thus:


Lady, in vain I strive while thou art nigh
An unmarried worship to bestow: my eye


Will wander from the book my vagrant heart
Turn from the service and the priest apart


Yet in nv creed hold it right and dare
To worship Truth and Beauty everywhere,
Nor fear to be considered guilty, when .
[ sigh"Ah girls!" while others breathe "Amen!''


1t is not my vanity that makes me copy this.
| blush as do so, and do not know whether
it is more at the sacrilege, the rudeneSs, or the
ahominable attempt at the witticism.-E
Year: 1867

The LYRE BIRD.-The London Field says:
We have great pleasure in announcing the ar
rival of a fine, healthy male specimen OF the
Tyre bird (Menura superba) at the geological
Gardens, Regents Park. This bird has not
hitherto been imported alive ipto Europe. 1t
is found only in New South Wales, where it
inhabits the dense scrub and bushes that are
SO characteristic Of that country: In conse-
uuence of the habits of the bird and its ex
treme shyness, it is most difficult to shoot, aud
still more so to obtain alive. The superb Tyre
bird (for there are two other species) is about
the size of fowl; it is of a brown color, and
would not be in any way remarkable were it not
for its extraordinary tail. This mainly consists
of two curved feathers, each about two feet in
length when fully grown; these are SO curved
that they present the exact shape Of an ancient
Tyre Between these curved feathers are others
Of filamentous character, that may be taken,
not inaptly, to represent the strings OF the IN
strument This tail is carried erect when the
bird is excited; but in fleeing through the un, !,
derwood of the bushes it is allowed to tall
horizontally
Year: 1867

His attachment to Austin was variable
inasmuch as they both disagreed as to
the political excitement of the times. His
heart was ever ready to declaim against
the grievances of the South by Northern
misrepresentation and encroachment on
civil rights; while Austin attributed all
the ruin of its affairs to the one social
evil. 1t will be seen from this difference
that their destinies were cast in opposite
directions, and their career collectively
mingled In doubt, error and suffering. 1t
was essential that their opinions were
known to each other; for both were soon
called upon to act in the causes they had
espoused Costardo hurried to the wars,
enrolled himself as volunteer In the ar
my of Beaurcgard, and gave himself en-
tirely up to the destiny of the South.