smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

There is some conflict as to the value
of the gold discoveries in the Black
Hills. official opinions ranging on the
safe side with those of the blessed peo-
pie who expect nothing. and therefore
will not have to cry-if anybody is dis
appointed. while sanguiae writer's from
The field Of exploration give a rich,
golden color to their dispatches. It is
evident that there is some necessity for
caution If it should appear beyond
doubt that gold in paying quantities is
to be found in the Black Hills. Al
ready suspicious movements are in pro-
gress among the Indians, and there is
some apprehension expressed among
bordermen as, to the likelihood of a
general Indian war. After all, the
Black Hills may cost more than the
country can well afford to pay.
Year: 1875




Mr.. Editor-Your correspondent Of
Saturday last, -. NJ. B., appears to
have been very forcibly Impressed with
the vague and artless manner 10 which
i wrote concerning the customs Of
dressing the children during the berry
season, 10 our neighborhood. / am
aware (but was not) Of the fact that as
a general rule the failure on the part Of
writer's is owisg to a redundancy Of
words in expressing their ideas, but in
nv case see marked ambiguity.
But lesson will be learned that will |
trust be indellible. As to his inquiry
in regard to their mode Of dress ut
other seasons it is useless to remark, is
as would be supposed crsditable to
all cultivated, intelligent parents, and
would do honor to a fashionable circle.
Those portions not clothed perhaps are
10 readiness for the dclugc predicted
some time since, and under the impress
sion Of being burdened by too much
clsthing are thus prepared. The rea-
son of their not dressing during berry
season (those not employed) is owing
perhaps to the fact that so much ine
clothes and costly apparel would lead
one to remark in the language Of "some
one, What means this vast array p
and also cause the minds Of some to
think deeply that there was lack Of
economy and good taste, We trust,
however. for the future that this will
be the means of causing more careful
investigation on the part Of those writ
ing. Thanking u NJ. B." kindly
and trusting he may 1.-Two long aud en-
joy the reflections Of past life; look
back in hoary age and think kindly Of
the old German and be who submits
himself Respectfully yours.
a,u So seHaF s HExIcoN. :.
Year: 1875




The compulsory education law goes into
operation in New York on the first of Janu-
AIRY, and the result of this experiment will
be watched with infinite interest every
where But we can hardly hope to gain
access to actual facts, as clearly ascertained
results, for many years. The system will
be in the hands of those whose bread is de-
rived from its maintcnapce and, like other ed
ucational deductions from the same source,
must be accepted with many grains of al
lowance. Where interest and necessity do
not blind the vision, there is wild enthu-
siasm that over.masters the pedagogue, and
his statistics are often untrustwOrthy. 1t
has been stated that knavery and training
in public schools go hand in hand, and that
q I" little learning" as inculcated by the
best public school system, is dangerous
thing" Prison statistics have been adduced
to show this fact, and equally well do these
same records Of penitentiaries demon
strate, in the hands of schoolmasters, the
proposition that the public school is the
gateway to the church and to paradise.
Mems opinions eryWhere are strangely
variant upon thissubject and it is only con


fessed that thorough moral and intellectual
training is most desirable, even as an end
of patriotism. The only question is how
best to attain desired results and whether
the compulsory school system will finally
transform the whole character of our civil
Institutions. The family is now the centre
of social power. BY this New York code
its unity is destroyed and the child is taught
to look up to the State, which is made to
stand an loco PARENTS. at last the State, as
In Bismarck's eyes, may become the god,
and the citizen bows before les majesty in
blind, besotted ensiavement Individuality
is destroyed and with it local freedom and
local and individual independence. Such
are objections naturally presenting them
selves to scheme of benefcence devised
by the best, if not the wisest men of the
age If the "household" in its integrity,
the 'family" in all its social forces may be
perpetuated and everybody educated by
law, the scheme, soon to be operative in
New York, may make that State as power
full in its intelligence as IN its riches and in
the number of its toiling people.
Year: 1875

We have mentioned the fact that about
seventy-fve immigrants reached this place q
day or two since, all of them anxious to set.
tie in the region tributary to Austin. The
Superintendent Of immigration, Gen. j. B.
Robertson, says that ten thousand could be
expected at this place between now and the
first of March, but that unless our people
take some steps to provide comfortable
home for them in passing, he must, of
necessity, advise them to go elsewhere. In
this connection, it may be well to mention
that almost every place OF any importance
on the rlilroad lines have provided such
homes, where immigrants have quarters to
go into, and hence are not forced to pay
exorbitant hotel bills. When in home
they can provide for themselves at one-tenth
of such cost. Texas expects much from i'm
migration, and the immigrant expects some
thing too. Every person who comes
amongst us adds that much more to the in
dependence and wealth of the State. Lands
are sold and leased or rented; stock is dis
posed Of; provisions are taken at a fair
price from the hand of the producer, and
can be as much benefited by the in


iux of population as any place, and yet
our people have never turned their attention
to offering inducements to bring people into
our midst. Certainly Austin ought to dous
much for immigrants as jefferson, Dallas,
Corsicana, Denison, Crockett, Palestine,
Hampstead, BRENNAN, or twenty other
places that might be mentioned, and yet
all these places have "bomes for 1mmi-
grants, where they are given comfortable
quarters and appliances by which they can
maintain themselves at light expense.
The people of Austin, especially those who
have lands to sell, or lands which will be
enhanced in value by the introduction Of
population, or who otherwise can be bene-
flied, should unite at once and take all the
steps required to make these newcomers
feel at home and anxious to remain among
us. We all know what such little civilities,
costing comparatively nothing, ere calcu-
lated to produce. 1t would be well, too,
for those interested to establish sort of in
telligence office in connection with the
home This would be of vast benefit TO the
community, and Gen. Robertson would
then take pleasure in cooperating with our
people He tells us that in day or two
more another large number will arrive, and
il these encouragements are placed in the
way, the influx viii become very great. We
honestly believe that our people will soon
get ashamed of their tarainess, and get
down to decent and proper work.
Year: 1875

the whole country, because Of the Presi.
dents empty bravado and ferocious mock
heroic proclamation, have lost caste and re
spectabiIity in the eyes Of wisdom and state
craft; and infinitely greater the degree OF
humiliation likely to befall the American
people and their government if its honor
and power be entrusted in New Orleans to
the iron hand Of wOOdsn-headed soldier,
as lawless and thUughtlesS as he is fearless,
and untitled, like his master, for the dis
charge OF civil duties.
Year: 1875




Not many days ago, the whole press Of
the country stood, hat in hand, bowling
reverently, in the presence of its oldest rep
resentative, William Cullen Bryant, on the
eightieth anniversary of his birth. Away
down in Texas we may be a few days late in
rendering our congratulations and asserting
proper appreciation of the worth and genius
of man whose moral qualities and personal
character are as faultless as his genius and
taste are admirable. OF all American jour
naIIsts there is not one whose fame is SO en-
viable. He is first of American poets and
most venerable of editors. After long
life of tireless toll his name is stainless BE
has been partisan too, and, in all his col
lisions with Greeley and Bennett aud
Beach, with Republicans on the tariff ques-
ton and with Democrats as to negro slavery,
he was never known to descend to offensive
personalities, and there was never seen or
read in the pages Of the Eoening Post sour
rilIous or vulgar utterance. We never con-
CURED in partisanship with Mr.. Bryant, but
esteemed his paper none the less, and, how
ever little he may value the opinion and
good viii Of a modest newspaper far away
from Gotham and from the central seat OF
the worlds opinion, he has been congratu-
lated by no newspaper more honestly or
earnestly than the Austin STATESMAN.
Year: 1875

The Sherman Courier opposes the cleo
ton of any number Of delegates at large.
II appeals TO supposed local prejddlces Of
ignorsnce, which alone could be wounded
by the assertion that three or four Of the
wlsest and most learned men in Texas might
all, by accident, live in the same county.
These are they TO whom the people would
assign the task of giving Texas a frame
work Of republican government.
Year: 1875

TIE good superintendent of the State
prison asks the people to send thither books
and newspapers. We doknoB a paper that
should be sent up. It has stolen from US
three times and IN the last instance it was q
clear case of grand larceny. A Corinthian
column, in broad daylight, was 6fted bodily
ont Of the temple of the STATESMAN and set
up in front of the dingy little shanty Of the
THAI ff
Year: 1875

ARREST OF A SUPPOSED PIcKPocKET.
saturday morning several suspicious
looking men were seen dancing down
the King street market and a Mrs.
Shakespeare was relieved of herpocket
book containing SO. Chief Brady and
Detective Woodward arrested one of


the men, who gave the name of Chas.


Fisher lie is now in the cells await


ing hearing
Year: 1875

The following from one Of our eS-
changes so fully and clearly expresses
our views on the subject, that we copy II
without comment: You have All un'
doubted right to stops newspaper when
ever you are disposed, upon payment OF
all arrearage. DO not hesitate to do 40
Oh account of any tenderness OF feeling
for the editor. Don't you suppose he'd
stop buying sugar of you, or meat, or
clothing, dry goods, etc, etc, II he
thought he was not getting his moneys
worth? And when You discontinue your
paper, do so manfully Don't be so pitlful
as to throw it back to the postmaster with
contemptuous don't want 1t any longer
and have refused written on the margin,
aud the paper returned to the editor. No
gentleman ever refused paper In that
way, no matter if his head is covered
with gray hairs that should be honorable
If you do not wish longer to receive a
newspaper, write note to the editor,
like a man, saying so--an be sure the ar
rearages are paid. This ia the way 10
stop newspaper.
Year: 1875

The currency question having been
disposed of, the people showing by
their votes that it had no hold in this
canvass, the Radical party now propose
u new issue. Unless the Radical party
is making trouble in the country, it is
out of business and its power gone
Therefore, to "dre the Northern heart"
is again TO be rcsorted to as the surest
plan to gain the third term, and to fire
the Northern heart, war is essential. =
The contracts, stealings, frauds, are
potent influences to carry elections,
and war for Cuba is the best scheme
that can be adopted to get contracts,
cover frauds and induce stealing.


The Radical party, therefore, is now
engaged in preparing war with Spain
to make Cuba free. This is the pre-.
text, but below the surface is the Grant
cry of Professionalism. a war with Spain
and war for religion are to be the
new issues on which Grant will force
the election and become dictator.
History repeating itsolt.


We trust that the next Congress will
institute and carry out to the furthest
limits investigations into the manner
the peoples money has been squan.
dered, discover the frauds, expose the
steslings, show up the frightful extrav-
agances OF the present Radical Admin
lstration before single dollar is voted
Tor any war, which will only add
greater taxation on an impoverished,
bankrupt country. Our industries are
now hardly able to bear the burden of
taxation imposed by the Radical party.
Before We so into more debt, let an
investigation be thorough into the
present abuses. When we know how
much money is yearly wasted or stolen,
We may be better able to add new
taxes for new war. We have idle
negroes enoughnow who are supported
by the money of the white labor of the
land, and war for Cuba will bring
into this country all the idle, worthless
negroes of Cuba who will look on the
Radical party as their protectors, and
who will ask for labor or the support
of the labor Of the white race in the
United States.


This war for Cuba may be a greater
disaster to us than TO Spain. If taxa.
tion is increased the bondholders
might find that at last reputation will
be the popular cry Of those who have
to toll to pay the interest upon these
bonds.


ldleness is suggestive power. as to
means for relief from suffering. Des.
titution is potent agency for devsing
remedies for lis causes. If the labor
can't pay taxes and support itself
without starving almost, then it won't
be difficult to raise the cry Cant pay.
Don't pay If money is to be souan.
dered on new war, let the people un
derstand first how much of their money
was squand.red in the last.


The bondholders had ut last care.
fully to examine this question before
they are placed between the present
milestone of taxation and the coming
millstone Of taxation, for between
these two they will be in danger of
extortion, extinction or Reputation.
Let the people know the frauds of this
Administration and its squandcring of
the peoples money, and then begin
to talk about more taxation for q new
war.
Year: 1875

CHICAGO, July 27.-This morning as the
express train on the Chicago and Rock Is
land railroad was crossing bridge east OF
this city the engineer observed man and
a supposed bundle. The man jumped to
the ground, a distance of fifteen feet.
The bundle proved to be boy, who was
struck by the engine and killed. The name
of the boy is unknown.
Year: 1875

SLIGHTLY MIsTkKEN-" Oh don't make
fool of yoArself; you tight now WAS
the audible exclamation OF female voice We
heard the other evening ss We We're passing
up the street. Thinking it might be an
up.town woman wheeling her - hubby
home through the darkness, We hastenrd on
in hopes of obtaining good item bur soon
discovered that it was couple OF young
ladies who had been down town shopping
and one OF them had bursted her ''pull-
bach" " loose, and they had only stopped to
repair damages The boys picked up plenty
of top strings the next morning
Year: 1875

SorR CEEAN.-Muny Il good housewife
has chuncd and worried over her cream,
which would not turn to butter Now. as
the season Of the year tor such yeXation is
approaching. we will give them sure
remedy. The difficulty is caused by the
acility of the cream; this may be nrutra-
llzed 10y an alkali. If Il tcaSpoonful of soda
is dissolved in little warm water and
poured into the churn, stirring all the while,
the difficulty will be overcome, and the
butter will soon form. The quantity of
Soda must be regulated by the quantity OF
cream; a tcaspoonful Will suffice for half a
gallon of cream.
Year: 1875

There Is Il story about a jolly doctor
calling on lady on hi WAY home from Il
dinner party, and being 50 full that he
could not count her pulse beat. Conscious
Of the cause of his difficulty lie, iii a
moment Of irritation. blurtsd out. 'Drunk.
by love. and rushed out Of the house.
The next day the lady sent for him, and
said that she lamcnted that he had dis
covered her condition. and begged that he
would keep her secret.
Year: 1875

PRESERVING CrT TFLowERs.-Rcmovct them
from the stems with a sharp knife. not with
scissors. which crush and bruise the stalks.
Put those with succulcnt stems into vases
Of water, where they will keep for ten days
if tho base of the flower stem is cut every
morning.
Year: 1875

OF course to do this We
" must figure closely,
orwe wouldlosc ourtradc,
but we always were will
ing to sell cheap.


This is the complaint
other houses makeagainst
us, but We do not care,
and therefore mark the
price on the tickets, for
that Is the only way peo-
pie can be certain they
buy at like rates with
their nciGhbors.
Year: 1875

Dick Cramer used to know.


"You are right" cried Ralph, a light
breaking in on him. ale pretended he
was Uncle Dick so as to get the money,
but he got more than he bargained for"
he added triumphantly.


The gray light of morning was slowly
breaking in the east, the clouds were
slowly rolling away, the snow lay piled
in pure white drifts in the yard and
road Ralph and Freddie stood at the
window anxiously watching for their
father.


"Papa's coming at length" cried Fred
die, joyfully.


"At last" said Bell, starting up and
glancing with a shudder in the direction
of the study.


"Ile's got another man with him, Un-
Gle Dick, I'll bet," said Ralph, as he
watched the horse punging through the
snow.


They soon entered the yard, and after
putting the horse up, they came stamp.
ing in.


Father !" Papa !" Burglar !" such
were the exclamations that greeted the
Judge as he entered the room.


allow what !" he exclaimed, and then
as his ear caught the word burglar" he
stepped quickly into the study, the rest
crowding after.


The window, which was near the
ground, was open; on the floor lay q
black wig, false whiskers and heavy
gray overcoat. The papers Of the desk
were piled in confused heap and the
money gone. There were spots of blood
on the carpet and on the window, and the
judge and his brother, for it was the real
Uncle Dick this time, followed the tracks
in the light snow and soon came to o
sheltered spot beside the road, where the
burglar had evidently hitched his horse
and came the rest of the way on foot.
They went back to the house and exam.
ined the coat. In the Inside breast
pocket they found an account book with
the name w. Andrill on the fly leaf; in
side was a note against the Judge for six
thousand dollars on the back Of the note
was scribbled the following:


"Judge-I thought to disguise myself,
come here and get your money, come
again tomorrow and present my note
bat your cursed boy check. mated me and
with my shoulder full of shot the game is
up. ANDRILL."


The judge sent to Norton Immediately,
but Andrill had disappeared, and as the
judge had his note he suffered no loss
but years after, when Ralph had grown
to be a man, and married, when the
judges little grandson would beg for a
story, he would take him on his knee and
tell him Of "Ralph's midnight adventure. y
Year: 1875

Prof. Crookes has made an interest.
ing discovery recently in regard to the mo.
tive power of light,which it is thought will
have an important bearing on the future
of general science. He made, according
to recent advices,a profound impression
upon the members of Royal Society of
London by his experiments. He showed
that light as distinguished from heat has
a motive power sufficient to cause deli.
cate wheel to revolve continually while
suspended in vacuum. The light of o
common candle at a distance Of twenty-five
inches,a and passed through an alum screen
to deprive it of heat,was enough to cause
revolutions of this little instrument, and
full daylight drives it with great velo.
city.
Year: 1875

There is a queer old fellow in North
field by the name Of Asher Graves. He
is ready wit The RepeiHe relates the
following of him:


He chanced to be at certain railroad
station, where he met Conductor Root
and another railroad official by the name
Of Bush. Knowing his proclivities, and
thinking to get little fun at his ex-
pense, one of them said to him "Asher,
if you will give us your idea Of heaven,
you may have free ride to the next
station"


The challenge was accepted, and Ash
er closed a somewhat faDciful portrayal
Of the regions of the blessed in these
words ut is undulating but smooth,
and entirely without Root or Bush"


1t is needless to say that Asher got his
ride.
Year: 1875

An old yet good story is told of an
hotel.keeper, who engaged handsome,
well-dressed barman, who parted his hair
in the middle, and wore a diamond ring
In two years thereafter the hotel-keeper
became insolvent, his establishment was
sold by the auctioneer, and the purchaser
was none other than the barman. Out of
compassion he engaged his old employer
to compound the insidlous cocktail and
the soothing smash. In two years more
the whirligig of time had brought about
his revenge, and the hotel was again sold.
This time the first proprietor bought it
back. But he did not re.epgage that bar.
man.
Year: 1875

To say that the greater q difficulty Is,
the harder is the effort that must over.
come il, is simply 20 utter tritc saying,
and yet the truth is one that is frequent
ly overlooked. This is not the case, how.
ever, in the town Of La Suer, Minnesota,
where the people, recognizing the fact
that if they don't fight the grasshoppers
they must feed them, have resolved upon
a vigorous and determined war. Accord.
ingly the town authorities have offered a
bounty of twenty cents per quart for dead
insects. The result is that men, women
and children have gone to work with
will, devising various ways of catching
and killing the pests, and earning little
fortunes. After school hours some Of
the boys earn from two to four dollars in
a day, the war having opened for them a
perfect bonanza. 1t is fun for them, but
death to the hoppers, and as other towns,
seeing the wisdom of the plan, are adopt
ing it, the prospect is that the Minnesota
Valley will eventually be relieved Of the
plague, Such course as this seems al.
ter all to be about the only remedy in such
cases, and while it involves much expense
at the outset pays in the end. A com.
bined movement against grasshoppers,
canker worm, catcrpillars or any other
plague in any district must necessarily
have good effect. 1t is only when q
man attempts to keep the plaques off from
his own lot while his neighbors allow
their vegetation to supply the reserve that
this one man must fight, that the task OF
fighting insects and worms is entirely
hopeless.
Year: 1875

When spectacles were first introduced
it was considered fashionable to wear
them, even by people who were not in the
least near-sighted In Spain they formed
a part of the costumes of every well bred
person. This absurd use of glasses was
meant to increase the gravity of the ap.
pearance and consequently the venera-
tion with which the wearer of them was
regarded, The glasses of the spectacles
were proportional in size to the rank oi
the wearer. Those worn by the Spanish
mobiles were as large as ones hand.
Year: 1875

The Irish language is fast disappearing
from the speech of the people in ireland,
and there are not many Of the native
youth who can even understand it. The
archaeological association of ireland has
asked the commissioners OF education to
preserve the Irish tongue from being
lost" and have it regularly taught in the
schools.
Year: 1875

A young man of Rochester, who was
severely injured by jumping from train,
was so annoyed by questions as to how
ne was hurt that he had large number
Of cards printed, which he gave out to
every one who looked inquiringly at his
face or said a word about it, The card
read as follows Busted this nose in
jumping from train of cars near Fair
port, Thursday, April 90"
Year: 1875

Josh Billings gives the following ad.
vice When you hear man say Life is
but dream, tread on his toes and wake
him up, Life is real, life is earnest If
he is a poet, subscribe to get rid of him,
and have him deposited 10 the far West
with gun and ammunition. and blan.
ket for sole covering he will know very
soon whether life is dream or not.