smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1866

During the late canvass in Maryland,
towns projected grand procession, one
lfnature of which was to be negro rid


q on bureau. The piece Of furniture
was easily purchased, but the man was
not to be hired, although the most needy
and the most worthless colorcd men I'm
the neighborhood were applied to. Not
a negro could be found who would he
seen in a copperhead procession, and
one Of the Democrats had to personate
q black man by the aid of burnt cork.
Year: 1866

Three days before the murder of Mr..
Lincoln he had made arrangements
for an afternoon ride with certain MEM
bers of his family, and the hour of two
O'Clock was fixed upon. At that time,
the President not appearing, word was
sent to him that the party was waiting
for him. He returned an answer that
the Vice President had called upon
him, and that he should not be able To
go. Mr.. Johnson remained about two
hours, when the President joined his
family, and in conversation regarding
the delayed ride, remarked, with much
apparent concern: .'That miserable
man! l cannot anticipate the troubles
he will cause me during my second
term Of Office"


Such were, with scarcely doubt, the
last words spoken by Mr.. Lincoln con-
cerning the present occupant of the
White House; and spoken as they were
i'm the privacy of his own family circle,
they were doubtless the full and free
expression Of his real belief.
Year: 1866

A GLOOMY HoNEyMooN.-Dr. La
Force, of Agency, married Miss Dud-
ley last Thursday and the happy couple
started on their bridal tour. They ar
rived at Burlington, and took dinner at
the hotel. The fair bride never looked
SO lovely; and the heart of the husband
was joyful. While they were seated at
the table, the face of the br de suddenly
underwent a change; the cheeks grew
pallid, and the eyes stared wildly
around. The doctor Immediately
noticed the transformation, and CAUGHT
her in his arms. But affection was
pOwerless to rescue. The poor man
soon discovered that he was holding in
his embrace a maniac wife. Without
a premonitory symptom sLe, had thus
suddenly become insane. The doctor
returned to Agency the next day, bear
ing with him the wreck Of his own
beautiful young wife. OttumWo loWot
Mercury.
Year: 1866

THE Postmaster General seems to
have forgotten that the last Congress
authorized a reduction of postage, by
change 70 the metric system in Post
Office weights, allowing the weight of
single letter to be increased from half
an ounce to fifteen grams, and so on,
the new system to go into effect at the
option of the Postmaster-G General. This
is a provision to increase tho weight of
each piece more than five and half
per cent. and would be of much value
to the public, while the change could
be easily made. TO adjust the scales
for grams, put in the pan eighteen of
the new five cent pieces, which weigh
five grains each, and set the poise at
three ounces then drop melted seal
ing wax on the poise till it lifts the
loaded pan. A rider of sheet zine could
be made so as to adjust all the balances
Of a particular kind, and might be dis
tributed by mail. No further outlay
would be needed.
Year: 1866

AN UNIQUE CARRIAGE-A colored
man drove through the streets of Rich.
mond last Saturday In an open one
horse carriage, made wholly Of broom
straw, with the exception of the wheels
and running gear, which attracted al
most as much attention as the arrival
Of circus or menagerie. The wheels
were sawed out Of solid timber, and
measured eighteen inches In diameter,
and revolved glibly on their well lubri-
Gated axles. The shafts and harness
consisted Of light material, tastefully
adjusted; the body being without top
or cover, three feet long, and perhaps
two in width, consisting entirely of
straw, interviewer with oziers In u very
compact and artistic manner, with a
seat of the same material In the hinder
part, and just large enough to admit a
man.
Year: 1866

A schoolmaster, after giving one Of
the scholars sound drubbing for speak
ing bad grammar, sent him to the other
end Of the room to inform another boy
that he wished to speak with him, and
at the same time promising to repeat
the dose If he spoke to him ungram-
matically. The youngster, quite salts
fled with what he had got determined
to be exact, and thus addressed his fcl-
low pupil; "'rhere is u common sub
stantive, of the masculine gender, ssin-
gular number, nominative case, and in
angry mood, sits perched upon the en-
inence at the other side of the room,
and wishes to articulate II few sentences
to you in the present tense"
Year: 1866

The following from the Richmond Examiner, may
,ossilly have some application in this latitude:


There is class of men Of peculiar habits in every
community not only in the pupuous cry but in the
peaceful and quiet country village whose hearts are
open to generous impulses and whose minds are not
unlreuueutly endowed with genius at whom the Phar-
see points the finger Of scoru and for whose short
coming and laiugs society in general has buttte sym


palhv We allude to the habiJna spreer-the man
who aetteh up batiucs in the morning and cocktail
eth. and repeate.h the dose an indefinite number OF
times until bis brain whrleh bis legs rcluseth their
Office and he sinketh down on the soft side OF the
pavement helpless victim to the wiles Of Bourbon or
necde-gun whskey as the case may be- Such men
often keep sober for many weeks and then, under the
influence Of the times, fancied misfortune, or well
filed purse think they may venture to take one drink.
Il will dispeI care raise the spirits and set them on
their feet again Tie drink is taken and this drink
begetteth an appetite for another. The spirits begin
to rise and happy feeling cf prosperity warns up tie
heart The devotee of John Barleycorn has com
mencad his practice the bar in earnest. party OF
ioy fellows come in and he treats and is treated IN
return His little pile of currency becomes small by
degrees ana beautifully less So long il lasts he is
generous and never lacks for "a friend" TO join him
in a drink. Finally bis legs begin to get drank but
his brain is clear lie knows what he is about, and
will stop when he has got enough. Another drink,
and another until search of the nnermost recesses
Of his pocket fails to bring to light another dime. lie
asks the barkeeper for credit. We don't do bust


ness in that way is the ready reply. by this time he
is pretty drunk all over sa39er5 OUT ana laih5 lIo
Year: 1866

NEWSPAPER CIRCULATION. Is q set of


political blowers who spend their time during


every exciting political canvass circulating


stories about the great increase Of the circula-
ton Of this paper and the decrease Of some
other on account OF It's course in regard to the
pending issues. They are just now exhibiting
more than their usual activity. The radicals


are making great noise about q pretended
rapid increase Of the circulation OF the Tribune.
all Of which Is pure fabrication for political
purposes. They also claim that the circulation
of the Tines Is decreasing with the same aston
isbing rapidity. This is also pure fabrication.
The World every now and then blows about lis
circulation. This Ia another fabrica.
ton. The idea that the circulation Of the lead
ing papers In this city is effected to any great
extent by the views that they may advance in
regard TO the questions at issue is all nonsense.
They stand on an altogether different basis
from that People take these papers for their
news, and as long as the managers furnish tboir
readers with that, those who withdraw their
support on account Of opinions expressed in
the editorials amount 10 a mere bagatelle.
Those who are trying 70 prove TO the contrary
have but little idea OF The position Of pews
papers In this metropolis
Year: 1866

restoration, as involved, for example, in this
constitutional amen dment. The President him.
self is committed to this judgment in the sub
mission OF this amendment to the several
States His official act overrides any legal
arguments be may now advance againstit. He
cannot 60 behind the contract to which be is a
party signed and sealed. He cannot now
plead the invalidity of this Congress, because
it is too late.


Another objection Of the President to this
amendment, as we are informed, Is this That IL
ratified, the amendment will carry with it,
anyhow, the enforcement Of universal negro
suffrage, under that clause Of the constitution
which DEGREES that "the citizens Of each State
shall be entitled to all the privileges and i'm
munities of citizens in the several States" If
there were any force in this objection 1t would
apply to the States at this time in regard to
suffrage, and might have been applied al any
time since the adoption of the federal consti-
tuition. But the power Of regulating the elec-
tive franchise was left to the States by the
constitution from the beginning, and 1t is still
left to them in this amendment. 1t only re-
quires that representation in Congress shall be
based upon suffrage, one Of the Presidents re-
concentrations, and propositi"'; so fair and
reasonable that it will unqucstionably be
ratified by all the Northern States that remain
10 ratify it.


Accepting, therefore, our information of the
Presidents objections as authentic, we would
respectfully advise him that they do not meet
the case, bat react against himself We would
further admonish him that if he can advance
no better arguments than these against the
constitutional amendment, silence on the SUBJ
ject will. for him, be the part of wisdom. The
plea Of the invalidity Of this Congress is a
dangerous fallacy. It has already startled the
North as if it were the echoes of Fort Sumter
and with the fear that it covers a revolutionary
danger. With every wish to see the admins
tration of President Johnson a glorious and
enduring success, and desirous to aid him
in the achievement OF decisive victory
over Northern and Southern radicals, we would
appeal to him, If he cannot conscientiously give
this restoration amendment of Congress his





We recommend this alternative because the
administration can do no good and may do
much mischief to itself in any further attempts
to stem the heavy current of Northern public
opinion. The amendment is before the States.
Let them act upon it, then, without further OBJ
structions from the Executive, since it is evil
dent that further resistance will avail him
nothing. He has still ample scope and verge
enough I" for brilliant administration in the
rcctifcation OF our unsettled foreign affairs and
financial system. Let him turn bis attention to
these great questions, and we doubt not that
while still actively engaged in their practical
solution, the results Of the Northern elections
soon to come off will convince him Of the wis.,
dom of a speedy ratification Of the aforesaid
constitutional amendment by all the excluded
Southern States.
Year: 1866

THE SoSs OF TEMPERANCE will hold tenn
perance mass meeting at the First Baptist
Church next Tuesday night, in honor of the
nineteenth anniversary Of Shockoe Hill Divi-
sion. The presence of the Grand Division Of
the State, which will be in session in this city
at the time, Will add to the interest Of the
Year: 1866

OUTRAGEOUS RoBBERY.-On Thursday even
ing last, lady, who lives in the northwestern
part of this city, missed her child, who Is
about five years old The motherwas greatly
alarmed, but no traces OF the child were found
until late in the evening, when II was dis.
covered in an old field, perfectly denuded OF
clothing. Some rascal had enticed the child
from home and stolen every vestige OF its
dress. Would not hanging be too good for the
thipf9
Year: 1866

THE LADIES FAIR.-We have honored our


selves of late with visit to the ladies at the


Fair for St. James Church, and, from our


experience, would advise those who would


spend an evening of pure enjoyment to give


them a call. Upon entering the door, our


eyes were dazZled with blaze of beauty, and


on all sides the ladies were busily engaged,


carrying on their business with an earnest


ness which most becomes woman when labor


ing for the sake of pety and love. Soon we


were taken in tow by q charming young lady,


and went the rounds of the Fair It's most
attractive feature-neXt to the ladies-is the


table of Mrs. Peterkin, which is laden with


everything that is good or refreshing. On


ei her side of her are the tables of Mrs. Nc


Indoe and Miss Greenhow, which are also
filled with edbles. If the visitor gets to
these tables without having been captured
(which we doubt of his being able to do), we
defy him to resist them. On the left, rs you
enter, is the table Of Mrs. Semmes, promi-
nent upon which is a beautiful gown, smok-
ing cap, and slippers, for President Davis. The
tear must come to the eye of the Southerner


as he thinks Of the solitary captive who un-


complainingly suffers within the silent walls
of Fortress Monroe for the South and the
| "lost cause " There are also on this table
many articles sent from the ladies Of the Bal


timore Fair. The phantom bouquet, composed
| of the fibres Of leaves and wild flowers, made
white by some acid, is beautiful ornament,
! looking as if it were lace worked in exquisite
imitation of leaves. Opposite to this table is
that of Miss Maria Allen, which is kept for
the benefit of the Sunday school. 1t is filled
with all sorts of toilet articles and toys. Mrs.


Pages table, which is one of the same kind, is
beautifully ornamented by tree filled with
golden toys and tricks. This table is arranged
very tastily, as in fact, are all the others. The
magic lantern, which is exhibited up stairs, is
/ very fine one; and General Lee and other


noble men are well represented in life size.


We had we'll nigh forgotten to mention that


the visitor, if he wishes, can "see the ele.


phant'' He is worth paying q visit to more
! so even than Dan Castillo with his big show.


The Fair is in full tide of success, and the


ladies have every reason to anticipate the full


filment of their greatest hopes in regard to It,
Year: 1866

CELESTIAL PHYsICs.-Astronomers have with
reason anticipated from spectroscopic research
es the solution of many problems of celestial
physics. Nebule, it has recently been known,
exhibit monochromatic light, and the unavoid-
able Inference is that they do not shine by So
lar light, which is chromatic, consisting of seven
colors. On examining Semple's comet by the
spectroscope, the spectrum of the nucleus was
found to be monochromatic, and to differ from
that of the coma itself. The nucleus is there
fore self.luminous, but the continuous spectrum
of the coma light indicates that it shines by re-
hected solar light from ours or some other sun.
Year: 1866

CONSERVATION oP FoRcE.-Physicians are al
most daily finding experimental proof of this the
noblest generalization of science, as for instance
the transformation of heat into motion. Mr..
Rennie recently transformed motion into heat
sufficient to boil an egg. He placed it in a yes
sci which contained ten pounds Of water and
which was forced to reVolye 232 times in q mint
ute. 1t is wholly undeniable that in this event
the motion was the only source Of the heat.
Year: 1866

A WITTY printer, who quit his business,
studied physic, and became a physician, gave
his reasons for so doing, that in printing all the
faults are exposed to the eye, but in pbysic they
are buried with the patient
Year: 1866

OUTRAGEOUS ExrRAvAGANcE.-Th Legisla.
ture has been guilty of objectionable extrava-
gance, in passing what is known as the Rail-
road subsidy measure. That passed for the
Central Pacific two years since, was quite suf
hcient burden for the people for such purposes,
for the Genrtal Government has already fur
nshed that road with bonds and lands to more
than pay for its construction. And it seems
that their lands may be located at once, while
the State cannot yet locate the lands granted
by the General government There was, also,
some excuse for the donation to the Central
Pacific Railroad, as the necessity of railroad
communication with the Atlantic States is &C
knowledged by all. But such is not the fact
with regard to the Western Pacific aad the
Placervle and Sacramento Valley railroads.
Neither OF them can ever expect or hope to
rise above the dignity OF local importance,
and State contributions may as we'll be given
to the California Central and Northern Rail-
roads as to others of local Importance only.
The Western Pacific Railroad extends through
section OF country as able to supply itself
with such advantages as Yuba or Butte, and
the Piocervlle road is nothing more than a
sky-scraping opposition to the Dutch Flat
route. While acknowledging the public pe-
cesslty OF one route, the Legislature should
not have allowed its sympathy to have been
excited in favor of rival routes of local impor.
tance only. Why should the people of Butte
who build their own railroads. be taxed to
build railroads for Ell Dorado and Santa Clara
counties ? This is just cause for war, and if
the Governor does not veto the contemplate
abominatioD, We hope the Supervisors of the
counties not locally interested will peremptorily
decline to include the tax for such purpose in
their levy. Bu, it is hoped the Governor will
veto the local abomination.


1t is reasonably feared. however, that this
is but portion of combination which is to
fasteu itself upon the people of the State until
every projected railroad has secured subsidy
That the San Diego railroad scheme, intro
duced on the 23d, was part Of the scheme,
aud increasing the fares on the San Francisco
railroads is another portion of the combna-
ton. If so, it is very powerful one, and
may be as successful in capturing the Governor
and the Supreme Court. as it has been in in-
tiueneing the Legislature We who have taxed
ourselves for the construction OF such i'm.
provenents, can now contemplate the proba
bility of being taxed to furnish residents of
other portions Of the State with advantages
similar 10 our Own.
Year: 1866

TIE Squatters in San Francisco on the 9th,
fenced of FIVE hundred acres of the Govern
ment reserve at the Preside and built a house
ing and ordered the troops TO clear everything
of and shoot down any man who attempted
Year: 1866

On THE FIGHr.-The Salt Lake Vedette
says that some of the outside Mormon settle.
ments are considerably exercised at the pro-
badly interference of the United States with


the institution of polygamy. One old Saint
become so much excited that be wanted to
trade horse for an old gun and prepare for
Year: 1866

The EXPERIMENT of a Democratic paper is
to be tried again in Sacramento That city
has been the grave Of such publications ever
since the State organization. Even 10 the
days of Democratic ascendancy their capitol
organ failed to be remunerative. and il NAV
well be doubted whether it will be more sue.
cessful now. A joint stock company has been
incorporated however, to try the experiment.
Their capital stock is $4,000. 1t is said
that Ex-Governor Bigler is to be the Editor.
1t will require untiring enterprise to success
fully compete with papers already there
Year: 1866




On the whole when | remember what the
people of the South have suffered. what they
started for and with what they have brought
up, consider the state of public feeling there
much more hopeful than We could have ex-
pected. 1t is bad enough, but still it is far
better than We could have expected. A great
many Northern men go down there and fbd
that the people still remember their sutferiugs
and their dislike of the Yankee. and at once
they sit down and write home "Oh. you can't
reconstruct the.- South they hate Us just as
much as ever" Now what do these gentlemen
expect? Do they expect that man who has
been very thoroughly whipped in contest
where bis whole nature was aroused to the
highest pitch of zeal and excitement, viii turn
round and thank his conqueror? Do they
think that Gen. Lee on surrendering should
have embraced Gen. Grant, or that johnson
should have regarded Sherman as his beDefac-
tor? Do they expect the Southern people to get
down on their knees whenever Yankee comes
in sight. aud say, "God bless the Yankees. ?"
Year: 1866

PUBLIC TEMPERANCE MEErISGs.-Hntchison
Division Sons of Temperance appointed a
meeting for Tuesday night, at the lecture
room Of the Third Presbyterian church,
Church Hill 1t was we'll attended, and the
spirit of the meeting was excellent; INC
cause was an agreeable feature OF the occa.
sion. Four addresses were delivered, all OF
which had the merit of brevity; and under
their influence there was evidently very de,
cided increase of interest in the cause anu
the meeting closed very pleasantly. Strong
anpeals were made and there were earnest
calls for effort and influence to counteract the
Immense energy now put forth in the manu-
facture and commerce of intoxicating DRINKS,
shown by the extraordinary increase OF ais,
tilIeries and the employment Of so mucn
% nital and character in their maintenance.
Year: 1866

miss RIcHrSGs's BRSEFIT.-Our theatre pre-
sented n scene last evening that Will not soon
be forgotten by those who We're there. dns Ius
house was crowded from pit to dome, and In
the dress circle and parquette the signt was
perfectly dazzling. Never before, perhaps,
was there such demonstration OF favor OF an
artist made in this city. The opera OF Martna
was given for the first time by this company,
and throughout the applause OF the audience
attested the popularity of its different mem
bers and the high merit OF the performances.
The finale" The Last Rose OF Summer =
was enthusiastically received, and had TO be
repeated We regret that the late hour pre-
vents our making mention of many other por-
tions of the opera rendered In manner
worthy of especial mention. At the close OF
the performance loud nSo and Conlande and "a per.
sistent were those present In their calls, tnat
she at last gracefully and modestly ap-
preached the foot-lights and made neat ut
tie address, pretty much as follows, as wen as
We i Ladies @ and Gentlemen, II believe 1T is Gus
tomary on such occasions rs this lot the Dener
ficiary to express thanks In person, ana
assure You that until this moment nave
never ATTEMPTED such thing. Unused, then,
as I am to addressing the public, can only
ask Of you to take my most heartfeit tnanks
for your goodness to me. To the members OF
the press, the management, and the puolic,
return thanks for their consideration lot me,
and their kind expressions in my favor during
the entire season and 10 the members OF the
orchestra, and those Of our own company, 1
return my thanks for their uniform politeness
and forbearance during our rehearsals. we
have given tonight the opera of Martha for
the first time We therefore hope that many
little irnperfec tions which have occurred IN us
performance will be overlooked by the good
people of Richmond"


Castle and Campbell were vociferously called
for but their modesty prevailed, and the au-
dience could get nothing more from them than
a bow, in the shape of acknowledgment.
Year: 1866

WORTHY EyrsRPRIsg.-We understand that
the Philologian Society of Manchester pro-
poses to open free nfga school tor the oenehs Th
instruction is to be given by members OF the
society, a number Of whom have generously
volunteered for that purpose: The plan is an
admirable one, and will doubtless result IN ha Sass
Youths and Young men who except for this
would be cut off from all educational facilities:
We are sure that 1t will require no word OF
encouragement from US to induce the young
men whose education was interrupted during
the war To avail themselves Of the advantages
of this school. The advertisement Of the
school appears in another column.