smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1874

FLINGING SHADOwS.-We have no
more right to fling an unnecessary shad-
ow over the spirit of those with whom we
have to do. than we have to fling stone
and iniure them. Yet this f1inging shad-
ows Is IL very common sin, and one to
which women are particularly addicted.
o, what a blessing is merry, cheerful
woman in household. One whose spir-
its are not affected by wet days, or little
disappOintments, or whose milk of human
kindness does not sour in the sunshine of
prosperity. Such woman in the darkest
hours brightens the house like little piece
of sunshiny weather, The magnetism of
her smile, the electrical brightness of her
looks and movements, infect every one
The children 90 to school with sense of
something great to be achieved; her hus-
band goes into the world in conqueror's
spirit No matter how people worry and
annoy him all day, far off her presence
shines, and he whispers to himself AT
home shall find rest So day by day
she literally renews his strength and ener-
CIV, and if You know a beaming face, a
kind heart and prosperous business. in
nine cases out of ten you will find he has
a wife of this kind. For nothing is more
certain than that the man who is married
must ask his wife for permission to be
happy and wealthy. Blessed is he who
hath a cheer full W .fe. the world may be '' a
valley of strife" to him, but this home is
a land of Beulah, heaven of rest and
quiet; and his life is made up of cheerful
yesterdays, and confident to-morrows.-


Golden Age.
Year: 1874

A CAT WHIPPED BY ROBINS.-An eX-
citing contest was witnessed in the Court
House yard recently, between a cat and
some robins, that is worth chronicling. A
robin had a nest under the north stoop of
the Court House, and her brood of young
robins made their first attempt to fly. As
one poor, half-fiedged bird was laborious-
ly flying near the ground, a tigeri>h-look-
ing eat spied and gave it chase. The bird
flew us best it could. but the eats swift,
stealthy steps gained upon it, and the fate
of the bird seemed sealed. But its terrified
cries brought relief, and just as the cat
pounced upon and seized it in her mouth,
half dozen old robins lit on her hack
with fury that was perfectly astonishing
to her catship, and dropping her prey she
incontinently turned tail and flew across
the ward, the relentless robins pursuing
her with their vengeful cries. Not until
the cat took refuge in an adjoining build
ing did the birds give up the chase, and
return to the young bird. The latter was
unhurt. and the noise of the contest hav-
ing drawn to the spot twenty-five or thirty
other robins, it completed its days prac-
tice under ample protection, and amid :,
gathering of birds tongues seldom heard
in northern elimes.-Geneseo Republican.
Year: 1874

A writer in John O'GrOdt'S Journal,
describing the exploits of il gigantic High
lander noted for his agility and streng h.
winds up his account with the following
adventure in which he (the writer) TOOK
part when boy.


The most astounding feat, however, re-
mains to be told; but it is no easy matter
to tell it so as to give any idea of the real
ity. At the lower end of the valley of
Braemore the river struggles for some
hundred yards through Il rocky gorge of
Alpine sublimity. Here the whole stream
is confined between two rugged rocks in
a channel some eight or nine feet wide,
Just at the point where it falls some forty
feet in one whole sheet into a deep, dark
and hideous gulf below the rugged and
awful precipice.


At this place. one cold winter evening
Neil and | found ourselves on the wrong
side of the river. 1t was deep, roaring
flood that no man or horse could swim or
wade. We had gone far. and my strength
was exhausted, so that Neil had to bundle
me on his back. How we should cross
now was the question. My Scotch giant
proposed a way. 1t makes my flesh creep
as l remember it.


III leap the gorge 0tsr the falls, if
You won't be afraid"


I'm not be afraid if you'll keep hold of
me-" l said


Neil scrambled down the rocks till he
came directly over the cascade, which
roared beneath us with the multiplying
echoes of the precipces around, like the
believing of thousand lions let loose.
Little did | know the nature of the spot,
or else l would not have been carried
there by saint or sinner.


At last Neil is standing on the very
verge of that laundering cascade, and
meditates leap to the other side. But
first he made sure of his hold of me, and
then, selecting the most likely spot to
alight on the opposite rock, which was
rather lower, he took a step or two back,
and then, with all the spring power of a
Bengal tiger, shoots across, and we both
alight on the opposite side, and begin our
scrambling exit from this never-to-be-for-
UOtten scene
Year: 1874

THE BIRDs.-We are told there is a
movement among the boys for gathering
birds eggs to make a display of what they
get at the expense of those diligent ami
beautiful creatures who live only to make
melody in their season and rear their
young. In spite of the April snow which
caught them early, the birds are more nu-
merous this year th;ln usual, of nearly
every kind that visit us, and, with the
opening of the season, they. like ourselves
are full of work, and, as their nature is
and this is a delight to us, as full as ever
of their music. That they are useful too,
to men, in respect to the crops, every
school boy knows, from the slugs and in
sects they consume, so injurious to trees
and vegetables.


The law takes notice of this so that it is
made Il criminal offence to destroy any of
our flmelar birds, and the sportsman is
compelled to spare them. But if youth Is
their enemy, what chance have we that
the useful birds. which the law protects.
will be multiplied to be more useful. that
the musical and beautiful ones shall in
crease to please us with their forms and
movements, and charm US with their
songs? Their work is to rear their nests
and care for their eggs and young, that
give promise of another year of birds like
these we see, and so from year to year; and
if they are spared of boys, too, who Car
enjoy and appreciate the priceless company
of birds.--Niddlebury Register.
Year: 1874

HANGING LAMPS" Somebody keeps
getting in my light" Take care! you'll
have that lamp tipped over"' Such ex-
pressions are very common where the
:. evening lamp" stands upon table
around which the family gather for read
ing and amusement.


/ have lately been visiting in family
where no such expressions are heard,
where all, sitting in any part of the room.
enjoy a full flood of light This family
could not be induced to part with their
hanging lamp. 1t gives them a feeling of
safety in the midst of fun and frolic, and
it is always An ornament to the ROOM
Some rooms are too low for hanging lamps,
but wall lamps might often be used to ad-
vantage in such rooms. The room of
which I write is twelve feet higk, but the
same lamp could be used in lower room
without inconvenience by using a shorter
chain for its suspension 1t has three
lamps, but seldom are they all lighted at
once The framework is of bronze, and
the glass oil fountains are taken down on
the table for trimming and filing. This
lamp cost ten dollars, but cheaper ones
can be obtained-those with two burners
or with only one, of various patterns.
Year: 1874

While in Hudson, Mass, this spring, |
made the acquaintance of Dr. H. Wheeler,
who has the finest setter dog ever saw, /
Don is sixteen months old, and is pure
blooded Gordon, his color is a glossy black,
(his grandparents on both sides were i'm
raised and trained Don, and should say
educated him. He obeys his master
voice instantly, and even the motion of his
hand will send him in any direction indi-
come to splendid point on bird, and
he looked truly majestic. Every muscle
was firmly set, perfectly motionless, with
one fore foot raised from the ground, his
nose in a direct line of the bird, and such
an intent and intelligent look from his al
most human looking eyes, it was truly
splendid sight, worthy of the artists pen
ell, at the word go on he will carefully
walk up and fiurt the bird at the report of
the gun he will charge, (Which means to
lie DOWN and when ordered to find dead
birds he searches until he finds it and care
fully brings it to his master. Any one
wanting a dog of this breed had better cor
respond with the doctor.


also had the pleasure ofseeing the doc
tors new breech loading gun, worth 5000
it is perfect beauty, and of most exqui-
site workmanship and its shooting qualities
are perfect and uninvalued. 1t was made
expressly for the doctor by William r.
Schaefer, 81 Elm St, Boston, Mass, one
of the best gun makers in this country or


any other The doctor is perfectly at
home with his dog and gun, and enjoys
days shooting with his friends very much.


He has been in the practice of dentistry


twenty-four years, and is u skilful work


man. native of Vermont and a good
specimen of her lands sons, weighing 2l0


pounds. and he will certainly receive Il


hearty welcome from his friend the writer


of this should he ever come to


TRAVELLER.
Year: 1874

A WAY TO CATCH FIsH.-The New
York Times gives description of a sin
gular method employed in New York
harbor for trapping the tom-cod." A
sufficient quantity of good rie or wheat
straw is gathered into a shelf and firmly
tied in the middle. After being weighted
with bricks or iron the ends of the sheaf
are loosely tied, rope is attached. and
the bundle lowered 10 the bottom of the
water, where it is allowed to remain for a
few days until the fish become accustomed
to its pr, sence, after which it may be ex-
amined once or twice daily. In good To-
calities the straw in the interstices will be
literally crammed with fish. Whether
they enter the straw for its warmth or for
the friction received in their efforts, it is
impossible to say. These trap. are among
the most successful methods of capturing
certain fish. aud are generally set near
wharves or RATS of timber.
Year: 1874

Ashantee women are much handsomer
and more coquettish than in other parts of
Africa, some of them being really beauti-
ful. In many instances they have regular
Grecian features and figures of the great
est symmetry, and their movements are
even more graceful than those of their civ
ilized sisters, as is but natural, considering
the difference of training. Their eyes are
soft and tender, and the expression of their
countenance is usually pleasant and cheer
full Some of them darken the edges of
their eyelids with lead reduced to fine
powder in their way the artistic
appliances by which so many European
beauties preserve the gloss of their charms.
They dance, Of course, and do so with
much more elegance than might be sup
posed There is one evolution in particu-
lar which closely resembles our own waltz
the man encircling the woman with a
piece of silk which he flirts about with his
right hand, supporting her the while round
her waist, and receiving her elbows in his
palms.
Year: 1874

A DESIRABLE GARMENT.-Among the
most convenient and attractive single gar :
ments of ladies wardrobe are sleeveless
Jackets, covering all sorts of defects, and
freshening an old dress wonderfully.
When fashion and economy join hands for
an instant, let not the opportunity slip
The jackets are of velvet, silk, crepe de
chine, foulard for evening wear, and of
cashmere or flannel for morning. They
are made with perfectly plain square pos
tillion backs and tab fronts; with plated
fanciful backs and pointed fronts; or with
simple round basques, minus all trimming
save single cord. A very dainty jacket
of lavender silk is trimmed with fine clu-
nv lace following the edge of the plated
basque behind. in a double row up the
back. round the heart-shaped neck and
the edge of the front corners. so rounded
as to admit of but a single silver button in
front,
Year: 1874

EXCITEMENT ON THE CARs.-An amusing
incident occurred the other day on one of
the trains from Boston to this city, An
elegantly dressed woman occupied an en-
tire seat. Her bundles, handbook and bag
were piled artistically. She was oblivious
to the fact that passengers were rushing
hack and forth to obtain sittings. More
than one gentleman drew himself up In
front of the imperous dame, and silently
plead for the vacant spot. She flnned
herself leisurely. lolled in the seat. and
evidently thought that things were very
occupied, MADAME" said a well dressed
gentleman, very politely. Yes, it is"
was the swapping reply. The man walk
ed on. In half an hour the door opened.
and in walked tall, rough fellow, coarse
as polar bear. His huge beard was un-
combed and stained with tobacco juice.
His clothes were lily put on. and smelt of
the stable. He was ungloved. and brawny,
and weighed full 200 He ran his eye
along the car, and caught the seat on
which our lady was sitting. He made
for it. With great deliberation he seized
bundle, bandbox, and bag, put them
plump into the lap of the lady. and sat
down in the vacant spot like one who in
tended to stay. if looks could have anni
hilated man there would have been 4
corpse in that car about that time. The
man seemed very much at home. He
whistled; he spit; he stroked his beard;
he threw round his huge arms, and chuck
led inwardly at the evident rage of the
woman. She left the cars at New Haven,
and had hardly gone before the gentleman


who was refused the seat reappeared-
To some gentlemen who seemed to take a
great interest in the proceedings he said:
did you see how that woman treated
me?" - Yes" - Did You see how she was
come up with?" g Yes" 80 Well, that man
is horse doctor that sat down beside her.
He belongs 10 Bulls Head. gave him
dollar to ride with that woman as far as
she went" The car roared.
Year: 1874

Are there not obligations laid upon
brothers? You are stronger than your
sister. Ought you not to spring to her aid
if she is doing something difficult or IA
tiguing. For instance, hOuse-cleaning
times are approaching, and there will be
pictures to hang, carpet to tack, shades
to put up, furniture to move from place to
place. and all sorts of back-breaking
and back-aching occupations for a week
or two. OF course " it isn't so pleasant
for fellow TO be around in those days,
and so a fellOw-pardon the expression,
but we've heard young gentlemen use it
often-unless he is very manly and un-
selfish, will be apt to think of engagements
out of the house. Let us whisper a secret
in your ear. He is a jewel among men,
who is never in the way when he Is not
wanted, and never out of the way when
he is. There are a great many little
things and big things which good son
and brother can do in domestic emergen-
cies if he only cares to make himself use
ful. If you live in the country, there is
many lift you can give to the women
folks in the way of carrying in wood,
bringing pals of water. and generally
lending hand.


Then, young man, if YOU are an elder
brother. bethink yourself sometimes. that
your sister may like to have you take her
out. rs well rs some of the other young la
dies of your acquaintance do. Jennie is
quite as pretty, quite rs well-bred, and has
quite as many capacities for enjoyment as
any other girl of her age. She would be
so pleased, if now and then you would in
vite her to go with you to Il lecture or a
concert, and you would, if you only tried
find out that an evening with your sister
would pass as agreeably, and perhaps
more restfully, than an evening with any
one else, not excepting even the dearest
and best girl in the world, whose image
is with you like guardian angel, and
whose name you always speak with rever-
ence and regard.
Year: 1874

We tried to get in


But could not do it;
So we bid you good night
Our dear Mister Jewett.
You needn't try to catch us,
For we have gone on the train,
And when we get short
We will call on you again.
Year: 1874

About three O'Clock yesterday afternoon as the
dummy OF the South Side Railroad was going
down south Fifth street. Williamsburg, 1t came
in collision with open car No. s. Of the Nostrand
avenue line. at the corner of Fifth street. almost
demolsn1np that car One of the passengers OF
the street car was thrown under the wheels OF the
dummy and crushed In terrible manner, recelv-
ing INJURIES IRON which he died in q few minutes.
Ocer Hicks Of the Fifth precinct, had the body OF
the man conveyed TO the station house on Fourth
street, and on beng searched a gold watch and
small sun Of money was found upon 1t.


From papers found upon his person 1t would
appear that the man is julius Stesch, doing bHsi-
ness with or living with Henry Schwartz, No. 306
broadway, New York.


James Townley, The driver OF the street car, was
thrown over the front part Of his car aud received
slight injuries After having his wounds dressed
by a physician, he was taken to the Fourth street
station house and locked up, as IL was stated that
the accident occurred through his recklessness IN
driving across the track OF the dummy, nOtwith.
standing he had received warning OF danger from
a nagman, preceding the dummy on horseback.
Coroner Wbltehill has taken charge Of the body Of
the man and will institute rigid investigation
Year: 1874

A WIDOWS WITNESS IL was told
of old that the cakle of goose once
saved Rome. 1t is now related that
swallow won a suit in court way down
in Texas. A poor widow and her daugh-
ter had suit for damages before a court
in Houston. The counsel tor the PLAIN
tiff introduced into his pleading the ia
BILE of the swallow that built her nest
and reared her young under the caves
of the temple OF justice. The lawyer en-
lareed upon the swallows trust in the
protection of her home the place affod-
ed, and very aptly made the application
to the case before the court. When the
counsel was about finishing his illustra-
ton swallow actually flew into the
room and alighted upon the Judges
desk. 1t then hoped away and found
rest for the sole OF its foot on the rail-
ing of the jury-box. In its circuit OF the
courtroom it halted awhile on pile Of
law books, then hoyered moment over
the heads of the plaintiffs, and flew out
of the window and away. The counsel
concluded by SAYING, "Behold the wit
ness" and as the witness could not be
called back by the opposing counsel,
the case was given to the jury pretty
much as the swallow left it. The jury
could not ignore the birds evidence,
and gave a verdict for the widow. The
story is little birdy, but not in the
least fishy. If it was apreconcerted plan
of the lawyer it was very happily ar
ranged aud nicely carried out, aud de.
serves place among court reports and
curious pleading.
Year: 1874

TAKEN IN AND Done FoR-Conf-
pence in human nature having been
ousted from metropolitan circles by the
reform movement, retired to Detroit
and took up its abode in the breast of
shopkeeper therein doing thriving
business in choice family groceries.
One day recently strange little boy,
shying casual missiles about in the spor-
tive innocence of youth, had the mishap
to break pane of glass in this worthy
tradesman's front window, and being
caught in the very act without
possibility of escape, did ululate his
contrition in such dismal fashion that
the compassionate grocer, both to wreak
physical vengeance on SO fair-spoken
an urcEin, and having moreover, as be-
fitted thrifty business man, an eye to
a possible commercial advantage to be
gained, bargained with the culprit that
he should work out the alleged value Of
the fractured pane by picking over five
bushels of potatoes then awaiting retail
customers in the cellar.


Thither the pair proceeded, and while
the grocer remained below he thought
he had never known 4 little boy to
work so industriously, and after he had
gone up stairs he thought he had never
known little boy to work so noiseless-
ly. After about quarter of an hour
be again descended TO see if the job
was nearly done, and then he found
that that strange little boy had taken
half dozen bars OF soap, jar of as
sorted pickles, several pounds of can
dies, and other sundries for family use,
and quietly walked away with them out
of back window.


And now this shopkeepers breast
again has unfurnished room to let, and
although the lst of May is past, conf
dence in human nature is vainly seeking
for another lodging.
Year: 1874

This is a strange, mysterious world


Say, don't you think so Bill
Where every man his foot does raise


TO help you down lifes hill =
l love indeed to see men kind


But then I'm not So flat
As TO desire from their soies


Such striking help as that.
This is a strange, mysterious world,


So all the ladies say
AS with bonnets trimmed with roses fair
They go to church to pray
And how provoked the dear souls are,


While sitting in their pew,
To be gazcd upon by nice young men,


Who've nothing else to do.
This is strange, mysteriou, world,


Where many sorrows grieve us;
And cen the women that we love


Are oft the first to leave us,
And then they say, to calm our grief,


''We love you as a brother,
And lavish soft, sweet words on US,


But kisses on another.
This is strange. mysterious world,


In which We live and thrive,
Where half the folks are starved TO death
To keep the rest alive;
Some are in want, and all have ills,


Yet seem to mind it not
But they grow grave when thoughts


intrude


About graveyard loft.
This is a strange, mysterious world
This rolling world of ours; e;
1t is-well really now, say it is


by the eternal powers"
We cannot meet well-tried friends
And with him take drink,
But some stiff temperance man will say,
We're on distractions brink.
Year: 1874

WONDERFUL PREsERvA vAroN.-Silum
Sellers, Esq, residing about mile from
Merose, in this county, has related to
us an account OF 4 very singular freak
of lightning which occurred at his resi-
dence during the terrific thunderstorm
of Tuesday evening, the 9Th of Septcm-
Der. The electric fluid struck the
chimney of his house, and ran down
about three feet through the studding,
coming in contact i'll its course with
some steel hoops belonging to the la
dies of the family, the wrapping around
which was set ablaze. The fluid then
passed across the window frame into
another piece of studding where there
were more hoops hanging, the wrap


ing of which, with some bags and a
little bundle of straw and papers, were
also set on fire; the blaze leaping out Of
the window and striking the roof. The
fluid then passed across the main build
ing into the dining room loft, in its
course dischargng two loaded guns that
were hanging on the side OF the wall.
From thence the lightning passed down
between the ceiling and the logs into
closet in the dining room, bursting out
and striking a sewing machine about
fourteen feet from the closet, penetrat-
ing the box and scattering the needles
over the room, and melting other por-
tions of the machine, setting the dining
room on fire about three feet above
where the machine stood. From thence
it passed down through the dining room
floor into the ground beneath. The
family were all at home, with the terri
bly, destructive flame of lightning thus
passing all around them. They were
shocked and stunned, of course, and all
lost their presence of mind except MIR.
Sellers, who saw the danger they were
in, and who promptly ran up stairs,
gathered up the clothing and other ma
terials which had been set on fire, and
threw them a Il ablaze out OF the garret
loft window. He then descended, got
water, and extinguished the fire. The
shock to his nervous system was very
great Mr.. Sellers is a praying man
and Christian, and was on bis knees
when the lightning came. He has al


ways been believer i'll the overrullng
providence of God, and the salvation OF
his family in this trying and fearful
emergency has confirmed him IN his
Observation-Disclosures Regisfer.