smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1874

Ihad an aunt coming to see me for the
first time since my marriage, and don
know what evil genius prompted the
wickedness which l perpetrated toward
my ancient relative


my dear" said | to my wife on the
day before my aunts arrival, You know
Aunt Mary is coming tomorrow; well
forgot to mention rather annoying
circumstance with regard to her. She
is very deaf, although she can hear my
voice, to which she is accustomed, in its
ordinary tones, yet you will be obliged
to speak extremely loud in order to be
heard. 1t will be rather inconvenient
but know you will do anything in your
power to make her stay agreeable"


Mrs. - announced her determine
ton to make herself heard if in heI
power. | then went to John N, who
loves a joke about as well as any per
son | know of, and told him to be at the
house at six pm. the following day, and
| felt comparatively happy.


went to the railroad depot with car
riage the next night, and when | was on
my way home with my aunt ! said.


my dear aunt, there is one rather
enjoying in6rmity that Annie (my
wife) has, which | forgot to mention be-
fore. She is very deaf, and although she
can hear my voice, to which she is ac'
customed, in its ordinary tones, yet you
will be obliged to speak very loud in
order to be heard. am very sorry fol-
it."


Aunt Mary, in the goodness of heI
heart, protested that she rather liked
speaking loud, and to do so would afford
her great pleasure.


The carriage drove up; on the steps
was my wife; in the window was John n.
with a face as utterly solemn as if be
had buried his relative that AFTERNOON.


II am delighted to see you, shrieked
my wife, and the policeman on the op-
posite sidewalk started, and my wife
nearly fell down the steps.


Kiss me, my dear bawled my aunt
and the windows shook as with the fever
and ague. looked at the window
John had disappeared. Human nature
could endure it no longer | poked
my head into the carriage, and wen
into strong convulsion.


When / entered the parlor my wife wa;
helping aunt Mary to take off her ha
and cape; and there sat John with hI'
face buried in his handkerchief.


Suddenly" Did you have a pleasant
iournev?" went off my wife like pistol
and John nearly jumped to his feet,


Rather dusty" was the response in q
war.whoop, aud the conversation con
tinued.


The neighbors for blocks around mus
have heard it. When ! was in the thlrc
story of the building heard every word


In the course of the evening my aun'
took occasion to say TO me:


"How loud your wife talksl


| told her deaf persons talked loudly
and that my wife being used to It, wal
not affected by the exertion, and tha
she was getting on very nicely with her


Presently my wife said softly;


"Alf. how very loud your aunt talks.


"Yes," said 1, All deaf persons do
You are getting along With her hnely
she hears every word you say. And
rather think she did.


Elated at their success at being under
stood, they went hammer and tOngs, ul
everything upon the mantel piece elai
tered again, and was seriously atrai
of a crowd collecting in front OF tn
house


But the eHd was near. Ny aunt bein
] Of an investigative turn Of mind, wa
Year: 1874

Now that the stage drivers have struck in
New York. the advocates of muscle are busy
With descriptions Of the delights Of walk down
the shady side of Broadway When the epzootic
came, the same consolatory course was pursued,
and when the epizootic went, the street cars
. ere ssain crowded to she edge Of the platform
Year: 1874

ton of the court, and shall pay the costs
! of prosecution


SEC. s. 1t shall be unlawful for any
person to purchase or offer for sale any
of the birds or game mentioned in this
act caught or killed during the time
when such catching killing, or destroy
ing is make unlawful hereby Any per-
son offending against the provision of
this section shall be liable to the same
penalty as is provided in this act for
catching, killing, or destroying such
birds or game.


SEC g. That the exposure for sale of
any of the birds or game mentioned in
this act during the time when the killing
thereof is made unlayful, shall be prinaa
facia evidence that the same was killed
or caught unlawfully within the State Of
Ohio


Sec 10. All prosecutions under this
act shall be in the name of the State of
Ohio, before any justice of the peace,
mayor, or other proper officer having ,iu-
risdiction; and all fines imposed or col
lected under this act shall be paid into
the county treasury for the use of com
mon schools.
Year: 1874

The laws passed by the Democratic
Legislature are now being printed, and
sent out in installments as they are
printed. Some good acts were passed,
but the session, as a whole, was failure.
The Cincinnati Enquirer, the leading
Democratic paper of the State, has this
to say about it:


In bidding adieu to the Ohio Legisla-
ture in regular session assembled our
grief does not refuse to be consoled. 1t
has been deliberative body without a
leader, without following for the ap-
proaches toward leaders it has developed,
without consistency, and its session has
been barren of benefcent results. 1t
has passed very few wholesome laws
They might have been enacted in thirty
days. The most important measure be-
fore the General Assembly, perhaps was
the Redistricting Bill We originally
advised against the injection OF this
question into the politics of the State,
urging that it would defeat ends more
important for the sake of securing those
less so. The caucus thought differently,
and after the hands were put to the pillow
we did not advise looking back We
would have averted the wrangling which





of the measure. The action of the Leg
islature, more particularly of the Demo
cratic party upon this proposition has
been a miserable faScO. The attempt to
redistrict was made when it should not
have been made, and dropped into
wrangling when it should have been con-
sistently pursued. The Democrats were
in majority in the Legislature, but
their majority was dissonant flock of
boys that could never be made to cohere
upon any question. Had the Legisla-
ture, or Assembly passed the necessary
appropriation bill and spent the re-
mainder of the thirty or sixty days, be-
yond which limit its session should not
have been prolonged, in unmaking
rather than in making laws, it might
have earned the respect of the Demo
cratic party and of the people of Ohio
But it has rendered little valuable SER
vice to either the party responsible for
its actions or to the people of Ohio, on
whose behalf it has been acting 1t has
frittered away the money of the people
in abortive attempts to make a pretense
of doing something. 1t has worked about
two or three days a week. 1t has added
scarcely anything of value to the statutes
of the State. 1t certainly has done no
thing which could not have been done in
thirty days as well as in one hundred
We may be doing the Legislature injus-
tice, for, on reflection, we believe that a
law was passed to prevent the use of
ferrets in catching rabbits, and that must
have occupied the attention of the Gen
eral Assembly of the State of Ohio for
nearly thirty days. But forty days still
have been wasted. Even some of the
best members from Hamilton county
failed to represent their constituents on
one of the leading questions before the
Assembly. The session of the Legisla-
ture, which closed Monday. neither rep
resenting the party supposed to control
it, nor working harmoniously in the in
terest of all the people, for whom the
laws are supposed to be made, must be
pronounced failure.
Year: 1874

The vexed question of the right of a
Legislature to fix railway tolls either by
direct enactment or by commissioners,
is likely to reach through the Wisconsin
controversy an authoritative and final
decision. The Wisconsin railroad law,
which the companies have resolved to
resist, was passed in obedience to the
demands of the agricultural class, and
embodies almost all that the Grangers'
party has ever asked of the State in the
way of Legislative restriction. The three
commissioners appointed under it are,
one an eX-agent of the State Grange an
other Secretary of the State Agricultur-
al Society, and the third, editor of a
newspaper These Commissioners have
prepared inflexible schedules of maxi
mum tolls for freight, making great re-
duotion from the present charges, and
apportioning rates in all cases strictly
according to distance, The new tariff
was to go into operation the lst of May,
bat the railroad companies refuse to
abide by it, and propose testing the con-
Year: 1874

A writer in the Galaxy says: "Ev-
cry art has limits, In endeavoTing to
pass which it becomes not only power
less but ridiculous; but within those
limits it admits no rival, no co-wOrker.
Hence it is that great music is not writ
ten to great poetry, that music IS not
married to immortal verse. a beauti
fuI song, like one of those which
Shakespeare has scattered through his
pIavs. needs no music. By it's inherent
quality it attains its end. In itself it is
a song. It sings itself, and is both
words and music. What wOuld Take,
o take those lips away gain by being
sung to any music ? If the music were
great the poetic value of the thoughts
would be lost, or sink out of sight for
the time If the music were inferior to
the words it could only provoke the re-
sentiment of impertinence. Hence It is
that lyric writing not OF the highest
Order-that which embodies the pleas
ant suggestion of emotion in flowing
rhythm, without much strength OF
beauty of expression--is most frequent
ly made the vehicle of fine musical
thought. The composer expresses
that which the song has suggested to
him. His is the passion, bis perfect
utterance. Lyric expression may come
from one soul, not from two. Words
written for music should merely minis
ter to occasion, and be the humble, un-
seen nucleus of beauty, like a blade oi
grass made splendid by the jewels Of
the morning s"
Year: 1874

The Southern Methodists, in confer
ence assembled at Louisville, have
taken a very bold position on the tenn
perance question, and one which is
much more radical than any northern
church has assumed. By a very large
vote-325 to 50, being more than the
necessary two-thirds-a minority report
that any person making, buying, sell
ing, or using as a beverage intoxicating
liquors, shall be, upon conviction, de-
barred from membership in the church,
was adopted. This action will be sent
round to the local conferences, and if
the majority of three-fourths concur it
will become law. The vote was pre-
ceded by long and excited discussion,
in which all the points which have so
bewildered our local clergy were can
vassed. As there was no apparent pos
sibDity that scriptural texts could be
recOnciled, or that the views of dele
gates would admit of any compromise,
they decided TO take the bull by the
horns, and throw the animal out alto
gether. The Whisky-manufactur the
whisky-seller, the whisky-buyer, and
the whisky-drin were all classed
under the same head, and the ban was
pronounced. As a test of the feeling





prominent members declared himself
in favor of this special legislation,
even if it struck 90, 900 members from
the roll. This action does not admit
of equivocation, and the Methodist
church south has done itself credit in
taking an attitude which cannot be
misunderstood. If the church is to
take any position at all, it should take
a radical one. IF all drinking is an
evil, it is folly for the church to com
promise with it. The teachers of vir-
ture have no right to meet vice half
way. BY this bold action the church
south will no longer have to squabble
over fermented and unfermented wine
It will no longer have to apologize for
the condnct of Noah, Joseph, David,
Solomon, and the rest of the drinking
patriarchs. It will have to adopt tTitu-
rated currant jelly as a substitute for
grape juice and the extracts of rye and
corn. 1t will not have to explain that
miracle at Cana, of Galilee. It sets
the seal of it's disapproval upon all
such practices. It pronOunces these
old and erratic patriarchs as unworthy
of membership in the Methodist church
south. Nevertheless, the conference
is to be credited with courage in throw
ing out alcohol altogether. Now, will
the Methodist church north have the
courage to follow in the steps of their
southern brethren, aud leave the pro-
ducts of the vine and the distil llations
of cereals to the sinners, and forever
clear their skirts of responsibility, end
set an example to the children of dGrkS
ness ?-ChicdgO Tribune.
Year: 1874

Absurd as the alligator may seem for
pet, it so happens that we once had
some of them, and very pleasant little
pets they proved to be. 1t was during
a residence, not far from the bayous,
where alligators, great and small, are
to be had by the hundred thousand.
Instead of going in person to catch the
little fellows, We secured the services of
an aged American citizen of African de-
scent, who knew more than we did about
keeping out of the way of the parent
alIigatOrs. He seooped up a dozen or
two of baby gators, and brought them
in, his face Ornamented with a broad
grin of delight, in anticipation of the
dollar ha had been promised for catch
ing them.


For several months a number Of these
lively little fellows occupied a neat
aquarium tank in the library window,
where the sun shone on them. They
were as lively as little cats, and quite
as playful. Equally happy in the water
and out of it, they would frisk about
like so many monkeys when they felt so
disposed, and when they felt lazy (for
alligators, like other folks, are subject
to attacks of laziness) they would stretch
themselves ont, or lie in a heap, one on
the other, and bask In the sunshine.
They had habit of eating almost any
eatable thing that was given to them,
their principal luxury being live flies.
In catching these insects they exhibited
great dexterity. Large beetle cock
reaches also afforded them much pleas
me. There was an abundance of these
in the house, and the alligatOrs consid-
erabIy reduced the stock. These aili-
gators were in their first summer, and
wereo only a few inches long. They would
run over peoples hands and clothes, and
climb upon shoulders with great liveli-
ness. We gave some of them away, and
the rest, probably pampered by petting
and overlooking, died.


We once owned an alligator which
was SIX feet long. But he frightened an
old lady out of her wits, and so we gave
him away. He was too large for pet.
But, in their first or second year, gators
are pleasant pets, and no more danger
GUS than kittens.
Year: 1874

No branch of science has been more
thoroughly mastered than optics. The
principle of vision must be essentially
the same in all eyes, but they differ re-
markably according to the habits of the
animal Birds of lofty flight, as the
condors, eagles, vJ,ltures and carbon
seeking providers of the feathered race,
have telescope visions, and thus they
are enabled TO look down and discover
their unsuspecting victims. As they
approach nOiselessly from above, the
axis of vision changes so
that they can see as distinctly within
one foot of the ground as when at an
elevation of one mile in the air.


This fact explains the balancing of
the fsh-hawk on its pinions, half a mile
above a still pond watching for fish.
When one is selected down the savage
hunter pluDges, the focal axis varying
always to the square view of his intend
ed prey. AS they ascend, the axis is
elongated by a curious muscular ar
rangement, so as to see far off again.
Snails have their keen eyes at the ex-
tremity of flexible horns, which they
can protrude or draw in at pleasure. By
winding the instrument around the edge
of leaf or stalk, they can see how mat
ters stand on the opposite side.


The hammer-headed shark has its
wicked-loeking eyes nearly two feet
apart. By will or effort they can bend
the thin edges of the head, on which the
organs are located, so as to examine the
sides of an object the size of full
sized Goldfish.


Flies have immovabIe eyes. They
stand out from the head like half an
apple, exceedingly prominent. Instead
of smooth hemispheres, they have an
immense number of facets, resembling
old-iashioned glass watch seals, each
one directing the light directly to the
optic retina That explains why they
cannot be approached in any direction
Mithnnt saeinc what is cnnino
Year: 1874

The following graphic description of
the real jewels of the fair south IS given
by paper printed In the state of Geor-
gia Among the many visitors who
clme to our city on Saturday last to sell
their country produce, was young
lady from an adjoining county who had
chickens, eggs and butter for sale.
Her beauty was of transcendent excel
lence. Bright, flashing, intellectual
ewes, and face round and rosy, while
her calico dress was plain and neatly
made. and fitted beautifully. Her rich
black hair flowed in luXuriant richness.
HIGHLY educated, she cOnVersed flu
enfiv. and deported herself with be-
coming rnodesty. She wore no false
bnstIe or purchased complexion ; had
no top-knot on her head, or false fix
ings to present, but stood IN the majes-
tic beauty of a created intelligence that
would not yield to the despOtic dictates
of frivolous fashion. It has been a
long time since we gazed upon such a
sight. The young men crowded around
her wagon with curiosity IN their eyes
and admiration IN their hearts. The
old men wept for Joy that there w2s one
who had not bowed to Baal. She sold
her country produce, went home,
MIXED the cows, cooked supper for ten
farm laborers, and went TO church that
night with her sweetheart.
Year: 1874

The following curious incident con-
nected with the funeral at Westminster,
of DR.. Livingstone, is related by Lon
don correspondent


One man was making money in ST..
Margaret's church-yard in a more ex-
ceptiOnable way. He was selling green
pamphlet, which bore on it in large let
ters, Wonderful Adventures. Living
stone. His pretty black wives most
wonderful traveller There was also
on the pamphlet a coarse woodcut, re-
presenting q man with his hair standing
straight up on his head, as might well
be the case, since a lion looks at him
with grateful complacency, a snake seeks
his intimacy by t lining about his knees,
and monkey pulling off his hat, or
hair, it is difficult to say which. Aston
ished that any one should have the au-
dacity to sell at the door of the abbey
on such an occasion a pamphlet with
such an inscription-the same being also
paraded on a placard-I bought a copy
(price one penny to find what this hard-
pressed caterer for the million could
have to say about Livingstone. It turn
ed out to be a humbug. Between the
Wonderful Adventures and Living
stone,' in large capitals, were painted
in a microscopic script the words 'of
celebrated African traveller like DIR.
Inside there are ten pages of rubbish
about some man (name not giyen) who
resolved to go on foot and by land, tax
ing near cut, to rescue Sir John Frank
lin IN the Arctic seas, this adventurer
took Africa in his course thither. By
that route he reached the mountains
of floating ice, where he found dog
who conducted him to place where
lay a skeleton, which he supposed to
be that of Franklin. It certainly was
a brave trick to sell this stuff with it's
enticing cover, but this is a land of
free trade
Year: 1874

More than one hundred millions Of
people are habitual coffee drinkers, and
amorg them not q few of our readers.
The new way of preparing the berry
for market by which it passes through
a pulping, steaming and washing ma
chine, yields a clearer and brighter
bean, popular with dealers, but in a
considerable degree damaged as to the
strength Of the coffee. While the ave
rage price of the article has advanced
from 80 to 100 per cent. its value as a
beverage has been reduced about one
half. Tea and common sirup are quite
as much injured by art and chemical
manipuIations,
Year: 1874

A writer says "The mountain re-
giOn OF east and particularly the south
eastern part of Tennessee, one of the
most charming places that can be found
for grand and beautiful scenery, has re-
ceived the title of the Switzerland of
America, to which it is fairly entitled.
The sportsman never fails here in meet
ing abundance Of game, aud both land
and water TEEN with the spOils that made
East Tennessee the faYOrite hunting
ground of the Indians. But it is the
almost fabulous mineral wealth of this
region that is drawing so much atten-
ton TO it. Here tilted up on edge
are the different strata of minerals of
various kinds and astonishing richness,
only waiting for the hand of man to put
them to their proper uses. Both
coal and iron were known to exist
in large quantities in this section, but
they were not developed, simply because
the habits of the old slavery days led
the owners to have no relish for the
busy conflict and strife by which the
wealth and power of the northern states
had been so rapidly acquired. Since
the war, however, a change has come
over the spirit of their dreams, and
Chattanooga, thanks to the energetic
northern men, drawn hither by her
great natural advantages, has become a
thriving manufacturing center, and
promises to become one of the most i'm
portant points IN the south.
Year: 1874

How much the heart may bear, and yet not break
How much the flesh may suffer, yet not die
question much if any pain or ache
Of soul and body brings our end more nigh;
Death chooses his own end till that is sworn,


All evils may be borne.
We shrink and shudder at the surgeons knife,
Each nerve recOiliDg from the cruel steel
Whose edge seems searching for the quivering life
Yet to our sense the bitter pang reveal
That still, although the trembling flesh be torn,


This also can be borne.
We see a sorrow rising in way,
And try too flee from the approaching i'll:
We seek some small escape, we weep and pray;
But when the blow falls, then hearts are still
NOs that the pain is of its sharpness shorn


But that it can be borne.
We wind our life about another life,
We hold it closer, dearer than our own;
Anon it faiRts and falls in deadly strife,
L sving US stunned, and strickened, and alone;
But ah we do not die with those we mourn,


This can also be borne.
Behold! we live through all things-fsmine, thirst
Bereavement, pain all grief and misery,
All woe and sorrow; life inficts its worst
On soul and body, but cannot die;
Though we be sick, and tired, and faint, and worn


LO all things can be borne.
Year: 1874

The pencil marks You see around tsss
paragraph (thus) mean that your sub
scription Is out or unpaid, and thss
you are requested to pay up ct once.
We would take great pleasure IN extend
ing credit to our friends and patrons,
but cash alone Will pay expenses, and
we are forced to adhere to strict cash
rule. We hope you viii comprehend
and appreciate the necessity OF 61eh
course, and renew your subscription
without delay. We solicit your favor.


q We enter no new names on our
books without the money IN advance,
Year: 1874

"I WOULDN'T be a cook for the whole
world" exclaimed fashionable young
lady to her betrothed lover. "Of
course not, :" he replied: q" if you were
cook for the whole world you would
never get through your work bat yonIl
be able to manage it nicely for our
little family"